The budget programme structure defines a budget structure centred on results and outcomes and the organisational structure defines how a department is organised into an efficient and effective functioning system to achieve those same results and outcomes.
Budget programme structures and organisational structures should as far as possible be aligned, at least at the higher levels at which programmes and subprogrammes are defined, nonetheless, the two need not be identical but should be very closely related and should
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converge overtime. Alignment of the budget programme structure and the organisational structure would ensure a single channel for reporting where appropriate and for defining accountability for funds and for the attainment of results (see 2.6 below). Attainment of this alignment would be promoted if all activities and functions carried out by a department fall under one of the programmes within that department and if the senior management of a department occupy the role of either programme or subprogramme manager, where possible.
In addition, departments may need to have an internal management budget that maps the relationship between the budget programme structure and the organisational structure and clearly shows the lines of responsibilities for different outputs and outcomes.
It will be necessary to ensure on a case by case basis that the scope of responsibilities and job description of the programme and subprogramme managers are appropriately aligned to the Department of Public Service and Administration guidelines on job descriptions in relation to job grading. This will only be achieved where the job grading of such posts is based on the scope of responsibilities.