BISP board approves new system to gauge employee performance

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) board approved on Tuesday the ‘Bell-Curve Concept’ for the performance management of employees under Ehsaas policy, the national scale-up of the Ehsaas Nashonuma and a new organogram of the BISP to improve its effectiveness.

The BISP board held its 53rd meeting, with Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar in the chair. The board also approved institutionalising BISP offices in all Tehsils of the country.

The existing Performance Management System (PMS) at the BISP is similar to the methodology used by the government of Pakistan, the ACR/PER system. Performance rating patterns and forms are also similar with those of the government.

Since the current PMS is not compatible with the modern PMS being used by progressive organisations, the board approved the new PMS principles based on ‘Bell-Curve Concept’, essential to leverage optimum performance from employees.

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The new PMS will assess the performance of employees based on goal setting sheets and key performance indicators (KPIs) developed for benchmark positions. A new rating grid will be adopted, providing flexibility to recognise the employees who perform and deliver results beyond expectations and identifying those not measuring up.

It will link the employee performance to reward and compensation, training, career development and succession planning, and alignment with key BISP goals and objectives. “Changes in PMS considered by the board will be applicable to regular and contractual employees and these will be implemented by July 2022,” Dr Nishtar said.

Meanwhile, the board approved a new organisational structure, introducing the concept of opening BISP offices at district level and dividing all provinces into three empowered zones with delegation of administrative and financial powers to ensure quick decision-making at appropriate level.