Secondment & Transfers
Rules for secondment to organisations outside the civil service and for transfers between Ministries — eligibility, PSC approval, leave requirements, the six-year career cap on secondment, salary contributions, and the process for returning to service.
Under GO 02501, only officers in Grade 6 and above with at least three years' confirmed service are eligible for secondment or transfer. All secondments require PSC approval through the PS-PMO (GO 02502); Permanent Secretaries additionally need the Secretary General's endorsement. Upon retirement, benefits are computed using the officer's grade at the time of departure from the Civil Service — not their grade at the receiving organisation. A seconded officer returns to the same pre-secondment grade, with annual incremental points awarded during absence (GO 02503). Critically, all entitled leave must be taken before a secondment or transfer takes effect — untaken leave is forfeited (GO 02504). Each secondment is for a specific period, with a maximum aggregate of six years across the officer's entire career (GO 02505). The seconded officer must contribute 25% of their Civil Service basic salary monthly to the Directorate of National Treasury. One month before the secondment period ends, the officer must notify Government of their intention to extend or return — failure to notify results in automatic termination of secondment (GO 02506).
Chapter 3 of the PPM covers transfers and postings as an operational personnel function. Transfers may be initiated by the officer (through a written request stating preferred posting and reasons) or by Government based on operational need. The PMO processes all transfer requests, considering staffing needs across Ministries. Officers who are transferred maintain their grade and salary level. Those posted to a different region may be entitled to provincial allowances (Zone 1: 12% of basic salary for North Bank, Lower River, West Coast regions; Zone 2: 15% for Upper River and Central River regions) and removal assistance. Departments must provide detailed justification for any transfer requests they submit.