VIRTUAL COFFEE BREAK (Recording)

The evolution of senior civil service systems is pivotal for enhancing governance and public sector efficiency. In his research, Rafael Leite explores the maturity of senior executive management frameworks in German federal states (Länder), with an emphasis on leadership development, recruitment processes, and operational autonomy.

Germany presents a unique case due to its decentralized administrative structure and historical resistance to Anglo-Saxon public management paradigms. While its federal government lacks a standardized senior civil service system, certain Länder demonstrate innovative approaches, such as structured leadership frameworks and competency-based recruitment models. This project applies a tailored analytical framework to assess how these subnational initiatives address leadership challenges in increasingly complex governance environments. By examining practices at the state level, the study aims to enrich global discourses on public service reform, offering valuable insights for governments navigating decentralization, particularly in the Global South. This comparative lens highlights Germany's potential as a model for cultivating senior civil service systems that balance political accountability with professionalization, while acknowledging regional variations and historical legacies.

Our Speaker