The government is preparing to reduce the state apparatus: in the first stage, about 4,300 positions will be eliminated.

Ukraine is starting a reform of the state apparatus, which involves optimizing the number of positions in central executive bodies. At the first stage, it is planned to reduce about 4,300 vacant positions, and the number of deputies in ministries by almost 20%. At the same time, there is no talk of mass dismissal of current civil servants at the moment.

The Cabinet of Ministers explained that before making further personnel decisions, they plan to conduct a functional diagnosis of state bodies.

Which positions will be cut first

At the first stage of the reform, the government plans to eliminate about 4,300 vacant positions in central executive bodies.

In addition, it is planned to reduce the number of managerial positions:

in ministries, the number of deputies is planned to be reduced by almost 20%;

in other central executive bodies – by 18%.

At the same time, the initial stage of the reform will concern vacant positions, and not the dismissal of employees who currently work in state bodies.

Will current civil servants be dismissed?

The issue of the actual number of employees is planned to be reviewed after conducting a functional diagnosis.

It should show which functions in state bodies are duplicated, which tasks need to be preserved, and how many employees are needed to perform them. Only after that can further decisions be made regarding the number of staff.

Thus, the announced reduction of 4,300 positions does not mean the automatic dismissal of such a number of civil servants – at this stage we are talking about vacant staff units.

They want to restore civil service competitions

Another direction of reform is the return of full-fledged competitive selection for the civil service.

To launch transparent competitions, the government is waiting for the parliament to approve draft law No. 13478-1, which, according to the information in the material, has only passed the first reading.

It is also planned to introduce a single framework of competencies for civil servants. Key areas of professional development include leadership skills, digitalization, integrity, and European integration expertise.

They want to more actively involve youth and veterans in the civil service

The reform involves not only reducing positions, but also changing approaches to forming a personnel reserve.

The government plans to expand opportunities for internships and creating first jobs, as well as adapt procedures for entering the civil service for youth and veterans.

Separate areas of the system reboot should be the development of digital governance and increasing the efficiency of local state administrations.