On February 7, the Head of the NAUCS Nataliia Aliushyna met with the Head of the SIGMA Programme Gregor Wirant. The results of the SIGMA Monitoring Report on the compliance of Ukraine's public administration system with the European SIGMA principles were discussed, as well as the Agency's further implementation of civil service reform.

The Head of the SIGMA Programme noted the progress in reforming public administration in Ukraine during the war and the institutional capacity of state and local governments.

After assessing the strengths and weaknesses of Ukraine's public administration at the end of 2021 (before the start of the full-scale war) and the situation in 2023 (almost two years after the start of the war), SIGMA experts provided their conclusions and recommendations on further steps important for the successful process of EU and OECD accession, post-war recovery and modernisation of the public administration system.

Special attention was focused on the restoration and improvement of the selection procedure for civil service positions.

Nataliia Aliushyna said that today there are all the technical and organisational capabilities to restart civil service competitions - both for categories B and C and for the senior civil service (category A). 

The Head of the NAUCS showed Gregor Virant all the capabilities of the Center for evaluating applicants for public service positions, as well as the equipped shelter, which provides the opportunity to pass a full cycle of testing, including knowledge of legislation and a foreign language, both offline and online, even during air alert.

According to the Head of the NAUCS, there is unanimity with European partners on the expediency of resuming civil service competitions even before the martial law is lifted. Of course, this should take into account the security situation in each region and the capacity of each state agency. At the same time, the competition procedure needs to be updated to meet the challenges of the times and reflect new realities.

"The state is interested in strengthening the human resource potential in the public sector. This can be achieved through an open and transparent selection of the best, most professional employees with the appropriate experience, knowledge, skills and competencies for the civil service. We can start with category "A", and then gradually restore competitive procedures in all government institutions. I hope that the relevant decision will be made in the near future," said the Head of the NAUCS.