Application of the Competency Framework is mandatory for all vacancies announced after 1st October 2017, in accordance with Article 39 (5) of the Rulebook on Character and Content of Public Competition, Carrying out of the Interview and Interview Form ("Official Gazette of BiH", Nos. 63/16 and 21/17) - (hereinafter: the Rulebook). Articles 28 to 38 of the Rulebook define the interview procedure using the Competency Framework.
The newly-conceived interview, in accordance with the Rulebook, contains determination of level of knowledge of a job applicant (Article 31), and testing and assessment of competencies (Article 32).
The level of knowledge is determined through questions related to job description and tasks of a position, activities of the institution, public administration, civil service and other areas of knowledge and skills relevant for the announced position (Article 31 (1)). In the case of the selection of an applicant for a public announcement in which an applicant took the written part of the professional exam, questions shall, as a rule, be asked from those areas that have not been tested in the written part of the professional exam (Article 31 (2)). Moreover, questions could be directed to clarification of answers provided in the written part of the professional exam (Article 28).
Competencies represent the ways of behaviour required for efficient performance of tasks of a certain position, as stated in Article 28 (3) of the Rulebook. One could say that competencies represent a set of knowledge, skills and experience. Moreover, one could say that competencies apply to all those characteristics which initiate and shape behaviour which is of crucial importance for success at workplace. On this page you can also see the Manual for the use of a competency framework in the recruitment process for the civil service in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The manual is owned by EU HRM project and was developed as part of EU-funded project.
Questions for testing of competencies are related to a previous behaviour of an applicant in a situation in which the competencies being tested were manifested by the applicant. As a rule, questions for testing of competencies are asked in such a way that an applicant is asked to describe a previous specific situation in which the required competence was expressed, the task that was set, the activity undertaken by an applicant and the result of the given activity.
"Communication" is mandatory competency tested and assessed during the interview for all positions of civil servants. In addition to "Communication", "Leadership skills" and "Planning and organising" are mandatory competencies for managerial civil servants and heads of internal organisation units. Moreover, besides the mandatory competencies, the Selection Committee is obliged to identify and select one additional priority competency, i.e. competency required for performance of a particular position.
The Selection Committee determines the questions for the interview at the meeting immediately before the interview, as defined in Article 30 of the Rulebook.
More information on description, definitions, examples of questions for testing of competencies and similar can be found in The Rulebook on Character and Content of Public Competition, Carrying out of the Interview and Interview Form.
Competency framework
