A recruitment exercise is to be launched to select up to 20 candidates for Administrative Officer posts on civil service terms.

The application period will run from November 15 to November 28.

Recruitment advertisements will be published in the South China Morning Post and in both the local and overseas editions of Ming Pao and Sing Tao on November 15 and 22, and on the Civil Service Bureau's website from tomorrow.

The advertisement will also be accessible at the Government Information Centre or at ESDlife kiosks in MTR and KCR stations, major shopping centres and other locations.

The recruitment has been launched after exceptional approval was given for up to 20 new officers.

To help reduce the civil service establishment to around 160,000 by 2006-07, the Government has imposed a general civil service recruitment freeze since April.

Applications for exemption are considered by a panel co-chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary, plus the Secretary for the Civil Service.

Approval may only be granted under very exceptional circumstances and must be justified on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants can refer to the advertisements for qualification requirements.

Application forms are available at District Offices, the Home Affairs Department and any Labour Department Job Centre, or can be downloaded from the bureau's website.