Joint Circular No. 01/2016/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV guiding the implementation of appointment and salary grading for staff in the science and technology specialty according to occupational titles.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for the implementation of appointment and salary grading according to occupational titles

for science and technology specialized civil servants

_________________________

Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to the Law on Science and Technology dated June 18, 2013;

Pursuant to DecreeNo. Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary system for cadres, civil servants, civil employees, and armed forces; DecreengNo. 17/2013/NĐ-CP dated December 19, 2013 of the Government amending Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary system for cadres, civil servants, civil employees, and armed forces;No. Decree No. 20/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2013 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, and organizational structure;, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP ,No. This Circular guides the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of District Health Centers in districts, towns, urban districts, and cities under provinces and cities directly governed by the central government (referred to collectively as District Health Centers).No. Based on Decree No. 58/2014/NĐ-CP dated June 16, 2014 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs, lthe Ministers of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs issue this Joint Circular guiding the implementation of appointment and salary grading according to occupational titles for science and technology specialized civil servants.

Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 of the Government stipulating regulations ondevelopmentPursuant to the Government Decree No. 79/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 17, 2017 on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

CamendPursuant to Decree No. 164No. This Joint Circular guides the implementation of appointment and salary grading according to occupational titles for science and technology specialized civil servants in public service units as stipulated in Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV dated October 1, 2014 of the Ministers of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs promulgating the code number and standards for occupational titles of science and technology specialized civil servants (hereinafter referred to as Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV).onThe Director of the Office, Heads of Payment Department, Heads of units under the State Bank of Vietnam; credit institutions, foreign bank branches, payment switching organizations, electronic transaction settlement organizations are responsible for implementing this Circular.of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairsu t, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP a) Safety equipment and labor protection equipment ensuring safe use of chemicals for conducting experiments and scientific research;

This Joint Circular applies to science and technology specialized civil servants as stipulated in Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV and science and technology specialized civil servants previously appointed to science and technology specialized civil servant ranks as stipulated in Decision No. 11/2006/QĐ-BNV dated October 5, 2006 of the Minister of the Ministry of Home Affairs on issuing the professional standards of science and technology specialized civil servant ranks (hereinafter referred to as Decision No. 11/2006/QĐ-BNV) and other related organizations and individuals.of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home AffairsGUIDELINES FOR APPOINTMENT AND SALARY GRADING ACCORDING TO OCCUPATIONAL TITLES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIZED CIVIL SERVANTS

Article 3. Principles for Appointment and Salary Grading According to Occupational Titles

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. The appointment to occupational titles of science and technology specialized civil servants as stipulated in Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV must be based on the position, responsibilities, and professional expertise currently held by the civil servant and in accordance with Clause 4 of this Circular.

Article 2. Applicability

2. When appointing from the current civil servant rank to the corresponding science and technology occupational title, it shall not combine with increasing salary grade or promoting occupational title grade of the civil servant.

Chapter II

Article 4. Cases of Appointment to Occupational Titles

Civil servants who have been appointed to science and technology specialized civil servant ranks as stipulated in Decision No. 11/2006/QĐ-BNV are now appointed to occupational titles of science and technology specialized civil servants as stipulated in Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV as follows:

1. For the group of research scientist occupational titles:

a) Appoint to the occupational title of Senior Researcher (Grade I), code V.05.01.01 for civil servants currently holding the Senior Researcher rank, code 13.090;

b) Appoint to the occupational title of Principal Researcher (Grade II), code V.05.01.02 for civil servants currently holding the Principal Researcher rank, code 13.091;

c) Appoint to the occupational title of Researcher (Grade III), code V.05.01.03 for civil servants currently holding the Researcher rank, code 13.092.

2. For the group of technology occupational titles:

a) Appoint to the occupational title of Senior Engineer (Grade I), code V.05.02.05 for civil servants currently holding the Senior Engineer rank, code 13.093;

b) Appoint to the occupational title of Principal Engineer (Grade II), code V.05.02.06 for civil servants currently holding the Principal Engineer rank, code 13.094;

c) Appoint to the occupational title of Engineer (Grade III), code V.05.02.07 for civil servants currently holding the Engineer rank, code 13.095;

d) Appoint to the occupational title of Technician (Grade IV), code V.05.02.08 for civil servants currently holding the Technician rank, code 13.096.

a) Appoint to the position of Senior Engineer (Class I), code number V.05.02.05 for civil servants currently holding the rank of Senior Engineer, code number 13.093;

b) Appoint to the position of Principal Engineer (Class II), code number V.05.02.06 for civil servants currently holding the rank of Principal Engineer, code number 13.094;

c) Appoint to the position of Engineer (Class III), code number V.05.02.07 for civil servants currently holding the rank of Engineer, code number 13.095;

d) Appoint to the position of Technician (Class IV), code number V.05.02.08 for civil servants currently holding the rank of Technician, code number 13.096.

Article 5. Salary Classification

1. The occupational titles of scientific and technological professionals specified in Circular Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV shall apply the Professional and Technical Salary Scale for civil servants and employees in state-run organizations (Scale 3) issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary systems for civil servants, public officials, employees, and armed forces personnel (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP), specifically as follows:

a) The occupational title of Senior Researcher (Class I) and Senior Engineer (Class I) shall apply the coefficient of Group A3, Category 1 (A3.1) from coefficient 6.20 to coefficient 8.00;

b) The occupational title of Principal Researcher (Class II) and Principal Engineer (Class II) shall apply the coefficient of Group A2, Category 1 (A2.1) from coefficient 4.40 to coefficient 6.78;

c) The occupational title of Researcher (Class III) and Engineer (Class III) shall apply the coefficient of Group A1 from coefficient 2.34 to coefficient 4.98;

2. Salary Classification Upon Completion of Probationary Period and Appointment to Occupational Title After completing the probationary period as prescribed and being appointed to an occupational title by the competent authority managing the employee, the following salary classification shall be implemented according to the appointed occupational title:

a) In cases where the recruited individual has a doctoral degree relevant to the job position, they shall be classified at level 3 with a coefficient of 3.00 for the occupational title of Researcher (Class III, code V.05.01.03) or Engineer (Class III, code V.05.02.07);

b) In cases where the recruited individual has a master's degree relevant to the job position, they shall be classified at level 2 with a coefficient of 2.67 for the occupational title of Researcher (Class III, code V.05.01.03) or Engineer (Class III, code V.05.02.07);

c) In cases where the recruited individual has a bachelor's degree relevant to the job position, they shall be classified at level 1 with a coefficient of 2.34 for the occupational title of Researcher (Class III, code V.05.01.03) or Engineer (Class III, code V.05.02.07);

3. Salary Classification for Employees Appointed to Occupational Titles of Scientific and Technological Professionals According to Clause 1 of this Article for employees who have been classified under the occupational titles of scientific and technological professionals as stipulated in Decision No. 11/2006/QĐ-BNV and Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP shall be carried out as follows:

In cases where employees meet the conditions for appointment to occupational titles of scientific and technological professionals, their current grade and seniority allowance above the ceiling (if applicable) under the old occupational title (including the time for the next pay grade review or the seniority allowance above the ceiling if applicable under the old occupational title) shall be maintained in the newly appointed occupational title.

Example 1: Mr. Nguyen Van H currently holds the occupational title of Researcher (code 13.092), level 3, coefficient 3.00 since May 1, 2013, now meets the conditions and is appointed by the competent authority to the occupational title of Researcher Class III (code V.05.01.03). He shall be classified at level 3 with a coefficient of 3.00 from the date of the decision; the time for the next pay grade review will be calculated from May 1, 2013.

 Starting from level 2 of the occupational title of Research Assistant (Class IV or Technician (Class IV)), every two years (24 months) thereafter, they shall be promoted to the next level (if there are interruptions without enjoying social insurance benefits, the periods shall be accumulated). In cases where there are years during which the tasks assigned are not completed or disciplinary actions are taken, the regular promotion period shall be extended according to regulations.

 After transferring to the salary classification under the occupational title of Research Assistant (Class IV) or Technician (Class IV), if the coefficient of the occupational title of Research Assistant (Class IV) or Technician (Class IV) plus the seniority allowance above the ceiling (if applicable) is lower than the coefficient enjoyed under the old occupational title, they shall enjoy the difference coefficient retained to match the coefficient under the old occupational title (including the seniority allowance above the ceiling, if applicable). This retained difference coefficient shall be enjoyed throughout the time the employee is classified under the occupational title of Research Assistant (Class IV) or Technician (Class IV). Subsequently, if the employee is promoted to a higher occupational title, the retained difference coefficient shall be added to the current coefficient (including the seniority allowance above the ceiling, if applicable) to classify the salary under the newly appointed occupational title upon promotion and cease to enjoy the retained difference coefficient from the date of receiving salary under the new occupational title.

Example 2: Mr. Nguyen Van B, with a college degree, was recruited to work as a civil servant at a public science and technology organization, contributing to the mandatory social insurance from June 1, 2005, and has been classified at level 4, with a salary coefficient of 3.03 for type A0 civil servants since December 1, 2014. During his tenure, he consistently fulfilled assigned tasks and was never disciplined. Now, upon being appointed by the competent authority to the position of research assistant (Grade IV, code V.05.01.04), he will be classified within the research assistant (Grade IV) position as follows:

Mr. Nguyen Van B's period of service from June 1, 2005, excluding the six-month probationary period, will be calculated starting from level 2 of the research assistant (Grade IV) position, advancing one level every two years. By December 1, 2013, Mr. Nguyen Van B will be classified at level 6, with a salary coefficient of 2.86 for the research assistant (Grade IV) position; the time for enjoying the new salary grade in the research assistant (Grade IV) position starts from the date of signing the decision; the next salary increase review period begins on December 1, 2013; concurrently, he will enjoy a retention differential coefficient of 0.17 (3.03 - 2.86).

By December 1, 2015 (after two years), Mr. Nguyen Van B meets the conditions for a regular promotion to level 7, with a salary coefficient of 3.06 for the research assistant (Grade IV) position, and continues to enjoy a retention differential coefficient of 0.17 (total salary coefficient received is 3.23).

5. The promotion of career rank for science and technology specialized civil servants shall be carried out after they have been appointed to the positions of specialized science and technology civil servants as stipulated in this Joint Circular and implemented according to the guidance provided in Clause 1, Section II of Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BNV dated May 25, 2007, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding salary classification when transferring to the same category of civil servants or civil servants.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 6. Effectiveness

This Joint Circular takes effect from March 1, 2016.

Article 7. Transitional Provisions

Civil servants who have been appointed to the ranks of specialized science and technology civil servants as specified in Decision No. 11/2006/QĐ-BNV are now appointed to the positions of specialized science and technology civil servants as defined in Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV. The competent authority managing and using civil servants is responsible for creating conditions for these civil servants to supplement the remaining criteria of the appointed specialized science and technology civil servant positions.

Article 8. Implementation organization

1. The head of units directly managing and using civil servants is responsible for:

a) Reviewing job positions within the unit, developing plans for appointment to specialized science and technology civil servant positions within their management authority, submitting them for consideration and decision-making by the competent authority or deciding according to the delegated authority;

b) Deciding on the appointment of specialized science and technology civil servant positions for managed civil servants according to the authority or delegated authority after the appointment plan has been approved by the competent authority.

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, provincial People's Committees, and centrally-administered city People's Committees shall be responsible for:

a) Directing subordinate units under their management to implement the appointment of specialized science and technology civil servant positions in public institutions;

b) Approving plans for the appointment of specialized science and technology civil servant positions and salary classification for those currently holding civil servant ranks and transitioning to specialized science and technology civil servant positions as defined in Joint Circular No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV; resolving issues within their authority during the transition process;

c) Deciding on the appointment of specialized science and technology civil servant positions and salary classification for managed civil servants according to their authority. For the appointment of senior research scientists (Grade I) and senior engineers (Grade I), a written request must be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for decision;

d) Reporting the results of the appointment of specialized science and technology civil servant positions within their management scope to the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 9. Responsibility for implementation

1. The Minister, Head of a ministry equivalent to a ministry, Head of a government agency, Chairman of the People's Committee of a province or centrally governed city, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Joint Circular.

2. In the course of implementation, if difficulties or obstacles arise, organizations and individuals are requested to report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation and coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine and resolve them./.