4.1.4. The actors at sector level: the different DGs

Within the Commission framework for reorganisations, Directors General have certain autonomy at the level of their services.

They are responsible for selecting the type of structure they consider most suitable (functional, divisional as well as combinations of geographic, programme, process or customer focus) and for proposing the number of management positions, however within the constraints of their resource allocation. They should know best where to identify efficiency gains, based on reports from their operational and resource directors, internal audit and evaluation activities, their considerations when preparing Annual Management Plans and the Annual Activity Reports. Directors General thus shape structures in their search for ways to increase the speed, efficiency, flexibility, integration and innovation of their services.

They discuss any proposed key structural change to their organisation chart with the Secretariat General and DG Human Resources at an early stage. Discussions typically touch on the most suitable organisational form, benchmarks for staffing, retirements and mobility, reallocation of activities between different DGs, or within the same DG, and discussion of job description etc.