Transforming Public Sector Performance; Innovative Approaches to Optimizing Functional Positions in Kepahiang's Bureaucratic Reform

This research examines the challenges of optimizing functional positions in Kepahiang Regency as part of a wider program of bureaucratic reform, with a particular focus on improving the performance of the public sector. The management of functional positions in Kepahiang Regency presents a few challenges, including the placement of civil servants who do not align with the initial formation, the lack of requisite technical training, and suboptimal performance evaluation. This study employed a systematic approach to mapping the 204 functional officials across 26 work units, identifying 37 categories of positions that exhibited variations in the specific expertise required. A SWOT analysis was employed to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats inherent to the management of functional positions in Kepahiang Regency. The results demonstrated a discrepancy between employees educational backgrounds and the requirements of their positions, which negatively impacted work efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, this research proposes the development of a predictive model that is tailored to the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the region, intending to support performance improvement. It is anticipated that this model will be used as a reference in human resource development planning in the public sector, as well as in strategic decision making. The findings of this research contribute to the strengthening of functional position management and the improvement of the compensation system, as well as more sustainable career development, to encourage better public services in Kepahiang Regency.