Recognizing the strategic importance of human resources in the process of improving operational efficiency, revenue collection and stakeholder’s engagement, the Malawian Revenue Authority (MRA) has attached particular importance to the modernization of its human resource management system. To this end, the WCO successfully delivered in hybrid format a five day workshop on competency-based HRM under its Executive and Professional Competency Based HRM Programme (EPCB-HRMP) and with the financial support of the Sida-WCO Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization Programme. The workshop was delivered from 22 to 26 November, 2021 by WCO CMA-HRMD accredited expert from Liberia and WCO expert.

This workshop focused on building the capacity of the Modernization Working Group to develop and implement the competency based tools and empower the Human Resources Department (HRD) to play the role of a strategic partner and credible activist within the MRA. This team of highly motivated staff led by the Acting Director of Human Resources was made up of thirty-one participants of which fourteen were from the HRD, and one subject matter expert each from  Enterprise Risk Management, Modernization, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Institute of Tax Administration, Customs, Debt Management, Corporate Affairs, Tax Investigation, Policy, Planning and Research, Domestic Taxes, Legal, Admin, Information and Communications Technology and two participants from Internal Audit.   

During the sessions, the MRA team participated actively and exhibited a high level of commitment to developing and implementing the competency-based HRM tools. The HRD also pledged its commitment to become strategic partners since they were now aware of the roles of HRD in the organization. It is expected that the Modernization Working Group will develop a realistic and measurable modernization work plan that will highlight a pilot project and implementation schedules.

On the other hand, the WCO has committed to continue providing its capacity development support, especially to the finalization and the implementation of a competency-based HRM system and the achievements of its modernization goals.  

For more information on this mission and the WCO's people development agenda, please, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.