Name: UNDP GEPA January 2017

Description: Public administration, as defined by UNDP GEPA in the first phase of the initiative: agencies and actions of the executive branch of the state at the central/national, regional and local levels. In most of the countries examined, it is the “central institutions” that collect data on employees in the executive branch. This encompasses the narrower definition of public administration. Countries that collect GEPA data through their national statistics offices use the international statistical category of “public administration, defence and compulsory social security.” This definition encompasses the wider scope of public administration. Decision-making positions, as defined by UNDP GEPA in the first phase: non-elected decision-making or leadership positions. Because each country titles and classifies its posts differently, it is difficult to globally compare “decision-making” positions. Some countries will produce aggregate data on “executives” or “leadership” positions, which may not encompass all of the decision-makers within a public administration. Other countries may produce the opposite information: aggregate data on “decision-making positions,” which encompasses a much greater number of employees in the public administration. These aggregates hide some of the nuances of gender equality in leadership and decision-making positions. UNDP GEPA is exploring how to developing globally comparable definitions based on job function.

Source: UNDP Gender Equality in Public Administration, http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/democratic-governance-and-peacebuilding/inclusive-political-processes/women-s-equal-political-participation.html