Operations
COMMUNICATIONS & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Purpose
To provide a communications and external relations plan of action that supports the Department’s ability to fulfil its mandate.
Targeted outputs
- The printing and publishing of all statutory reports within the required timeframes, as well as the production of other publications for the Department
- Effective media relations which include media briefings, articles, statements and monitoring
- Effective communications strategies and polices including a media policy, national energy savings strategy and economic cluster communications strategy
- Coordination of events to support successful projects of the core units
- Effective assistance to Minister, the D-G and the Department in their International Relations activities.
Achievements
- The annual report and strategic plan were tabled in Parliament on the due dates
- The media policy and cluster communications strategies were approved
- The successful hosting of a celebratory event to mark the land claims settlement with Alexkor and the community of Richtersveld in Alexander Bay
- The first phase of the national energy savings campaign commenced during the period under review: it set the tone for Government communications around energy efficiency
- A number of foreign delegations were hosted by the Minister, the Director-General and the Department, which included delegations from the United States, France, Germany, Spain and South Korea.
- Assistance with coordinating the Department’s visits to amongst others, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland.
ADMINISTRATION AND FACILITY
Purpose
To provide a safe and secure environment in which staff (internal clients) are provided with essential support services.
Targeted outputs
- The installation of an upgraded fire detection system in the departmental offices.
- Procuring access to the LEXISNEXIS and JUTASTAT websites.
- The completion of an energy-saving project within the department.
Achievements
- The first and major phase of the installation of a fire detection system in all departmental offices has been completed during the financial year 2008/09.
- Inclusion of LEXISNEXIS and JUTASTAT websites to the fully functional library web page available on the DPE intranet.
- The implementation of the energy-saving project was completed and by the end of the financial year the Department saved up to 49% on electricity consumption measured against March 2008 as a base line.
FINANCe AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Purpose
To provide the department with sound financial management, a transparent and equitable procurement environment and achievement an unqualified audit
Targeted outputs
- Unqualified report without emphasis of matter
- Timeous submission of Adjusted Estimates, Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) to National Treasury
- Compliance with all prescribed procurement processes
- Invoices paid within prescribed 30 day period
- An accurate asset register.
Achievements
- Unqualified audit achieved
- Adjusted Estimates, MTEF and ENE were submitted on due date
- No irregular expenditure
- 30 day prescripts for payment achieved
- The asset register was updated.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Purpose
To analyse the skills needs of the DPE, identify scarce skills and initiate training programmes to upskill and provide the necessary training in these areas, as well as to recruit and retain staff.
Targeted outputs
- The identification of priority training needs
- The implementation of training programmes
- An effective staff retention strategy.
Achievements
- An approved list of training needs was developed
- Training implemented in certain areas
- The retention strategy and policy was approved and the Department is currently in consultation with DPSA on current legislative requirements.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
Purpose
Purpose
To provide the department with a user-friendly, stable, reliable and secure IT environment that conforms to minimum industry standards.
Targeted outputs
- The installation of a firewall
- The development of the SOE dashboard
- The installation of software at reception for screening visitors
- The enhancement of the Local Area Network (LAN) configuration.
Achievements
- The firewall was installed and is fully functional
- The SOE dashboard was developed: Phase 1 and 2
- The reception software has been installed and is functional
- The LAN has been stabilised.
INTERNAL AUDIT & COMPLIANCE
Purpose
To provide support to the executive of the Department and in so doing, to provide management with an impartial opinion, as well as practical and cost-effective solutions to assist the Department in mitigating business risks and achieving its objectives.
Targeted outputs
- Effective risk management process within DPE
- The development of a three-year strategic plan aligned to risk assessment reports, the strategy of the Department and Auditor-General’s findings.
Achievements
- The Risk Register was approved and quarterly risk management reports have been implemented
- The Internal Audit strategic plan has been approved.
- The Departments’ Integrated Fraud and Anti-corruption strategy has been approved.
