-Meant to Strengthen Public Sector Efficiency
Liberia has taken a transformative step in public sector recruitment with the inauguration of the National Civil Service Testing Center, a modern, computer-based facility designed to ensure fair and merit-based civil service recruitment.
The ceremony, held on Thursday, October 31, at the E.J.S. Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, marks a significant advancement in Liberia’s public sector development efforts.
Speaking at the event, Liberia’s Vice President, Honorable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, highlighted the center’s role in improving the nation’s recruitment process.
“This modern, computer-based testing facility is a landmark achievement for our civil service and represents a critical advancement in our commitment to strengthen public service recruitment,” he stated. “The Civil Service remains the engine of our nation’s workforce, and it is necessary that we recruit our very best; a workforce of quality, competence, patriotism, and dedication.”
Vice President Koung underscored the center’s promise to recruit candidates based on competence and integrity. “With this center, we affirm our dedication to ensuring that Liberia’s civil service is built on a foundation of the most skilled and qualified individuals,” he said. “This facility is more than an investment in technology—it is a transformation in how we select those who will serve Liberia.”
The center will replace Liberia’s previous paper-based recruitment system, which was susceptible to inefficiencies. “Securing a position in government will rely on merit, competence, and a true desire to serve the people,” Koung remarked. “As we open this remarkable facility, let us reaffirm our commitment to the values it represents: fairness, integrity, and a continuous pursuit of excellence in public service.”
Civil Service Agency (CSA) Director General Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. detailed the center’s advanced features, noting that it includes 27 individual testing cubicles, each equipped with high-tech devices to streamline assessments.
“This upgrade allows for a quicker recruitment timeline, ensuring that highly qualified personnel are swiftly placed in critical roles, thus fostering a more agile and responsive civil service,” Joekai said.
Each testing cubicle provides a comfortable and user-friendly experience, featuring wireless technology and easy-to-use interaction tools. “These upgrades in infrastructure set the National Civil Service Testing Center apart from similar facilities in other countries and regions, where candidates often face cramped testing environments,” Joekai added.
The system, which allows candidates to register online or in person, creates customized exam questions based on the intended role. Successful candidates receive immediate results and a certification. Joekai emphasized that this shift will help build an honest, capable public sector, saying, “The National Civil Service Testing Center is evidence of our dedication to honesty, equity, and public confidence.”
Carl Smith, Chief Technology Officer at Mutana Consulting and Technology, acknowledged the partnership in developing the center’s secure, technologically advanced platform. “We’re proud to see the first-ever testing center, powered by technology developed at Liberia for Liberia,” Smith noted.
He highlighted the added features for offline functionality and enhanced security. “We’ve implemented an online system that allows applicants to register, take the test, and receive immediate certification,” he said, emphasizing the commitment to transparency and security in the recruitment process.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Programs, Mr. Louis Kuukpen, expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing its importance in establishing a skilled civil service workforce. “The effectiveness and efficiency of the government to deliver on its promises is measured by the productivity and commitment of the civil service workforce,” he said.
Kuukpen commended the CSA for prioritizing inclusivity, saying, “This digital platform must include the needs of persons with disabilities. Public services must be served by men and women who are professional, skilled, selfless, and honest.”
Kuukpen advocated for continued civil service reforms, including aligning skills to roles and providing necessary resources for public servants. “Our investment in professionalizing the Liberia Immigration Service over the past three years is a testament to our dedication,” he explained. “Public servants should have the tools they need to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.”
