Development of administrative capacities through development of the competency framework

Abstract

In the context of the public administration reform in the Republic of Serbia, the accent is on the development of professional capacities and introduction of civil servants' competencies. The aim of the paper is to point out to the overall context of the public administration reform in the Republic of Serbia and the latest reform trends regarding establishment of an integrated and competency-based civil service. The author emphasizes the importance of the integration of Competency framework in civil service legislation, which is in accordance with European Civil Service standards and the Human Resource Management Framework Policy for Public Administration in the Republic of Serbia. Pursuant to this paper, competencies add up to collection of knowledge, skills and behaviour required for effective performance of work tasks. The author concludes that in the context of introducing competencies in the civil service system of the Republic of Serbia, changes in legal framework are required - primarily in the Law on Civil Servants, and other laws and bylaws. For a competency framework to be efficiently implemented, education of civil servants is required.