BAKU, Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan’s parliament adopted a new Civil Service Code in a third reading on Oct. 16, ending repeat certification exams for civil servants who already hold their posts.
The code contains 15 chapters and 94 articles and is set to replace six existing laws, including legislation on civil service and ethics, APA reported.
Certification would remain an entry requirement, but civil servants would no longer have to take repeated exams simply to keep their jobs. Their continuing performance would instead be assessed through a performance-evaluation system, according to Report.
New civil-service certificates would be valid for two years instead of five. Certificates already issued would remain valid until their current expiration dates.
During each year that a certificate is valid, its holder could register free of charge for interviews for up to five vacancies. Additional applications would require payment. The state would cover testing costs for first-time participants, members of martyrs’ families and certain people with disabilities.
When more than five qualified candidates apply for a vacancy, the interview would take place in two stages. The five highest-scoring applicants who receive at least 50% in the first stage would advance. If five or fewer candidates apply, they would proceed directly to the second stage.
The code would also permit no more than three staff rotations. An employee with fewer than five years in an administrative post would not be rotated, and decisions would have to take account of qualifications, performance, service record, age, family circumstances and health.
Although parliament has completed the third reading, the new system does not become operative merely because of the vote; it must follow the remaining legal steps and applicable commencement provisions.