Encyklopedia Administracji Publicznej MW Pivot Skin

PROFESSIONALISM – means such an organisation of work that plans, organises and supervises the performance of the tasks of public administration officials by defining priorities and objectives while optimizing the use of available resources. Professionalism includes the principles of continuous improvement of professional competences, including the obligation to develop knowledge and professional qualifications, planning for one’s own professional development, the ability to analyse one’s own training needs, track changes in the performance of tasks and supplement knowledge in the given scope, implement knowledge acquired during trainings, draw conclusions from the mistakes made, as well as evaluations and comments of experienced colleagues, engagement in new projects. Learning and training of public administration officials is essential to sustain the professionalism. In this context, the initial stage of the training process is vital in transforming jobseekers and those who have successfully passed the competition process – into professionals who are aware of → public service mission, that are willing to take on social responsibility and respect ethical values and who present active civil attitude. The elements of p. encompass good behaviour, personal culture, including word culture, especially important for public administration officials, i.e. those who have daily contact with the client/citizen. P. on the managerial positions is expressed in that the supervisor skilfully assigns the tasks and coordinates their optimal performance, defines requirements, precisely defines the objectives of the activity, defines priorities and responsibilities for their execution, adjusts plans and organisation of work to changing circumstances, effectively manages time (tasks are completed on time), evaluates the work in terms of desired results, knows and is able to assess the potential of his subordinates, uses new technologies to improve efficiency. P. of supervisors consist in creating appropriate work conditions for his/her subordinates, proper organisation of work, motivation of subordinates, coordination and proper assignment of tasks, care for professional development. In an officer’s relationship with a citizen, p. means effective and efficient provision of services to the client/citizen, who is either direct recipient of the services, or a taxpayer interested in the provided public services and their effects. The principles of the law are mainly contributing to creating the bases of professional public administration, but equally important are political decisions and ethical canons [ J. Itrich-Drabarek ].

Literature: J. Itrich-Drabarek, The Civil Service in Poland – Theory and Experience, Frankfurt am Main 2015 ■ J. Itrich-Drabarek, Etyka zawodowa funkcjonariuszy służb państwowych [Professional ethics of the state officials], Warszawa 2016.