The West and Central Africa Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) has partnered with Côte d'Ivoire Customs to implement transformative human resources and project management systems, marking a significant step in the agency's modernization efforts.
At the request of both Côte d'Ivoire Customs Administration and ROCB, the World Customs Organization (WCO) delivered specialized training in competency-based human resource management (HRM) and project management methodologies. The four-day capacity-building mission, conducted from October 9-12, 2018 at the National Customs Training School in Abidjan, engaged 16 officials (7 women and 9 men) in intensive workshops.
Building a Modern HR Framework
The collaboration produced three foundational tools: a position catalog, competency framework, and comprehensive job descriptions. This initiative establishes ROCB as the first regional office to adopt competency-based HRM practices within the WCO network. The approach emphasizes aligning personnel skills with operational requirements through standardized role definitions and performance metrics.
"The position catalog provides clear career pathways, while the competency framework objectively defines the knowledge and skills required for each role," explained a project participant. "These tools will transform how we recruit, train, and evaluate customs personnel."
Enhancing Project Management Capabilities
Participants also mastered project cycle management and results-based management principles—methodologies that emphasize phased implementation and measurable outcomes. These techniques enable more effective planning and execution of customs modernization projects, from infrastructure development to process automation initiatives.
"Adopting these methodologies ensures our projects deliver tangible benefits," noted a customs official. "We can now better allocate resources, monitor progress, and demonstrate impact."
Next Steps in the Reform Process
Côte d'Ivoire Customs and ROCB are finalizing their competency-based HRM tools and selecting optimal project management approaches tailored to local needs. A detailed action plan has been developed to institutionalize these reforms, with follow-up capacity-building activities planned to reinforce the changes.
The successful implementation of these systems positions Côte d'Ivoire Customs as a regional leader in administrative modernization. Continued collaboration with WCO and ROCB promises to further enhance operational efficiency and service delivery, ultimately supporting national economic development objectives.