Agencies, Directorates, and Units: Exploring Structure, Roles, and Responsibilities
Understanding Organizational Divisions and Their Roles in Effective Operations and Governance
- Departments
- Units
- Agency
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Departments and Units
The Office of the Head of Civil Service operates through well-defined
Departments and specialized units designed to ensure effective
coordination, supervision, and delivery of its broad mandates. Each Department plays a strategic role in policy formulation, human resource management, and administrative efficiency, thereby strengthening the overall performance of the State Civil Service. Administration and Human Resource Department As a core service Department common to both parastatals under the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the Administration and Human Resources Department manages the human and material resources of the institution. It oversees staff recruitment, posting, promotion, and discipline in line with established public service rules. The department handles staff records, welfare, logistics, and general office administration, including registry and correspondence services.
It also ensures compliance with administrative procedures, supports the conduct of management meetings, and coordinates staff development programs in liaison with the Training Department. By maintaining an efficient and motivated workforce, the Department upholds
professionalism, discipline, and effective service delivery across the Office and its parastatals. Finance and Accounts Department
Also, a service Department across both parastatals of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the Finance and Accounts Department is responsible for sound financial management and control. It prepares and monitors the Office’s annual budgets, manages all receipts and expenditures, and
ensures adherence to financial regulations and public accounting
standards.
The Department processes payments, maintains books of accounts, and prepares financial statements and reports for internal and external audit purposes. It also advises management on budgetary performance, expenditure control, and cost efficiency while liaising with the Ministry of Finance, Auditor-General, and other oversight bodies.
Through transparent fiscal management, it safeguards public funds and ensures accountability in the use of government resources. Planning, Research, and Statistics Department This is another service Department that operates across two parastatals under the Office of the Head of Civil Service. It serves as the analytical research, and data management.
The Department develops strategic and operational plans, conducts surveys and studies to inform policy decisions, and monitors the performance of programs and reforms. It maintains a centralized database of workforce statistics, prepares annual performance reports, and coordinates research activities that support evidence-based policy development.
goals and outcomes. Training and Staff Development Department
Under the Establishment, Training, and Development Parastatal of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the Training and Staff Development Department is dedicated to enhancing the capacity and professionalism of civil servants through continuous learning and retraining. It identifies training needs across all MDAs, develops training plans, and implements capacity-building programs that align with the State’s reform agenda. The department also partners with training institutions and development partners to organize courses, workshops, and leadership programs aimed at improving service delivery. It oversees staff induction, reorientation, and career development activities. Through its initiatives, the department ensures that the Zamfara State Civil Service remains adaptive, skilled, and responsive to emerging governance demands.
Establishment and Pension Matters Department Under the Establishment, Training, and Development Parastatal of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the Establishment and Pension Matters Department manages the formulation, interpretation, and implementation of establishment policies, including conditions of service, schemes of service, and organizational structures. It ensures uniformity in personnel management across
MDAs and advises on matters relating to employment, discipline, and disengagement. The Department also handles pension administration, including verification, computation, and documentation of retirees’ entitlements in collaboration with the State Pension Commission. Its work guarantees transparency, equity, and sustainability in the management
establishment and pension matters, ensuring that retirees are treated with fairness and dignity.
Internal Audit Unit the Internal Audit Unit operates as an independent control mechanism within the OHoS, responsible for ensuring compliance with financial rules, regulations, and best practices. It conducts periodic audits of the Office’s accounts, payrolls, and procurement processes to detect irregularities and prevent financial mismanagement. The Unit provides recommendations to management on improving internal control systems, safeguarding assets, and minimizing risks. By promoting transparency and accountability,
the Internal Audit Unit strengthens financial discipline and ensures that the resources of the Office are used for their intended purposes.
Procurement Unit
The Procurement Unit ensures that all goods, works, and services procured by the Office comply with the Zamfara State Public Procurement Law and relevant guidelines. It prepares and executes procurement plans, coordinates bid processes, evaluates tenders, and ensures value for money in contract execution.
The unit also maintains procurement documentation and liaises with the State Bureau of Public Procurement to ensure due process and compliance with statutory provisions. By upholding transparency and efficiency in procurement,
the unit supports effective service delivery and prudent
resource utilization within the Office and its parastatals.
AGENCIES AND UNITS UNDER THE OFFICE
The Office of the Head of Civil Service oversees key parastatals that complement its core functions in policy formulation,
human resource
management, and institutional reform. These agencies operate under its supervision to ensure the effective delivery of government policies and the strengthening of the state civil service system.
Establishment and Human Resources Development Parastatal
The Establishment and Human Resources Development Parastatal functions as a critical arm of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, operating from a remote location distinct from the main office complex. It serves as the technical and coordinating destination for all establishment-related matters across MDAs. Its mandates include formulating, reviewing, and interpreting civil service rules, regulations, and schemes of service; handling labour and industrial relations matters; managing recruitment, promotion, and disciplinary procedures;
and ensuring
compliance with conditions of service. The parastatal is also responsible for coordinating and implementing staff training and capacity development programmes for all MDAs, in partnership with local and international training institutions. Furthermore, it conducts workforce planning, succession management, productivity enhancement initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, professionalism, and motivation among civil servants. Through these responsibilities, the parastatal plays a central role in building a competent, ethical, and development-driven public service in Zamfara State.
Zamfara State and Local Government Pension Commission
The Zamfara State and Local Government Pension Commission is a specialized parastatal under the supervision of the Office of the Head of Civil Service. It operates from a remote location outside the permanent office complex of the Office of the Head of Civil Service and is exclusively responsible for the management and administration of pension matters for both State and Local Government employees in Zamfara State. The Commission’s core mandate is to ensure the prompt and accurate computation, verification, and payment of pensions, gratuities, and other retirement benefits to eligible retirees. It maintains comprehensive
pension records, processes retirement documentation, and provides advisory services on pension policies and reforms. Additionally, it works closely with the Office of the Head of Civil Service to ensure compliance with existing pension laws and guidelines, while also aligning the State’s pension administration with national frameworks such as the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Beyond benefit administration, the Commission also monitors the sustainability of pension funds, conducts periodic audits to prevent fraud and leakage, and ensures the welfare and dignity of retirees through transparent and accountable pension management. Through these functions, the Zamfara State and Local Government Pension Commission plays a critical role in upholding the integrity of the civil service system and reinforcing public confidence in the Government’s commitment to its retired workforce.




