IVORY COAST: In the framework of the West African Customs Administrations Modernization (WACAM) project, funded by Sweden, a support mission to Burkina Faso in the field of Human Ressource Management (HRM) was carried out by the WCO from the 8th to the 15th of December 2014.
This mission was a follow-up of the support that has been provided under the WACAM project to ECOWAS Member-Administrations since 2013. The project has already enabled Burkina Faso to develop critical modern HRM tools such as a competency framework, a dictionary of competencies and job descriptions based on best practices.
This mission’s objective was to especially focus on change management through the delivery of a tailored communication campaign targeted to the Customs Administration at the national level and to Burkina Faso’s public. As a result, information and awareness-raising sessions were held throughout the country (Customs Headquarters and regional offices) and benefited over 210 customs officers from all services and grades. During these sessions, the participants not only welcomed the HRM modernization efforts but also voiced their keen interest in such efforts through relevant questions. Discussions targeted key issues such as remuneration, career development and performance measurement. It is important here to note that the on-going delivery of this campaign also contributes to preparing the ground for the next activity, which will require the involvement of regional offices to identify competency gaps at the national level.
In order to promote the importance of HR modernization in public administrations and the progress accomplished by the Customs administration of Burkina Faso, a press conference was held for representatives of the local media and attended by the Director of Human Resources of the Ministry of Finance.
The mission also enabled the Customs administration of Burkina Faso to finalize and endorse all new HRM tools.
