By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – In a significant move to overhaul Liberia’s public service, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has initiated sweeping reforms, highlighted by the launch of the National Civil Service Testing Center (NCSTC) and the implementation of a mandatory computerized civil service examination. These initiatives, designed to foster transparency, competence, and meritocracy across government institutions, were officially announced by CSA Director General Josiah F. Joekai Jr. at a press briefing today, Thursday, July 24, 2025.
“These are not symbolic changes,” stated Director Joekai, “they are part of a deliberate and systemic effort to rebuild a competent, service-driven and accountable civil service that delivers for the Liberian people.”
The NCSTC, officially dedicated by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung on October 31, 2024, marks a pivotal shift from traditional paper-based assessments to a modern, computerized model. The center is equipped with rigorous digital protocols aimed at eliminating human interference, reducing processing delays, and enhancing the integrity of recruitment processes across all government ministries, agencies, and commissions (MACs).
Vice President Koung lauded the NCSTC as a “major step toward professionalizing the civil service and restoring public confidence in the fairness of government hiring.” This initiative directly aligns with President Joseph N. Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes reform, efficiency, and good governance as foundational pillars of national development.
Ahead of its nationwide implementation, the CSA conducted mock examinations from May 5 to June 20, 2025, allowing prospective applicants to familiarize themselves with the new digital testing system. A total of 158 candidates (129 males and 29 females) participated in these unscored tests, which CSA officials reported as instrumental in proving the system’s efficiency with “high marks.”
Official testing commenced on June 23, 2025. As of today, 82 candidates (60 males and 22 females) have successfully completed the mandatory examination.
Effective Monday, July 28, 2025, the CSA will only process Personnel Action Notices (PANs) from government institutions if they are accompanied by a certificate of successful completion of the civil service exam administered by the NCSTC. This measure, officials emphasized, is consistent with Chapter 3, Section 3.2.1 of the Standing Orders for the Civil Service, which mandates merit-based appointments for all classified government positions. PANs submitted without valid exam certificates after July 28 will be rejected, though earlier submissions will be reviewed individually.
The CSA clarified that not all roles require examination under the new system. Section 3.2.5 of the Civil Service Standing Orders exempts certified professionals such as medical doctors, nurses, midwives, engineers, auditors, and chartered accountants, as well as general support staff like drivers, janitors, cooks, and dispatchers. “These exemptions help preserve technical expertise while ensuring rigorous assessment for administrative and policy-critical roles,” the Agency stated.
As part of broader workforce reform, the CSA also addressed concerns regarding the underutilization of the President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP) and long-serving government volunteers. A new directive now requires that all MACs prove the unavailability of qualified PYPP members or institutional volunteers before hiring externally. “This ensures that competent individuals already trained through government programs are prioritized for available positions,” Director Joekai stressed.
The Agency further cautioned against uncoordinated hiring of temporary or volunteer staff without prior CSA approval, which often leads to parallel payrolls and fiscal inefficiencies. “All staffing, temporary or permanent, must be coordinated with CSA to prevent administrative irregularities and safeguard public funds,” the Agency emphasized.
While reaffirming the government’s commitment to employment creation, the CSA acknowledged that the public sector alone cannot absorb Liberia’s growing workforce, particularly its expanding youth population. “We urge the private sector, development partners, and investors to take the lead in creating job opportunities,” said a CSA spokesperson, calling for strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, and the Liberia Business Association.
The CSA also highlighted the need for vocational training and workforce alignment policies to help young people become job-ready and competitive in both public and private sectors.
In closing, CSA leadership reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to merit-based recruitment, eliminating ghost names from the government payroll, absorbing qualified PYPP graduates and long-serving volunteers, and filling critical gaps in health, education, agriculture, and national security sectors.
Special recognition was given to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for backing the NCSTC through a Strategic Enterprise Package that ensures uninterrupted internet access, boosting the center’s operational efficiency.
The Civil Service Agency concluded by calling on all institutions, civil servants, and stakeholders to rally around the reform agenda to build a transparent, responsive, and professional public sector that truly works in the interest of the Liberian people.
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