Kazakh President approves 2024/29 Civil Service Development Concept

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved the Civil Service Development Concept for 2024/29, Kazinform News Agency reports.

The dynamic of the ongoing reforms as well as the scale of drastic changes aimed at upgrading the social and political, social and economic life of the country, improving the wellbeing of the citizens require the need for further development of the civil service. The need for prompt and efficient managerial decisions leads to greater expectations placed on the civil service, reads the document, that was already put into effect.

The Concept shapes the agenda for further development of the civil service:

- Formation of a civil service model based on the principles of service provision and client orientation, presented in a proactive, results-orientated, non-bureaucratic model of conduct;

- Professionalization of a state apparatus with the use of a hybrid model of civil service – pragmatic combination of ways and means aimed at professionalizing the state apparatus;

- Management and digitalization of HR procedures, using their instruments to the extent when due and in good faith performance of civil servants, their motivation and keeping the focus, as well as minimization of conditions and criteria causing professional burnout is achieved.

Civil service development will be based on the principles as follow:

- Transparency and openness, with all recruitment and advancement procedures are as open and clear to the public as possible;

- Meritocracy: access to the civil service and career advancement are based on merits, competences and professional skills;

- Flexibility: implementation of new flexible approaches, innovations and technologies allowing for more effective civil service;

- Continuous learning aimed at professional development of civil servants to enhance their skills and efficiency;

- Client-orientation: proactive work, results-orientation and ensuring access;

- Pragmatism: the primacy of the application of different instruments to achieve practical use and efficiency;

- Responsibility and accountability: greater responsibility of civil servants for decision-making and actions before citizens and the state. Compliance with the high ethical standards in the work and zero tolerance to corruption.

It was highlighted that the review of the civil service legislation provides for establishment of a more stable and sustainable legal framework for the work of the state apparatus.

Professionalization of the civil service will be conducted through a transition to a hybrid model of civil service, combining the best features of both career and position modes, balancing the competitive approach and direct recruiting of specialists taking into account their unique professional experiences and potential.

The document also includes plans to stimulate and reward the active involvement of employees in educational programs and internships. The civil service system is to provide for mechanisms for continuous professional growth, offering different opportunities to improve professional skills. The income of civil servants will be closely linked to their professional achievements and commitment to self-development.