NISPAcee Conference, Zagreb, 20 May 2016 IMPROVING IMPLEMENTATION OF MERIT BASED RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Fatos Mustafa, Seconded National Expert, ReSPA NISPAcee Conference, Zagreb, 20 May 2016

Research Methodology : Regional comparative study International expert – leading the pool National experts Focus group

Research Methodology (cont.) ReSPA HRM Working Group - national HR institutions’ representatives Stakeholders – key Civil Service structures throughout the Western Balkan region

Merit Based Recruitment Economic Growth Rule of Law Functioning Democracy

Why Merit Based Recruitment? EU Enlargement Strategy Public Administration Reform European Principles of Public Administration Policy choice

Analysis Formal recognition of the principle of Merit Based Recruitment Practical application of rules of Merit Based Recruitment Embodiment of key principles in the recruitment practices Capacity of key actors Provide policy recommendations

Findings and Recommendations Regional (for Western Balkans) Country specific

General findings Incomplete regulation Incomplete implementation Problems of expertise Low examination standards Problems of Fairness Problems of Efficiency

General recommendations Improving capacity and knowledge of key participants Improving regulatory frameworks Review of civil service entry examinations Improving monitoring and transparency Information sharing and learning

For more information refer to: www. respaweb For more information refer to: www.respaweb.eu Library – ReSPA Publications 2015