This morning (August 6), the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee held a conference to review the pilot project of recruiting leaders and managers at the department level and equivalent in 2022 and to pilot the recruitment of leaders and managers at the department level and equivalent in 2024.

Speaking at the conference, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai highly appreciated the results of the 2022 recruitment exam with 13 selected department-level positions. This initial result is experience to continue expanding the recruitment exam project in the coming time.

According to Mr. Mai, the recruitment process was truly public, transparent, properly implemented, and selected the right person for the job requirements and position.

The recruitment exam has also changed the perception of the city's planning and selection of officials.

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Ho Chi Minh City Chairman Phan Van Mai requested that localities in need register and organize exams to recruit district-level vice chairmen. Photo: HV

However, the head of the city government also noted that because the pilot has no general regulations, understanding and application still face some difficulties.

"Because it was the first pilot, two problems were revealed: candidates' fear and confusion from the Party Committee and leaders," Mr. Mai emphasized.

HCMC leaders believe that candidates are afraid of how they will be evaluated if they fail the exam. Does the unit where the candidate works still have a plan for them or does it have the mentality of “this guy just failed the exam”… in planning staff?

Thereby, the Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City requested localities, departments, branches and the Department of Home Affairs to clarify this issue, learn from experience to avoid causing anxiety for candidates in the next exams.

Mr. Phan Van Mai also affirmed that the city will continue to pilot and expand the recruitment exam not only for department-level positions but also for department-level positions and equivalent positions in 2024 and the coming years.

He requested the Department of Home Affairs to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to quickly complete documents and regulations to report to the City People's Committee before August 15.

Heads of localities, departments and branches that have not yet organized recruitment exams need to promptly develop and implement plans in 2024.

As for the 7 units that have organized the exam, they will expand it to the maximum and can take exams for more positions because they have experience.

Time to complete and submit to competent authority the recruitment plan no later than September 30.

The Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City also said that in 2024, the city has a plan to recruit deputy directors at the department level in 4 units (Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Department of Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Department of Planning and Investment). However, he requested to expand the positions of vice chairmen at district, commune and ward levels; directors and deputy directors of state-owned enterprises (in units and localities in need).

Each locality has at least one department-level leader through recruitment.

Previously, in the preliminary report on the 2022 recruitment work, a representative of the Department of Home Affairs affirmed that the first pilot was basically successful.

This has created a major change in awareness, created a healthy competitive environment, helped to discover and select people with suitable capacity; political and ethical qualities; contributed to the good implementation of regulations on power control in personnel work.

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Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai awarded certificates of merit to units and organizations piloting the recruitment exam for department-level leadership positions and equivalent positions in 2022. Photo: HV

Organizing the exam has created a healthy competitive environment, motivating officials and civil servants in performing their duties.

However, the representative of the Department of Home Affairs also admitted that because it was the first pilot, there were certain difficulties.

Specifically, there are many positions with a large number of applicants, but there are also positions with no candidates or very few applicants.

In the organization work, while implementing, we have to ask for instructions from superiors, so some units are still passive about time, not ensuring the set progress.

The Department of Home Affairs also affirmed that through recruitment exams, agencies and units not only select suitable staff, but also have the opportunity to review and evaluate the overall situation and propose solutions to improve the quality of human resources.

Regarding the project to recruit leaders and managers at the department level and equivalent in 2024, the Department of Home Affairs requires localities and units to promptly issue plans according to the direction of the City People's Committee before September 30, to organize the recruitment exam in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In particular, for agencies and units that have not yet organized a pilot recruitment exam, quickly develop a plan to organize recruitment exams for leadership and management positions at the department level and equivalent in 2024. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that at least 1 leadership position at the department or agency level is appointed through recruitment exams.

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