Commissioners' Recruitment Principles

Recruitment Principles replace the Commissioners’ Recruitment Code

The Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles came into effect on 1 April 2009.

The Recruitment Principles reflect the continuing evolution of the Commissioners’ role as guardians of the principle of recruitment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. They came into effect following amendments to the Civil Service Order in Council and the Diplomatic Service Order in Council. They are mandatory for departments and agencies.

The Recruitment Principles are high level, focused and accessible. They make it clear that in developing and applying recruitment processes that best meet their business needs, departments and agencies must operate in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and must test their own practices against them.

The Recruitment Principles are now the key source document to which departments and agencies must refer for the Commissioners’ interpretation of the principle of appointment on merit of the basis of fair and open competition.  The Principles also outline the circumstances in which appointments may be made as exceptions to the principle of merit.

Evolution of the Commissioners’ role

Practical application

Continuity

Developments: exceptions