Dimension: 1.1.4 Administrative autonomy
This dimension concerns the extent to which parliament has an independent parliamentary administration that allows MPs, staff and parliamentary offices to function effectively. Administrative autonomy includes independence over the organization of parliamentary services and the recruitment of parliamentary staff. It implies that the relevant parliamentary official or body has the power to:
- define the organizational structure of parliament
- establish or rearrange units necessary for parliament’s effective operation of the parliament,
- to manage its own staff (see also Indicator 1.5: Administrative capacity and independence).
The services managed by the parliamentary administration typically include the parliamentary premises, IT systems, human resources, communications and media, archiving and public records, supplies and equipment, ethics and conduct regulations, and other services as needed by members and staff, such as health care, commissary and food.
In most cases, the parliamentary administration is overseen by a non-partisan Secretary General Secretary General Typically the most senior permanent officer of parliament, who advises on procedure and records the decisions of the house. This person is also usually the administrative head of the parliamentary administration. In some institutions, the role of Secretary General and the responsibilities listed here may be performed by more than one individual or by several offices of jurisdiction. or by a general services office. This role operates independently of the executive, and is elected or appointed by, and accountable to, parliament.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Legal framework
The legal framework provides for parliament’s administrative autonomy, enabling parliament to organize and staff its administration independently and to exercise effective control over the precincts in which its premises are located.
No 2: Management
The parliamentary administration is overseen by a non-partisan, objective individual or office, such as a Secretary General, who is exclusively appointed or elected by, and accountable to, parliament.
No 3: Non-partisan administration
A clear distinction exists between non-partisan staff serving parliament itself, and partisan staff who support individual members and parties.
How to complete this assessment
This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based.
The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:
- Provisions from the legal framework establishing an independent legislative branch
- Provisions from laws or rules of procedure establishing a framework for an independent parliamentary administration
- The existence of non-partisan administrative offices that are independently managed, resourced and staffed by parliament alone
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
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Get help with this assessment
The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators.
Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.
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