Official Portal Public Service Department JPA

Approval & Termination of Acting

1. What is the definition of “covering for duties”?

An officer performing the duties of another post besides the officer’s own duties for a specified period approved by an applicable Approving Authority.

2. What are the circumstances under which duties can be covered?

If there is a substantive vacancy for the post or the operation and duties of the vacant post must be performed continuously to avoid disruptions to organisational functions.

3. How is a directive to cover for duties issued?

A directive to cover for duties shall be made in writing by the Head of Department to the officer.

4. How long is the duration of the covering period?

The duration must not exceed six (6) months. If necessary, the Head of Department shall re-apply to the Approving Authority to permit the officer to continue covering the post.

5. Can the covering period commence on a rest day?

The covering shall commence on a working day.

6. Can the covering period end on a rest day?

If the covering period ends on a weekend or a public holiday, that period may be included for the purpose of paying the Covering Allowance.

7. If the officer covering the duties is attending a 20-day course, will the covering for duties continue to be in force?

If the officer stops covering the duties for fourteen (14) days or more, the Head of Department shall make a new recommendation to the Approving Authority regarding whether the officer should continue covering the duties or to certify another officer.

8. Who is eligible to cover for duties?

The officer eligible to be certified to cover for duties is: -

An officer who is already confirmed in service;
If no officer has been confirmed in service, an officer who has worked for at least one year may be recommended; and
Priority for covering the duties shall be given to the most qualified officer in terms of experience, qualifications, skills, expertise, and good performance.

9. Can a Grade N17 Administrative Assistant (Clerical/Operation) cover the duties of a Grade FT17 Technical Assistant?

A Grade N17 Administrative Assistant (Clerical/Operation) should have such credentials as set out in the Technical Assistant scheme of service to enable him/her to cover the duties.

10. Can a nurse who is on shift work cover the duties of another nurse who is on maternity leave?

A nurse is not permitted to cover the duties of another nurse because shift work is not suitable to be performed through covering for duties.

11. Who approves the covering for duties?

The covering for duties should be approved by the Approving Authority as per Appendix A, Service Circular Number 17 Year 2007.

12. What is the Covering Allowance rate for a post with multiple starting salaries?

The Covering Allowance rate is based on the lowest starting salary for the applicable scheme of service for the post.

13. What is the allowance rate for covering the duty of a post with flexi grade?

The Covering Allowance rate is based on the lowest salary grade.

14. What is the Covering Allowance rate for an open post?

The Covering Allowance rate is based on the starting salary of the scheme of service of the officer covering the open post.

15. Can an officer who has covered for duties for only one week apply for leave?

An officer who is covering for duties is not allowed to apply for leave. If the officer has gone on leave, the Covering Allowance period will commence on the date the officer returns to work after the leave.

16. Can an officer who is covering the same post for the second time apply for leave after 20 days of covering for the post?

Yes. For an officer who has been approved to cover the same post, the Covering Allowance for covering the duties for the second time may be paid after the officer has carried out the duties for fourteen (14) consecutive days, including weekends and public holidays.

17. How is Overtime Payment calculated for an officer who is covering for duties?

Overtime Payment for an officer who is covering for duties may only be paid after two (2) hours fifteen (15) minutes from the end of office hours.

18. Can an officer cover the duties of 2 posts at the same time?

No. This is because an officer is eligible for only one (1) Covering Allowance at any one time.

Covering of Duty

Approval & Termination of Acting

Contact Us

Tag Cloud

Other Links