The DHRMD is a central government agency that is mandated under the Public Service Act, 1994, to manage the Public Service in Malawi. In this regard the Secretary for Human Resource Management and Development is charged with the overall responsibility of the administration and management of the Public Service on behalf of the Chief Secretary to the Government. DHRMD thus plays a central role in institutional design and development, provision of advisory services to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on public service management in general.

Specifically, DHRMD‟s mandate as stipulated in Section 19 of the Public Service Act, 1994 is:
(i)  To effectively and judiciously administer the provisions of the Act;
(ii) To develop, review and maintain public service policy;
(iii)To continuously examine public service related needs and priorities at various levels of the administration of government and assess the relevance and effectiveness of current administrative instruments of the public service with a view to recommending appropriate measures;
(iv)To develop and maintain sound and effective public service systems and practices appropriate to the requirements of Malawi;
(v) To periodically review the extent of decentralization or delegation of authority necessary for efficient and effective performance of the public service; and 9 Department of Human Resource Management and Development Strategic Plan 2017 - 2022
(vi)To develop, introduce and judiciously administer public service conditions of service, codes of ethics, precedents and norms to ensure that the service integrity, staff morale and welfare, and the overall performance of the public service continuously remain high.

Functionally, DHRMD‟s operational responsibilities include:

(i)  Human Resource Planning and Development;
(ii) Human Resource Complement and Grading; (iii)Human Resource Management; (iv) Performance Management‟
(v) Quality and Productivity Improvement; (vi)HR Policy Research Analysis and Development;
(vii) Management Information Services;
(viii) Management of the HRMIS;
(ix)Human Resource Rationalization.

VISION

A high quality and result-oriented Public Service.

MISSION

To foster and sustain a high quality and result-oriented public service through systematic development and implementation of equitable, sound human and institutional management policies, strategies, practices and systems in order to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

CORE VALUES

DHRMD‟s strategic direction between 2017 and 2022 will be guided by the following core values as its guiding principles:

1. Professionalism and Integrity

We shall discharge our duties with a high degree of integrity in keeping with ethical standards and in accordance with the highest standards of professional behavior and ethics. We shall be transparent, honest and ethical in all our interactions with employees, clients, consumers, vendors and the public;

2. Creativity and Innovation

We shall encourage responsible risk-taking and innovation to instil the spirit of DHRMD as a learning organization;

3. Transparency and Accountability

We shall discharge our services in an open manner and shall be accountable for our actions;

4. Networking

We believe in shared stewardship and responsibility and the importance of working and collaborating with other stakeholders in order to achieve our Vision;

5. Adaptive, Dynamic and Responsive

We are committed to be responsive to changing needs and circumstances in order to provide a better service to the expectations of our customers and stakeholders.

DOWNLOAD: DHRMD Revised Strategic Plan_2017 - 2022_Final