By Amadu Femoh Sesay, Communications Manager, PSC
The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Sierra Leone on Saturday, 7th September, 2024 held its 3rd and final phase for this round of the Civil Service Entrance Examinations for filling of critical vacancies across the Service for over Four Thousand Eight Hundred (4,800) job applicants, who applied for the Administrative Officer, Immigration Officer, Assistant Immigration Officer, Accountant, Assistant Accountant, News Editor, Photo Journalist, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Assistant Executive Engineer, Senior Proof Reader, Water Mapping Officer, and Assistant Water Mapping Officer positions advertised by the Commission in respect of the Accountant General’s Department, Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Government Printing Department, Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA) and Ministry of Water Resources.
The examinations, which were held in three phases were simultaneously conducted at the Government Model Secondary School and Government Rokel Secondary School in Freetown, Ansarul Islamic Secondary School in Kenema, Saint Francis Secondary School in Makeni, and Bo Government Secondary School in Bo.
It could be recalled that on Saturday, 24th and Saturday, 31st August, 2024, the Commission conducted its first and second phases of these examinations for One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-Two (1752) and One Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine (1499) job seekers respectively.
These examinations are part of the Commission’s competency-based recruitment process to attract competent personnel into the Sierra Leone Civil Service. They are also a reflection of the Commission’s commitment to Revamp the Public Service Architecture of Sierra Leone in consonance with Cluster 4 of the Five Big Changers of the Government of Sierra Leone’s national development aspirations.
According to data from the PSC’s Recruitment and Career Development Directorate, over Six Thousand (6000) job applicants applied for the above Thirteen (13) positions. After thorough evaluation of the applications, only Four Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Three (4833) applicants whose academic qualifications matched with the Job Descriptions after the long listing process were shortlisted for the Graduate and Sub-Graduate Entrance Examinations.
In his Address to the applicants for the Administrative Officer position at the Bo centre on Saturday, 24th August, 2024, Commissioner Ahmed Abu Kemokai said the examination was not just a test of the knowledge and skills, but also a reflection of the Commission’s commitment to contribute to Revamp the Public Service Architecture of Sierra Leone in line with Cluster 4 of the Five Big Changers of the Government of Sierra Leone. He added that the Administrative Cadre plays a pivotal role in the Civil Service, noting that having the right attitude to work was key to ones stay and growth in the Service.
On Saturday, 31st August, 2024 at the Government Model Secondary School Centre in Freetown, Commissioner Doreen Faux said the PSC was conducting these entrance examinations as a means to attract not only competent individuals, but also officers who have integrity and would add value to the Civil Service. The Commissioner informed the applicants that their individual performance will determine their appearance at the oral interview. She admonished them to refrain from indulging into any examination malpractices which would undermine their success in the recruitment process.
Welcoming the applicants at the Ansarul Islamic Secondary School Centre in Kenema City on Saturday, 31st August, 2024, the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Mohamed Jusu congratulated them for making it to the next stage of the recruitment process, following a thorough and robust assessment of their applications. He told the applicants that the examination exercise was in line with the provision of Section 152 (1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which mandates the PSC “…to appoint persons to hold or act in offices in the public service (including power to make appointments on promotion and to confirm appointments) and to dismiss and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices…”.
He said the examinations were part of the Commission’s competency-based recruitment process to attract competent personnel into the work force of the Civil Service of Sierra Leone. Mr. Jusu encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity and also assured the job seekers of a fair and competitive recruitment process.
According to the Director of Recruitment and Career Development, Mr. Brima Queta, over Six Thousand (6000) job seekers applied for the above thirteen (13) positions. He said after thorough assessment of the applications, only Four Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Three (4833) applicants were shortlisted for the examinations. In an interview with journalists, the Director was quick to state that “transparency and accountability are the hallmark of the recruitment process, including the examination.”
Speaking on behalf of the applicants at the Kenema Centre, Ahmed J. Sheriff commended the PSC for not only managing a recruitment exercise that was competitive, inclusive and fair, but also for deepening its decentralization effort by ensuring that the services of the Commission are taken to the door steps of its clients in the Regions. Also, a female applicant in Freetown, who chose not to be identified expressed similar sentiment.
The Selection, Appointment and Promotion Manager, Mr. Edwin Koroma assured the applicants that the PSC will continue to give equal opportunity to every job seeker, irrespective of their region, tribe and political affiliation.
The Commission will soon commence marking these papers ensuring that only those who passed the exams are invited for an oral interview on a date to be determined.