Joining the CIVIL/PUBLIC SERVICE I

The discussions we have had thus far regarding distribution of resume drafting, application for employment, preparation for aptitude test and interview largely centred on private sector orientated jobs. My attention has been drawn from a feedback I received from a friend, confident and an astute retired civil servant by name Mallam Abubakar U. Muhammad mni […]

The discussions we have had thus far regarding distribution of resume drafting, application for employment, preparation for aptitude test and interview largely centred on private sector orientated jobs.

My attention has been drawn from a feedback I received from a friend, confident and an astute retired civil servant by name Mallam Abubakar U. Muhammad mni who felt there is a need to do a piece to cover aspects of job placements in Civil or Public Services or better still both.

I must confess that my brother Mallam Abubakar is right and spot on as bulk of my experiences were obtained while working in Private Sector Organisations. What I seek to share is knowledge in an area I am comfortable in hence the one sided view.

Thus my ability to write and share experiences on journey to a successful Civil/Public Service career is limited.  My first place of work after the mandatory one year National Service was Kaduna State Board of Internal Revenue.  I spent a brief period; about six months before leaving for a banking job.  As such my knowledge is limited and shallow.  Indeed, the process of my appointment into the service was also somewhat privileged.

My Late Uncle Mallam Junaidu Yahaya (may Allah bless his soul amin) was a Permanent Secretary in the Kaduna State Civil Service.  Upon completion of my NYSC, while on a visit to his office one day he asked me if you would like to work for the government of the state.  I answered in the affirmative.  He sent for a Civil Service Employment Form and one was brought.  He gave me and asked that I complete, attach my credentials and bring back.  I did just that and upon returning the form, he again inquired if I don’t mind to start work on grade level 5 which is Senior Clerk as that is the highest level a Permanent Secretary can employ.  I agreed and accepted to start work immediately.  Three months later the Civil Service Commission gave me an offer as Inspector of Taxes with effect from the date I assumed duty!  It was indeed an honour and a privilege.  May Allah grant Mallam Junaidu Yahaya Aljannah Firdaus Amin.  Herein lies why I did not have much knowledge of recruitment procedure of the Civil service despite having worked as a Public Servant.

In order to address the identified gap in the write up thus far, I requested my brother, Mallam Abubakar Muhammad mni to help write a column on processes of recruitment in the Public/Civil Service.  He graciously agreed to do so subject to time.  Prior to receipt of his contribution for the benefits of our readers, I decided to share the little experience I have.  I did also researched on the subject matter and decided to have this piece hoping that some knowledge would be shared.

In general, the Civil Service whether at State level or Federal level seldom advertise vacancies.  More often than not, the service at all times receives applications from prospective candidates wishing to join the service.  Unlike in the Private Sector where you complete engagement form only upon being offered employment, in the Civil Service you first complete the Civil Service recruitment form where you supply all information such as date and place of birth, state and local government of origin, qualifications and other details such as marital status, etc.

Ministries do not accept employment applications hence candidates wishing to join any Ministry whether at state or federal level have to apply through the Civil Service Commission.  Unlike in the private sector where applications for employment are written and sent, in the case of civil service such is not the norm or practice.  In some instances however the public service may accommodate such procedure/practice.

For those who may not be familiar with the differences between Civil and Public Service, both are government workers.  However, the nature of the employment contract differs.  Civil Servants are those staff that work directly with the government and are placed in Ministries and Departments.  The career and welfare of these staff are managed by Civil Service Commission.  On the other hand, Public Servants are staff who work for government but are placed in statutory agencies such as Central Bank, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Airports Authority, National Insurance Commission etc.  The procedures for appointment into these agencies significant differ with the procedure of getting into the main Civil Service.  The remuneration, terms and conditions of employment also materially differ from that of the Civil Service.  The welfare and career management of Public Servants differ from one Agency to another.

Another category of government workers worthy of mention are those in the Armed Forces, Para-military and other special agencies such as the Secret Service.  These arms of government have neither special processes of recruitment which is neither similar to private sector nor that of the civil/public service.  Because of the peculiar or nature of these agencies, some of them do advertise and ask candidates to indicate interest in joining these services either by completing form or simple application for employment letter.

The teaching profession is gradually becoming professionalised.  Teachers of Primary and Secondary School have a peculiar recruitment process just as University lecturers, Polytechnic, Colleges of Education and other Tertiary Institutions.  The recruitment process is also distinct and unique.

In general however, the Civil Service has its own unique and peculiar methodology of conducting screening of candidates particularly at interview level.

In general the Civil Service Commission does not administer any aptitude test to candidates prior to invitation for interview.  However, recently some government agencies have introduced aptitude test as part of screening processes for recruitment prior to interview.

“Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran, 96:1-5)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5: 11)