According to the Article 10.1 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Civil Service”, positions in state bodies are divided into administrative and supportive positions depending on the functions of these positions, the source of their legitimate power and the recruitment methods. Administrative positions are the positions of heads of apparatus and departments of state bodies, their deputies, as well as specialists in the civil service. Supportive positions are the positions of civil servants (clerk, typist, courier, archive registrar, elevator operator, driver and other employees) performing technical work in government agencies.
A candidate for an administrative position must have a relevant higher education, however a full secondary education is the key requirement for a candidate applying for a supportive position. Civil Service recruitment process for supportive positions is carried out directly by a state body.
Recruitment for the positions corresponding to the first-third classifications of administrative positions in the first-third categories of state bodies, as well as for the positions of head of department, advisor to the head and deputy head in the apparatus of central executive authorities (including the Supreme Attestation Commission) is carried out through internal interviews. Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan whose specialization in higher education and service record corresponding to the requirements indicated in the job description may participate in an internal interview announced for holding those positions. Acceptance of documents for an internal interview is carried out electronically by registering through the website of the Center.
Recruitment for the positions corresponding to the fourth-seventh classifications of administrative positions in the state bodies is carried out through the competition (except for the positions of head of department, adviser to the head and assistant to the head at the local executive authorities, bodies operating under local executive authorities and their delegations to the administrative districts, as well as at the Apparatus of central executive authorities (including the Supreme Attestation Commission). The competition consists of a test examination and an interview.
The Center conducts test examinations for admission to the civil service for administrative positions of civil service and issues a certificate confirming the candidate’s passing of an examination. The certificate is valid for five years.
The person with a valid certificate confirming that he/she has passed a test examination for the relevant civil service position may participate in the interview. The interview announcement with the notice of the deadline for acceptance of documents shall be published on the web portal of the Center, on the website of the state body announcing for vacant civil service position and in other mass media outlets.
The tests are carried out on the following classifications of civil service positions:
A class – administrative-leading positions (management):
B class – administrative-executive positions:
There are the following types of test assignments to be used in the test examination:
- Closed-ended questions: finding a correct answer among the presented variants;
- Open-ended questions: no variants are presented and test takers are required to provide the correct answer expressed written;
- Essay-type assignments requiring independent answer.
Test takers register online via the internet portal of the SEC (hereinafter – portal) to attend the test examination. Afterwards, they receive electronic notification confirming the registration and a guidebook in which candidates’ rights and duties are reflected
The venues and start time of the test examinations are decided by the SEC and relevant information is published on the portal at least 5 days prior to the test. The Center places the test takers’ admission tickets on the portal where the candidate can print.
Test takers attend the test by presenting their ID and admission ticket.
Depending on the decision of the SEC, the test examination is carried out through paper-based and (or) computer-based method.
The duration of the test is determined by the SEC considering the content of the exam (type and number of test assignments given to candidates), as well as the following aspects:
- 1 minute and 30 seconds per closed-ended question;
- 2 minutes per open-ended question;
- 30 seconds per essay-type assignment.
Candidates’ answers are evaluated as follows:
- Each correct answer for closed-ended questions is given 1 point, while wrong or no answer is given 0 point;
- Each correct answer for open-ended questions is given 2 points, while wrong or no answer is given 0 point;
- Answers for essay-type assignments are given 0 – 30 points, while no answer is given 0 point. Points for essay-type assignments vary depending on the volume and structure of the answers, consistency of opinions and visions, creative thoughts expressed, vocabulary, originality, style, and the observance of language requirements.
The results of the tests are posted on the portal.
Those passing the test stage successfully receive a certificate in accordance with the classification of administrative and supportive positions. The validity of the certificate is five years. Each candidate can obtain several certificates on the civil service positions.
Those, who passed the test stage of the competition successfully and obtained valid certificate, will be eligible to attend the interview process. Candidates wishing to attend the interview should apply relevant state body via SEC portal within 30 days after interview announcement.
Interviews are held within 30 days after acceptance of documents.
