Civil service vacancies are filled by selection from eligible candidates through a competitive process on the basis of merit, the Civil Service Bureau says, adding there are established rules and guidelines governing the proper conduct of recruitment exercises to ensure impartiality and fairness.

The bureau told lawmakers today the guiding principle on civil service recruitment and promotion is to select qualified and suitable people through an open, fair and competitive process. The Public Service Commission performs the watchdog and advisory role.

Vacancies in basic ranks in civil service grades or in one-rank grades are normally filled by open recruitment or in-service recruitment from other grades. On an exceptional basis vacancies in one-rank grades can also be filled by posting of serving officers from other grades.

Vacancies in promotion ranks including those at directorate level of a civil service grade are normally filled by promoting suitable officers from the immediate lower rank of the same grade or the same family of grades. Selection for promotion is based on objective criteria.

Promotion criteria

A higher academic qualification than that needed for the basic rank of the grade is not a requirement for promotion to department head level. Thus an officer belonging to a grade whose basic rank does not require a university degree as an entry requirement may be promoted to the highest rank of the grade concerned, which may be pitched at department head level.

Recruitment exercises are conducted in an open and fair manner. Recruitment boards are formed to assess candidates, to recommend suitable ones for appointment, and to prioritise their suitability. The recruitment process is under the Public Service Commission's scrutiny and its chairman and members can attend recruitment boards as observers.

Upon completion of a recruitment exercise the recommendations of the concerned recruitment board must be sent to the commission for advice before any appointment offer can be made.