DFID Human Resources Strategy Committee (HRSC)
Terms of Reference
Introduction
DFID’s Human Resources Strategy Committee (HRSC) is a sub committee of DFID’s Management Board (MB).
Its role is to take a corporate view of DFID’s Human Resources policy and practice to ensure that they are contributing as effectively as possible to the Public Service Agreement and Service Delivery Agreement.
- In particular the Committee is responsible for determining (or recommending to the MB) the corporate view in the following areas: Staff Resourcing (recruitment and retention, selection and assessment, grading, succession planning though it will not consider matters relating to financial resource allocations);
- Diversity & Equal Opportunities (the Committee is responsible for considering DFID’s annual Diversity Report & other diversity and equal opportunity issues);
- Talent Management (Staff Training, Personal Development Performance Management, Management Development, HR aspects of organisational learning and knowledge); The Committee does not consider matters which, although operationally the responsibility of HRD, fall within the remit of other established bodies such as the Honours Committee or the SCS Management Group. The HRSC keeps the MB informed of changes it authorises, and makes recommendations to the MB for major changes that have an impact on DFID's strategic direction, performance management or reputation. The Chair of the HRSC also has discretion to refer any matter to the MB. At the discretion of the Chair, the Committee may be invited to play a role in respect of DFID's response to any significant central initiatives and to internal HR matters.
How it acts
It acts in one of three ways:
- Taking collective ownership of and receiving updates on key aspects of DFID’s HR agenda;
- A forum for HRD to consult when working upon changes to HR business processes or HR policies;
- Providing more proactive guidance to HRD and acting as a decision making authority;
When in discussion, each member of the Committee may express their view. At the end of the discussion, the Chair summarises the Committee’s conclusions.
Consultation with DFID employees
DFID employees can feed in comments on issues considered by the Committee either through the author of the paper or through their Director. From time to time, the Committee may hold an informal consultation with staff on a specific agenda item, prior to the meeting.
Membership
The Human Resources Committee comprises:
- Director-General Corporate Performance (Chair);
- All DFID Directors;
- Head of Corporate HR Advisory Group (CHRAG);
- Head HR Operations;
- A representative of the Heads of Profession;
At the discretion of the Chair, one or more non-executive members (who may be external to DFID) may be invited to attend for particular purposes and members may nominate named alternates to represent them when they are unable to attend meetings.
Secretariat
Responsibility for the HRSC secretariat lies with the Business Management Information Unit (BMIU) in HR. They will also draft the HRSC report for submission to the MB, through the HRSC chair each year. The HRSC will invite the Diversity and SAIC groups to comment on the draft annual report.
Meetings
Meetings are called at the discretion of the Chair but normally take place about once per quarter.
Last updated: 17 July 2008
