By Amadu Femoh Sesay
Communications Manager, PSC
In a notable testament to the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Sierra Leone Civil Service employment, the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Sierra Leone has reported an overwhelming 6,000plus applications in response to its recent job advertisements for Thirteen (13) job categories, including 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.
This high level of interest reflects a growing interest in the Sierra Leone Civil Service employment. It also underscores PSC’s role in facilitating a thorough and competency-based recruitment process to attract competent personnel into the Service. This process is 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.
This activity is in consonance with the provision of Section 152 (1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which empowers the Commission “…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…”.
According to data from the PSC’s Recruitment and Career Development Directorate, after thorough evaluation of the above job applications, only Four Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Three (4833) applicants were shortlisted for the exams, which were held in three phases on Saturday, 24th August, Saturday, 31st August and Saturday, 7th September, 2024.
The exams were simultaneously held across multiple centres to accommodate the large number of participants, ensuring an organized and efficient process. These centres includedthe Government Model Secondary School and Government Rokel Secondary School in Freetown, AnsarulIslamic Secondary School in Kenema, Saint Francis Secondary School in Makeni, and Bo Government Secondary School in Bo.
In preparation for the exams, the PSC implemented a comprehensive strategy to manage the scale of the operation. This included the deployment of Commissioners and staff as Invigilators and Coordinators to manage the high volume of applicants. The thorough planning was aimed at maintaining the integrity of the examination process and providing a fair opportunity for all job seekers.
In his Address to the applicants 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 PublicServiceArchitecture of Sierra Leone. He advised the candidates that having the right attitude to work was key to ones stay and growth in the Service.
Speaking to job applicants at the Government Model Secondary School Centre in Freetown on Saturday, 31st August, 2024, 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 practices which would undermine their success in the recruitment process.
Welcoming the applicants at the AnsarulIslamic Secondary School Centre in Kenema City onSaturday, 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 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.
Wishing them good luck, he said by participating in this process, they were taking a significant step toward playing a vital role in shaping the future of the Public Service of Sierra Leone.
Speaking on behalf of the applicants at 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.
