Women rise in public service

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i 21 January 2019, 12:00AM

Most senior executive positions within Samoa’s public service are occupied by women.

But high-level positions such as that of a Government Ministry Chief Executive Officer continues to be dominated by men.

This was highlighted in the Public Service Commission Annual Report for 2016-2017, which looked at 328 senior executive positions that come under the Public Service Commission (PSC).

According to the report, female executives in Samoa occupy 58.4 per cent of executive management positions versus 41.6 per cent males. However, the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) continues to be male-dominated, despite efforts at the policy level to ensure balance.

“Interestingly, at the highest level of senior executive positions, there are 12 male CEOs versus seven females. 

The gender representation are as follows,"CEO positions continue to be male dominant, even though recruitment policies embrace more equal competition,” stated the PSC-authored report.

Female executives dominate the second tier of Government management positions, from Assistant Chief Executive Officers and manager/consultant positions. There is also a heavy female presence in primary and secondary school principal and vice-principal positions.

“The composition is heavy towards positions of responsibilities, which includes secondary and primary level school principals and vice-principals with a total of 215. 

“The ACEO level makes up 39 per cent of the senior executives at a total of 148. The remaining 5 per cent is made of the CEO level which is at 19. 

“The overall number of senior executive is reflective of incumbents, excluding positions that are vacant at the end of the fiscal year,” the report stated.

There is a slight increase in the number of Government executives for the Financial Year 2016-2017, added the report, compared to data from the previous Financial Year 2015-2016.

“The position of responsibilities data for represent the largest number of senior executive and further reflects the proportionate number of older employees – when compared to other levels. 

“This is evident with 126 of position of responsibilities are above the age of 50. This is a significant variation from the age skills and abilities, personal attributes, experience and qualification.  

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i 21 January 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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