Circular No. 25/2017/TT-BLDTBXH stipulates the conditions, contents, and forms of examination or assessment for promotion to higher ranks in the social work profession for civil servants in public service units.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on conditions, contents, forms of examination or assessment for promotion to higher ranks in occupational titles of social work professionals
in public service units
in public service units

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Pursuant to the Law on Public Officials No. 58/2010/QH12 dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 on recruitment, utilization, and management of public officials;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 14/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017 on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs;

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Social Assistance Administration;

The Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs issues this Circular stipulating the conditions, contents, and forms of examination or assessment for promotion to higher ranks in occupational titles of social work professionals in public service units.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1.  This Circular stipulates the conditions, contents, and forms of examination or assessment for promotion to higher ranks in occupational titles of social work professionals in public service units.

Article 2.  This Circular applies to social work professionals participating in examinations or being assessed for promotion to higher ranks in occupational titles of social work professionals in public service units and related organizations and individuals.

Article 3. Principles of examination or assessment for promotion

The organization of examinations or assessments for promotion to higher ranks for public officials shall be carried out according to the following principles:

Clause 1.  In accordance with authority, procedures, formalities, and regulations on examinations or assessments for promotion to higher ranks for public officials.

Clause 2.  Ensuring appropriate positions and structures of public officials according to occupational titles and the needs of public service units.

Clause 3.  Public officials must meet the conditions of the occupational title they are registering for examination or assessment for promotion.

Clause 4.  Ensuring equality, fairness, transparency, objectivity, and compliance with the law.

Article 3. Conditions for participation in examinations or assessments for promotion

Public officials may register to participate in examinations or assessments for promotion to higher ranks in occupational titles of social work professionals if they meet the following conditions:

Clause 1.  Public service units have a need and are authorized to nominate for participation in examinations or assessments for promotion to higher ranks.

Clause 2.  Currently holding an occupational title with the same first four digits in the occupational title code as the occupational title they are registering for examination or assessment for promotion.

Clause 3.  Meeting the standards of the rank of the occupational title they are registering for examination or assessment for promotion as prescribed in Joint Circular No. 30/2015/TTLT-BLDTBX-BNV dated August 19, 2015 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs on occupational title codes and standards for social work professionals.

Clause 4.  Being evaluated by the employing agency or unit as having sufficient moral character and professional ethics, and performing well in their duties for three consecutive years up to the time of submitting the application for examination or assessment for promotion.

Chapter II

CONTENTS AND FORMS OF EXAMINATIONS OR ASSESSMENTS FOR PROMOTION TEACHER OCCUPATIONAL TITLES

Article 4. Examination for promotion from Rank III to Rank II in occupational titles of social work professionals

Clause 1. Common knowledge subject

Sub-clause a) Form of examination: Written.

Sub-clause b) Duration of examination: 180 minutes.

Sub-clause c) Content of examination: Testing knowledge of Party guidelines, State policies, and laws on social welfare in general and social work in particular; viewpoints, strategic development orientations, policy-making capabilities, and professional law knowledge relevant to the occupational title of social work professional (Rank II).

Sub-clause d) Volume of knowledge and structure of the examination questions and content about the field of examination is 70% of the examination content and about public official laws is 30% of the examination content.

Clause 2. Professional subject

Sub-clause a) Form of examination: Multiple choice (on computer or paper) or practical (interview or presentation) decided by the Examination Board.

Sub-clause b) Duration of examination: Multiple choice 45 minutes or practical 30 minutes/person.

Sub-clause c) Content of examination: Testing knowledge and ability to solve practical problems linked to the standards of professional qualifications and capabilities of Rank II occupational titles in the field of examination; discussing professional issues within the field of responsibility.

Clause 3. Foreign language subject

Sub-clause a) Form of examination: Written.

Sub-clause b) Duration of examination: 90 minutes.

Sub-clause c) Content of examination: Testing reading comprehension and writing skills at level 3 as prescribed by the standards of Rank II occupational titles.

4. Computer Science subject

Sub-clause a) Form of examination: Multiple choice or practical on computer.

Sub-clause b) Duration of examination: 45 minutes.

Sub-clause c) Content of examination: Testing knowledge of Windows operating system, using Microsoft Office applications, and using the Internet.

Article 5. Examination for promotion from Level IV to Level III for social work professionals

1. Form of examination: Review of application files and assessment of professional qualifications.

2. Application file for examination: The application file must meet all criteria for the social work professional title (Level III).

3. Assessment and evaluation of qualifications and capabilities, proposing solutions to address current practical issues in accordance with the professional qualification and capability standards of the social work professional title (Level III), using an interview method (or a 30-minute practical exercise per person) as determined by the Promotion Examination Board.

4. The head of a public service unit shall organize the implementation of the examination for promotion of professional titles in accordance with Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BNV dated December 18, 2012, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on professional titles and changes to professional titles for civil servants.

Article 6. Conditions for exemption from foreign language and information technology subjects in examinations or promotions for social work professional titles

1. Exemption from the foreign language subject for civil servants who meet one of the following conditions:

a) As of December 31 of the year in which the examination or promotion of professional titles is organized, male civil servants are at least 55 years old and female civil servants are at least 50 years old.

b) Hold a second bachelor's degree in a foreign language among English, French, Russian, German, or Chinese.

c) Have studied or researched full-time abroad and obtained a bachelor's or master's degree from an overseas educational institution taught in one of the languages English, Russian, French, German, or Chinese, and the degree has been recognized by the competent authority according to current regulations.

d) Possess a foreign language certificate at Level 3 (B1 according to the European Framework) within a two-year validity period, or hold an international English language certificate such as TOEFL PBT 450 points, TOEFL CBT 133 points, TOEFL IBT 45 points, IELTS 4.5 points or higher for promotion from social worker (Level III) to senior social worker (Level II). These foreign language certificates must be valid for two years (24 months) up to the deadline for submitting application forms for the examination.

e) Civil servants belonging to ethnic minorities and those working in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities (this does not apply to examinations for promotion from Level III to Level II).

2. Exemption from the information technology subject for civil servants who have graduated from a technical college in information technology or above.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 7. Implementation Provisions

1. The Minister, the Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, the Heads of Government Agencies, the Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees, and the Heads of Public Service Units shall base their decisions on the conditions stipulated in this Circular within their respective authorities to examine promotions of professional titles, organize examinations for promotions of professional titles, and bear responsibility for the criteria and conditions of civil servants eligible for promotion and participating in examinations for promotions of social work professional titles in accordance with the law.

2. In cases where it is not possible to organize separate examinations, they shall compile the requirements and submit lists of civil servants meeting the criteria and conditions for promotion of various professional titles of social work professionals as specified in Article 3 of this Circular to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs before March 31 each year so that the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs can coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to organize joint examinations.

Article 8. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 15, 2017.

2. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties, please report them to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for guidance or resolution.