Mugabe wants the performance of top government officials evaluated

President Robert Mugabe wants the performance of top government officials evaluated and government departments, state enterprises and local authorities to implement results based strategic planning as he seeks to improve service delivery within the public sector, Mugabe's office recently said in a statement.

Consultants will conduct independent evaluations of the performances of heads of ministries (permanent secretaries) under a performance contract system and provide feedback and insight to strengthen the system ahead of ensuing financial years.

"The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct an independent evaluation of individual performance of heads of ministries/ secretaries and overall performance of the ministries they work for, including a determination of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the same and to provide  recommendations for enhancement of performance management, including the performance contract tool itself and the systems and processes for its implementation," according to a statement from the modernization department in Mugabe's office.

Although the government instituted the results based management system six years ago, the performance of heads of ministries has, to a great extent, been left to the scrutiny of parliamentary portfolio committees during public hearings.

Consultants will be required to assist public agencies, including Parliament, the judiciary, state commissions, universities and statutory funds in developing strategic plans, with the overall objective being to strengthen the entities' role in implementing government plans.