Foundational In-service Training Phase II (FIT++ Administrative Service)

Introduction & Rationale

The FIT Phase II – Competency Based Professional Development for Administrative Service Program is designed for the selected candidates from Bhutan Civil Service Examination for the Administration Services and it is housed in the Department of Management Development (DMD). The focus of the program is to produce competent and professional public servants for administrative services such as Planning Officers, Human Resource Officers, Gewog Administrative Officers, Research Officers, Program Officers etc.

Considering the overall transformation in the country and in particular the civil service reforms, the FIT Phase II – Competency Based Professional Development for Administrative Service Program is a new version of the existing Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (PGDPA) course and will replace the year-long PGDPA program. The program covers Tier II competency development of civil servants which is applicable and required for those working under the same job family.

Principles and Competencies

The FIT Phase II program will be guided by the following principles:

1. Shift from academic knowledge to skills and competency development required at the workplace;
2. Learning to be driven by self-reflection, curiosity, and a growth mindset for progressive development through the pursuit of lifelong learning;
3. Learning processes to integrate on-the-job and classroom learning to optimize time use;
4. Assessments are to be an integral part of the program to monitor and evaluate the learning and development and ensure the commitment of participants; and
5. Develop generic competencies for the job under the Administrative Service category.

With the paradigm shift from traditional qualifications to competencies in the workplace internationally, the current FIT Phase II intended to develop the generic competencies required for the administrative Service as detailed in the table:

Target Participants

The FIT++ program is intended for the civil servants selected for administrative services in the PMC category. The participants consist of Human Resource Officers, Planning Officers, Research Officers, Programme Officers, Industry Officers, Gewog Administrative Officers, Transport Officers, Integrity Promotion Officers etc.

Objectives 

The objectives of the FIT Phase II: Competency Based Professional Development for Administrative Services Program (FIT Phase II) are :

• Develop the common competencies required for administrative service occupational groups in the civil service based on competency-based framework,
• Inculcate the values to pursue life-long learning including the use of technology for personal and professional development; and
• Provide opportunities for collaborative learning and team building both vitually and on-site.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the training program, the participants should:

1. Recognize political, economic, social and administrative issues of the country and world at large in the changing contexts and emerging democracies and apply these in the governance and administrative function;
2. Develop competencies (KSA) in public policy, strategic planning, project management, governance and applied research;
3. Relate and apply the common competencies (KSA) required for the administration services occupational groups; and
4. Foster 21st century leadership skills to lead the team toward the organizational and national goals.

Program Delivery & Pedagogy

The program will consist of pre-onsite, onsite, and post-onsite components and is delivered in the RIM. The onsite learning will be conducted in the Royal Institute of Management, Semtokha, Thimphu and the pre-onsite and post onsite component would be conducted at the place of work. The whole program is conducted on a blended modality consisting of lecturers, role plays, case studies and group works.

The program follows an experiential learning process. It is designed and will be delivered by experts in their areas and uses a combination of presentations, discussions, practical sessions, reviews and feedback mechanisms. Considering the needs of 21st Century learning and encouraging lifelong learning, the participants will be introduced to online courses as well. The FIT Phase II program, for Administrative Service is therefore designed in three phases namely pre-onsite learning, onsite learning and post-onsite learning as detailed below:

• Pre-onsite Learning (10 Days): Completion of online courses/reading materials followed by quizzes/forum discussions etc. as prerequisites for the modules offered.
• Onsite learning (31 Days): Class group discussions/presentations/case studies etc.
• Post-onsite learning (3.5 months): Completion of group projects on public service delivery.

Program Structure

Assessment of Participants and Program Evaluation 

The assessment for the FIT Phase II program is mainly aimed at fostering learning and will focus more on formative assessment although some summative assessments will also be carried out for some modules to encourage the participants’ complete pre-readings. The assessment for each phase of learning will be carried out as given below:

• Phase 1 – Pre-onsite Learning: Completion certificates of online courses/quizzes for the readings.
• Phase 2 – On-site learning: Class group discussions/presentations/case studies etc.
• Phase 3 – Post-onsite learning: Completion of Research Project.

Participants’ feedback shall be sought after every session along with overall feedback which will be analyzed and shared with the facilitators for improvement of the modules and delivery.

Attendance requirements

Participants are required to maintain 100% attendance in each module to be eligible for the certificate, however, 90% will be considered in case of medical and other genuine personal problems such as loss of immediate family members, etc.

Certificate of Eligibility

To be eligible for the “Certificate of Completion” in the FIT Phase II program, the following requirements must be met:

• Secure a minimum requirement of 60% grades in each module upon completion of all three phases of learning and assessment requirements;
• Obtain at least 90% attendance in each module;
• Provide/complete faculty evaluation and module assessment upon completion of the module; and
• Provide overall course feedback at the end of the course.
• No adverse record filed/issued during the attendance of the course.

Upon fulfillment of the above requirements, the completion certificate will be graded as follows for the interpretation of marks obtained. No certificate will be issued for those  securing from 0 – 59%.

Exceeding (Ex)                       86% –  100%

Advancing (Ad)                      76% –  85%

Meeting (Me)                          60% – 75%

Exceeding (EX): The learner has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the contents and can apply this at any given time because of the achievement of high level of competencies of processes and skills.

Advancing (Ad): The learner has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the contents and a relatively high level of competency in the processes and skills and is able to apply these in most situations.

Meeting (Me): The learner processes foundational and functional knowledge and understanding of the main areas of contents with adequate level of competency in the processes and skills.