U.S.-Ukraine Foundation hosts Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation (12/17/06)

U.S.-Ukraine Foundation hosts Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation

Washington - As part of the Project to Assist Ukraine's Civil Service Reform, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation hosted delegates from Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 12-17 to discuss ways to improve Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Ministry operations by using the best practices based on the United States experience.

The delegates from Ukraine were Yuriy Yarmilko, deputy director of personnel management at the Foreign Affairs Ministry; and Dmytro Senik, third secretary of the Personnel Department at the ministry.

During the week, the delegates met with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Avue Technologies; Ambassador Anthony Quainton, former director general of the Foreign Service; Myra Shiplett, director of the Center for Human Resources Management for the National Academy of Public Administration; George Nesterczuk, the project's technical consultant; Jack Heller, the project's senior advisor; and Nadia McConnell, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation president.

Issues discussed included the Foreign Affairs Ministry's recruitment and selection of applicants, training of the workforce, placement of employees in the right job at the right time, performance management, strategic planning, and the use of information technology to better support-decision making.

Commenting on the quality of the meetings, Mr. Yarmilko stated: "The visit was very useful. Our meetings gave us an opportunity to get acquainted with a tried and tested system of personnel management: the selection, rotation and evaluation of employees. It is without a doubt that some of this expertise may be used in the foreign service of Ukraine. We believe that this project is beneficial for both of our sides. We would like to thank the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and its president, Nadia McConnell, for organizing this trip and supporting a project to implement modern methods of personnel management in Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

This was the third delegation from Ukraine over the past five months as part of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation's Project to Assist Ukraine's Civil Service Reform. The project is designed to assist Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and civil service in improving their personnel management systems. The 18-month program is funded by the Fund for Democracy and Development, using funds derived from a monetization program at the Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Nesterczuk commented: "I am very pleased with the discussions and consultations this week because we were able to examine in detail the specifics of some significant administrative reforms. I believe we are now ready to proceed with the next phase of the project, which is to provide support for implementation of agreed to reforms."

What is next for the project? "Shortly the foundation will consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on an implementation plan to phase in their proposed changes and to facilitate acceptance of the proposed reforms," Mr. Nesterczuk explained.

For further program information from the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, readers may contact Marta Matselioukh at [email protected] or 202-223-2228 or visit http://www.usukraine.org/foreign_affairs.shtml.

| Home Page |