The Project organised the “Competence-based selection of staff” workshop which was facilitated by the HR expert working on the Project, and during which the participants discussed how to assess and evaluate the behavioural competences of employees, which represent a sort of upgrade compared to the basic occupational profile and qualifications for each job position. Therefore, for example, experienced officers know how to assess whether a lawyer with a law degree is qualified and has the relevant experience in the profession. However, the question is how and on what grounds it can be assessed whether this individual shows the initiative or is creative in solving problems?

The workshop provided an abundance of example questions and models to assess these competences in a simple way.

The above workshop is a response to the newly emerged situation which has seen a change in the recruitment system and the introduction of competences. Notably, in accordance with the new Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Regulation on filling vacancies, the role of the manager in this process has become key.

The following are the comments made by the participants in the workshop evaluation: “There is a relaxing atmosphere which is conducive to the participants’ free exchange of experience and observations”, “Useful, modern and accessible”, “Very efficient and practical”, “This has been a very useful workshop”, “This was an exceptional training which is of immense importance for the present Council staff” etc.