Reforming the Civil Service System in Kazakhstan: Three Innovative Solutions and Priorities

Abstract

The article considers the process of reforming the civil service system in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on a literature review, analysis of legal acts, program documents, the stages of civil service reform, the process of building a “listening”, highquality, accountable, professional and pragmatic state apparatus are considered. The empirical data reveals the goals, functions, factors and prospects for reforming the civil service towards building the New Kazakhstan. The results of the study show that, despite the systemic measures undertaken during civil service reforms over the past 30 years, remarkable changes have not been fully achieved (the average rating of respondents – civil servants, is 5.9 out of 10). Questions about monetary support and civil servants’ competency development remain open. In particular, low wages, insufficient motivation and competency levels are among the top three current issues. Taking into account a retrospective analysis of civil service reform, as well as the data obtained during a survey, three innovative priorities for further improvement of the civil service are suggested.