The UNBA has warned against weakening the open competition process in the civil service

The resumption of competitive examinations in the civil service is necessary following a period of wartime simplifications. However, certain provisions of Draft Law No. 13478-1 could diminish the role of open competitive examinations as a safeguard against political and administrative influence.

The labor law Committee of the Ukrainian National Bar Association analyzed Draft Law No. 13478-1 dated July 16, 2025, «On amendments to certain laws of Ukraine regarding the resumption of competitive examinations and the improvement of the procedure for entry into, service in and termination of civil service», which was adopted as a basis by the Verkhovna Rada.

The document proposes reinstating competitive exams as the primary mechanism for entry into the civil service. At the same time, it provides for the retention of the expanded exceptions introduced during martial law. Concurrently, a transitional model is being established to gradually transfer individuals appointed without competitive exams into the competitive system once the situation stabilizes.

The UNBA identified the partial weakening of the open competition principle as the key risk of the draft. This is because the draft proposes introducing an internal competition mechanism, which allows for promotions exclusively among employees of the relevant agency. While this accelerates personnel decisions, it reduces the level of external competition.

The performance evaluation system is also undergoing significant changes. Today, it is primarily of a monitoring and formal nature, whereas in the draft it becomes a key career management tool. Its results will influence promotions, the possibility of appointment or transfer without a competitive selection process, and bonuses, while two consecutive negative evaluations may serve as grounds for dismissal. The UNBA cautioned that without clear standards, independent oversight, and effective appeal mechanisms, such a system could become a tool for exerting pressure or manually promoting desired candidates.

The advocates also highlighted the risks of a contract-based civil service model. Contracts may increase management flexibility but reduce service stability, potentially increase political dependence, and create the risk of transforming the civil service into a system of temporary managers.

In light of the above, the UNBA conceptually supported the draft law, which is an attempt to modernize the Ukrainian civil service and adapt it to the conditions of war and post-war recovery. At the same time, the association proposed refining the document: limiting instances of internal competition, establishing a maximum percentage of positions that can be filled without an open competition, detailing the independent evaluation procedure, providing for an effective appeal process for its results, and narrowing the possibilities for circumventing open competition through the personnel reserve.

The full text of the UNBA’s comments and proposals on Draft Law No. 13478-1 can be viewed at this link.