Over 1400 Applicants Write Civil Service Entrance Exams
By: Amadu Femoh Sesay
Communications Manager, PSC
From top to bottom: Cross Sections of Applicants at Makeni, Kenema & Freetown Examination Centres
The Public Service Commission (PSC) on Saturday, 31st August, 2024 held the second phase of its Civil Service Entrance Examinations for over One Thousand Four Hundred (1400) job seekers who applied for the Immigration Officer (Grade 7) and Assistant Immigration Officer (Grade 6) positions advertised by the PSC. It could be recalled that the Commission on Saturday, 24th August, 2024 conducted its first phase of these examinations for One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-Two (1752) applicants who applied for the Administrative Officer position.
The examinations were concurrently held at the following centres: Saint Francis Secondary School in Makeni, Bo Government Secondary School in Bo, Government Model Secondary School and Government Rokel Secondary School in Freetown, and Ansarul Islamic Secondary School in Kenema.
These examinations are part of the Commission’s competency-based recruitment process to attract competent personnel into the Sierra Leone Civil Service. They are also a reflection of the Commission’s commitment to Revamp the Public Service Architecture of Sierra Leone in consonance with Cluster 4 of the Five Big Changers of the Government of Sierra Leone’s national development aspirations.
According to data from the PSC’s Recruitment and Career Development Department, over Six Thousand (6000) job applicants applied for the above two (2) positions and twelve (12) other categories. After thorough evaluation of the applications, only Four Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Three (4833) applicants met the requirement for the examinations, which are currently being held in three phases.
Addressing applicants at the Government Model Secondary School Centre in Freetown, Commissioner Doreen Faux said the PSC was conducting these entrance examinations as a means to attract not only competent individuals, but also officers who have integrity and would add value to the Civil Service. The Commissioner informed the applicants that their individual performance will determine their appearance at the oral interview. She admonished them to refrain from indulging into any examination practices which would undermine their success in the recruitment process.
Welcoming the applicants at the Ansarul Islamic Secondary School Centre in Kenema City, the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Mohamed Jusu congratulated them for making it to the next stage of the recruitment process, following a thorough and robust assessment of their applications. He told the applicants that the examination exercise was in line with the provision of Section 152 (1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which mandates the PSC “…to appoint persons to hold or act in offices in the public service (including power to make appointments on promotion and to confirm appointments) and to dismiss and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices…”.
He said the examinations were part of the Commission’s competency-based recruitment process to attract competent personnel into the work force of the Civil Service of Sierra Leone. Mr. Jusu encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity and also assured the job seekers of a fair and competitive recruitment process.
Speaking on behalf of the applicants at Kenema Centre, Ahmed J. Sheriff commended the PSC for not only managing a recruitment exercise that was competitive, inclusive and fair, but also for deepening its decentralization effort by ensuring that the services of the Commission are taken to the door steps of its clients in the Regions. Also, a female applicant in Freetown, who chose not to be identified expressed similar sentiment.
The third phase of these examinations will be held on Saturday 7th September, 2024, for Accountant, Assistant Accountant, News Editor, Photo Journalist, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Assistant Executive Engineer, Senior Proof Reader, Water Mapping Officer, and Assistant Water Mapping Officer positions.