Implementation of Public Service Reform Hits a Roadblock in Cyprus Due to Inadequate Performance of Assessment Mechanism
The Public Service Commission (PSC) in Cyprus has been active in 2024, convening 221 times and handling 3,113 issues. The commission made 1,014 staffing decisions, including 613 appointments and 401 promotions, as it works to modernise the public sector.
However, the reforms are facing some challenges. According to Giorgos Papageorgiou, the head of the PSC, evaluation practices in Cyprus remain dominated by outdated, uniform approaches. This, he stated at a press conference, could severely weaken the credibility of the public service reform.
The reforms aim to significantly shift the process of filling senior positions by emphasising candidates' skills and competencies. However, training efforts have not produced the expected results, and they must be repeated.
One concern is inflated grading. The average employee score in 2024 was 9.01 out of 10, up from 8.74 in 2023. Papageorgiou has criticised evaluators in Cyprus for not grasping the magnitude of their responsibility.
Most ministries and departments in Cyprus are ignoring or openly violating the new framework. Only three departments, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, the Department of Information Technology Services, and the Press and Information Office, have shown meaningful compliance with the new standards.
Some specific departments, such as the Famagusta District Administration, Health Ministry, and Judicial Service, have scores near-perfect levels. This raises questions about the consistency and fairness of the evaluation process.
To address these issues, the PSC established an EU-funded examination centre for professionalising recruitment and promotions in 2024. A dynamic procurement system for exam services was also launched.
Despite these efforts, the public service reform in Cyprus is failing to deliver. Department heads and directors are urged to intervene to prevent the system's credibility from being irreparably undermined.
The public sector in Cyprus is diverse, with nearly 70% of employees holding university or postgraduate degrees. Women make up 64% of the workforce, and only 7.2% are aged 18-34.
The PSC interviewed 840 candidates for entry-level and promotion positions in 2024. The commission's work is crucial in ensuring that the public sector in Cyprus is efficient, effective, and representative of the society it serves. However, the challenges it faces must be addressed to restore confidence in the reform process.
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