State Department: Overseas Staffing Process Not Linked to Policy Priorities
NSIAD-94-228
Published: Sep 20, 1994. Publicly Released: Oct 24, 1994.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of State's staffing at overseas posts, focusing on: (1) the process used by State to determine how many of its U.S. diplomatic personnel are needed at each location; (2) State's efforts to improve this process; and (3) the process State used to identify the 17 posts closed in 1993 and 1994.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should fully integrate an objective, quantifiable staffing methodology into State's overseas budgeting and staffing processes to help ensure a sound basis for allocating personnel resources in line with U.S. interests overseas. A revised version of the baseline staffing methodology, which State has been developing for the past 4 years, could be used. |
Closed – Implemented
State completed its staffing model and used it in fiscal year (FY) 1999 to request 40 new overseas positions. In FY 2000, overseas posts will be required to use the staffing model in the mission program planning process to link resources to performance goals.
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Topics
DiplomatsForeign policiesStaff utilizationPersonnel managementEmbassiesHuman capital managementPublic officialsForeign policyLabor forceNational security