Joint Circular No. 30/2015/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BNV stipulates the code number and qualification standards for positions in the social work profession for specialized civil servants.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Regulations on job code and qualification standards for specialized land administration officials

social work professionals

_________________

Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law No. 58/2010/QH12 dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 of the Government on recruitment, use, and management of civil servants;

Pursuant to Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary regulations for civil servants, public officials, and members of the armed forces; and Decree No. 17/2013/ND-CP dated February 19, 2013 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004 on salary regulations for civil servants, public officials, and members of the armed forces;

Pursuant to Decree No. 106/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 58/2014/NĐ-CP dated June 16, 2014, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

The Minister of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs and the Minister of Home Affairs issue this Circular stipulating job code and qualification standards for social work professionals.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular stipulates job codes, qualification standards, and appointment and grading for social work professionals.

2. This Circular applies to social work professionals working in public service organizations providing services in the field of social welfare.

Article 2. Job Code and Classification of Social Work Professional Positions

1. Senior Social Worker (Class II) Job Code: V.09.04.01

2. Social Worker (Class III) Job Code: V.09.04.02

3. Social Work Assistant (Class IV) Job Code: V.09.04.03

Article 3. General ethical standards for social work professionals

1. Possess good political and moral qualities; comply with the Party's policies and State laws.

2. Place the interests of the beneficiaries as the primary goal in professional activities, have a sense of protecting long-term and continuous benefits for the beneficiaries; respect privacy, self-determination rights, and confidentiality of the beneficiaries; encourage and support the beneficiaries to achieve appropriate goals.

3. Not exploit professional relationships for personal gain affecting client assistance.

4. Respect, be open-minded, cooperative, empathetic, and share with colleagues in professional activities.

5. Always fulfill all duties of a public official in professional activities.

6. Continuously study to improve professional skills in social work.

Chapter II
OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

Article 4. Senior Social Worker (Class II) - Job Code: V.09.04.01

1. General Responsibilities

Lead the organization, direct, and implement complex social work tasks requiring advanced theoretical knowledge, methods, and practical skills.

2. Specific Responsibilities

a) Organize screening, categorization, and reception of beneficiaries;

b) Lead the assessment of psychological and physical conditions, background, and social work service needs of beneficiaries;

c) Lead the development and implementation of assistance plans for beneficiaries;

d) Lead the provision of complex social work services including counseling, consultation, therapy, rehabilitation, education, negotiation, mediation, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns;

đ) Lead the monitoring and review of intervention activities; adjust assistance plans if necessary;

e) Lead data collection, analysis, and forecasting of beneficiary progress;

g) Organize community integration support for beneficiaries;

h) Lead the evaluation and summarization of social work activities; propose amendments and supplements to standards and procedures for social work activities;

i) Lead or participate in research projects on social work;

k) Advise on the development of short-term and long-term strategies, plans, programs, and organizational models for social work services;

l) Participate in compiling content, curricula, textbooks, and training materials on social work and provide guidance on social work practices for social workers and social work volunteers.

3. Educational and Training Standards

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in social work, sociology, psychology, special education, or other relevant social science fields suitable for social work tasks. In cases where a bachelor's degree is obtained in another social science field, a certificate of social work vocational training according to a program issued by the Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs must be held;

b) Have a foreign language proficiency level of at least Level 3 as prescribed in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014 of the Ministry of Education and Training on the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam;

c) Meet the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications on information technology skill standards;

d) Hold a certificate of senior social worker (Class II) vocational training standard.

Article 4. Professional Competence Standards

a) Have the ability to lead and direct the implementation of social work activities;

b) Have the ability to effectively coordinate with related agencies, units, and individuals during the execution of social work tasks;

c) Possess the ability to synthesize and generalize activities related to professional expertise to propose solutions to improve the effectiveness of social work activities;

d) Have the ability to guide social work practices consistent with the trained specialty.

5. Promotion to the position of Senior Social Worker (Class II)

A professional promoted from the position of Social Worker (Class III) to Senior Social Worker (Class II) must have at least nine years of experience in the position of Social Worker (Class III) or equivalent, including at least three years in the most recent period holding the position of Social Worker (Class III).

Article 5. Social Worker (Class III) - Code: V.09.04.02

1. General Responsibilities

Direct the implementation of social work tasks with basic requirements in theory, methods, and practical skills.

2. Specific Responsibilities

a) Screen, classify, and accept subjects;

b) Evaluate psychological and physical conditions, background, and social work service needs of subjects;

c) Develop and implement assistance plans for subjects;

d) Directly provide and perform basic-level social work services such as counseling, consultation, therapy, rehabilitation, education, negotiation, mediation, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns;

đ) Monitor and review intervention activities according to assigned tasks; propose adjustments to assistance plans if necessary;

e) Support subjects in integrating into the community;

g) Collect data, synthesize, analyze, and forecast the progress of subjects;

h) Evaluate and draw lessons from social work business activities within the scope of assigned tasks; propose modifications and supplements to social work standards and procedures;

i) Participate in research projects on social work within the assigned scope;

k) Participate in compiling programs, textbooks, and materials on social work and training and guiding social work practices for staff and volunteers according to assigned tasks.

3. Educational and Training Standards

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in social work, sociology, psychology, special education, or other relevant social science fields suitable for social work tasks. In cases where the bachelor's degree is in another social science field, a certificate of social work vocational training according to a program issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs must be obtained;

b) Possess a level 2 proficiency in foreign languages as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam;

c) Meet the basic information technology skill standards as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications regarding information technology skill standards;

d) Hold a certificate of vocational training for the social worker position (Class III);

Article 4. Professional Competence Standards

a) Possessing independent capability and proficiency in social work skills and tasks;

b) Being able to grasp theories and practical methods during the execution of social work tasks appropriately;

c) Having the ability to lead and coordinate with organizations and individuals during the execution of social work tasks; being personally responsible for the results of assigned tasks;

d) Having the ability to guide social work practices, disseminate experiences, and participate in scientific research in the field of social work;

đ) Identifying the assistance needs of clients and determining appropriate solutions;

Article 6. Social Work Staff (Class IV) - Code: V.09.04.03

Be responsible for performing some simple social work tasks with basic requirements in theory, methods, and practical skills according to assigned tasks.

a) Participate in screening, classifying, and accepting subjects according to assigned tasks;

b) Conduct evaluations of psychological and physical conditions, background, and needs of subjects according to assigned tasks;

c) Propose and directly implement assistance plans for subjects or groups of subjects within the specific scope assigned;

1. General Responsibilities

d) Participate in providing and performing simple-level social work services including counseling, consultation, therapy, rehabilitation, education, negotiation, mediation, and public awareness campaigns within the assigned scope;

2. Specific Responsibilities

đ) Participate in monitoring and reviewing intervention activities; propose adjustments to assistance plans if necessary according to assigned tasks;

e) Participate in supporting subjects in integrating into the community within the assigned scope;

g) Participate in collecting data, synthesizing, analyzing, and forecasting the progress of subjects;

h) Be directly responsible for performing some social work tasks assigned.

a) Hold an associate degree or higher in social work, sociology, psychology, special education, or other relevant social science fields suitable for social work tasks. In cases where the degree is in another social science field, a certificate of social work vocational training according to a program issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs must be obtained;

b) Possess a level 1 proficiency or higher in foreign languages as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam;

d) Hold a certificate of vocational training for the social work staff position (Class IV);

b) Have the ability to work in teams during the execution of social work tasks;

3. Educational and Training Standards

c) Possess communication skills with subjects;

d) Have the ability to identify assistance needs of subjects.

c) Meet the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications on information technology skill standards;

Article 1. The appointment to the professional position for specialized social work staff must be based on the assigned job position and the ability to meet the requirements of the professional position standards for specialized social work staff as stipulated in Article 8 of this Joint Circular.

Article 4. Professional Competence Standards

a) Possess independent capability and proficiency in performing social work skills within the scope of assigned tasks;

Article 2. When appointing from the current staff grade to the corresponding specialized social work professional position, it shall not be combined with salary grade increase or promotion of the staff professional position.

c) Possess communication skills with subjects;

d) Possess the ability to identify the need for assistance of subjects.

Chapter III

GUIDELINES FOR APPOINTMENT AND SALARY GRADING

ACCORDING TO OCCUPATIONAL TITLES

Article 7. Principles for Appointment to Professional Titles

1. The appointment to the position of social work professional title must be based on the assigned job position and the ability to meet the requirements of the professional title standards for social work professionals, in accordance with Article 8 of this Joint Circular.

2. When appointing from the current civil servant grade to the corresponding social work professional title, it shall not be combined with salary increment or promotion of the professional title grade of civil servants.

Article 8. Cases for appointment to professional positions in the social work specialty

1. Appointment to the professional position of senior social worker (Class II, code: V.09.04.01) for civil servants currently holding the rank of senior social worker, rank code 24.291.

2. Appointment to the professional position of social worker (Class III, code: V.09.04.02) for civil servants currently holding the rank of social worker, rank code 24.292.

3. Appointment to the professional position of social work assistant (Class IV, code: V.09.04.03) for civil servants currently holding the rank of social work assistant, rank code 24.293 and those with an associate degree in social work.

Article 9. Salary Grading Method

1. The professional positions of civil servants in the social work specialty shall apply the salary scale for technical and vocational staff in state-run organizations (Scale 3) issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004, of the Government on the salary system for cadres, civil servants, public officials, and armed forces personnel, as follows:

a) The professional position of senior social worker (Class II) shall apply the salary coefficient of Class A2 group 1 (A2.1), from coefficient 4.40 to coefficient 6.78;

b) The professional position of social worker (Class III) shall apply the salary coefficient of Class A1, from coefficient 2.34 to coefficient 4.98;

c) The professional position of social work assistant (Class IV) shall apply the salary coefficient of Class B, from coefficient 1.86 to coefficient 4.06.

2. Salary ranking upon completion of probation period and appointment to professional position

After completing the probationary period as prescribed and being appointed to a professional position by the competent authority managing civil servants, the following steps shall be taken to classify the salary grade within the appointed professional position:

a) In cases where the person holds a doctorate in social work, they shall be classified at grade 3, with a salary coefficient of 3.00 for the professional position of social worker (Class III, code: V.09.04.02);

b) In cases where the person holds a master's degree in social work, they shall be classified at grade 2, with a salary coefficient of 2.67 for the professional position of social worker (Class III, code: V.09.04.02);

c) In cases where the person holds an associate degree in social work, they shall be classified at grade 2, with a salary coefficient of 2.06 for the professional position of social work assistant (Class IV, code: V.09.04.03).

3. The classification of salaries into professional positions for civil servants in the social work specialty as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article for civil servants who have been classified into the ranks of social work civil servants according to Circular No. 08/2010/TT-BNV dated August 25, 2010, of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the professional titles and codes of the ranks of social work civil servants, Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004, of the Government on the salary system for cadres, civil servants, public officials, and armed forces personnel, and Decree No. 17/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 19, 2013, of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004, of the Government shall be implemented as follows:

a) In cases where civil servants meet the conditions for appointment to the professional positions of civil servants in the social work specialty and their salary grade coefficient is equal to that of the old rank, they shall be classified at the same salary grade and percentage of seniority bonus exceeding the ceiling (if applicable) currently enjoyed in the old rank (including time considered for the next salary grade increase or seniority bonus exceeding the ceiling if applicable in the old rank) into the newly appointed professional position.

Example: Mr. Nguyen Van A has been classified into the rank of social worker (code 24.292), grade 5, with a salary coefficient of 3.66 since January 1, 2013. Now, Mr. A meets the conditions and is appointed by the competent authority to the professional position of social worker (Class III, code V.09.04.02), he shall be classified at grade 5, with a salary coefficient of 3.66 for the professional position of social worker (Class III, code V.09.04.02) from the date of signing the decision; the time for considering the next salary grade increase shall be calculated from January 1, 2013.

b) In cases where civil servants with an associate degree in social work were classified at the level of A0 when recruited according to Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP, now they are appointed to the professional position of social work assistant (Class IV, code: 09.04.03), their salary classification in the professional position of social work assistant (Class IV) shall be based on the time of compulsory social insurance contributions according to the national salary scale (excluding the probationary period) as follows: Starting from grade 2 of the professional position of social work assistant, every two years (full 24 months) they will be classified up one salary grade (if there is a break in service without enjoying social insurance benefits, it will be accumulated). In cases where the working year does not complete assigned tasks or is disciplined, the time for salary increase will be extended accordingly.

After transferring the salary classification to the professional position of social work assistant (Class IV) as mentioned above, if the salary coefficient classified in the professional position of social work assistant (Class IV) plus the seniority bonus exceeding the ceiling (if applicable) is lower than the salary coefficient enjoyed in the old rank, they shall enjoy the difference coefficient retained to match the salary coefficient (including seniority bonus exceeding the ceiling, if applicable) currently enjoyed in the old rank. This retained difference coefficient shall be enjoyed throughout the time the civil servant is classified in the professional position of social work assistant (Class IV). Thereafter, if the civil servant is promoted to a higher professional position, the retained difference coefficient shall be added to the current salary coefficient (including seniority bonus exceeding the ceiling, if applicable) to classify the salary in the new professional position upon promotion and cease to enjoy the retained difference coefficient from the date of receiving salary in the new professional position.

Example 2: Mr. Tran Van B, with a college degree in social work, was recruited to become a civil servant at the provincial social welfare center A, participating in mandatory social insurance from January 1, 2008, and has been classified as level 3, with a salary coefficient of 2.72 for type A0 civil servants since July 1, 2014. During his tenure, he consistently fulfilled assigned tasks and was never disciplined. Now, Mr. B has been appointed by the competent authority to the position of Social Work Officer (Class IV, code: V.09.04.03). The classification of salary levels in the position of Social Work Officer (Class IV) shall be as follows:

Mr. Tran Van B's period of service began on January 1, 2008, excluding the six-month probationary period, starting from level 2 of the position of Social Work Officer (Class IV). For every two years, he will advance one level, so by July 1, 2014, Mr. Tran Van B will be classified as level 5, with a salary coefficient of 2.66 for the position of Social Work Officer (Class IV). The time for enjoying the new salary level in the position of Social Work Officer (Class IV) starts from the date of signing the decision; the time for considering the next salary increase begins from July 1, 2014; simultaneously, he will enjoy a retention differential coefficient of 0.06 (2.72 - 2.66).

By July 1, 2016 (two years later), Mr. Tran Van B meets the conditions to regularly advance to level 6, with a salary coefficient of 2.86 for the position of Social Work Officer (Class IV), and continues to enjoy a retention differential coefficient of 0.06 (total salary coefficient received is 2.92).

4. Promotion of civil servants in the field of social work shall be implemented after they have been appointed to the position of specialized social work officer according to the provisions of this Circular and the salary classification shall be carried out according to Clause 2, Section II of Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BNV dated May 25, 2007, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the classification of salaries when upgrading ranks, transferring ranks, and changing types of civil servants.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 10. Transitional Provisions

Civil servants who have been appointed to the ranks of social work officers according to Circular No. 08/2010/TT-BNV dated August 25, 2010, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the positions and codes of social work officer ranks and Circular No. 34/2010/TT-BLDTBXH dated November 8, 2010, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs regarding the professional standards of social work officer ranks, now being appointed to the position of specialized social work officer as stipulated in this Joint Circular, the competent authority managing and using civil servants shall create conditions for them to supplement the missing standards of the position of specialized social work officer.

Article 11. Implementation Organization

1. Public service units shall base their recruitment, utilization, and management of specialized social work officers on the provisions of this Joint Circular.

2. Non-public institutions providing services in the field of social security shall apply the provisions of this Joint Circular for recruitment, utilization, and management of personnel.

3. The heads of public service units directly managing and utilizing civil servants shall be responsible for:

a) Review job positions within the unit, develop a plan to appoint to corresponding social work positions within the unit under their management authority, submit to the competent authority for examination and decision-making or decide according to the delegated authority;

b) Decide on appointment to corresponding specialized social work officer positions according to the delegated authority or propose the competent authority to issue a decision on appointment after the appointment plan has been approved by the competent authority;

4. Ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, agencies under the Government, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities are responsible for:

a) Directing public service units under their management to implement appointments to positions and salary assignments for civil servants within the unit;

b) Approve plans for appointment to corresponding positions and salary classification for civil servants in public service units under their management scope, transitioning from current civil servant ranks to corresponding social work officer positions as stipulated in this Joint Circular; resolve issues within their authority during the process of appointing positions and classifying salaries;

c) Decide on appointment to corresponding social work officer positions and salary classification for civil servants under their management in public service units according to their authority.

d) Reporting the results of appointments to positions and salary assignments for civil servants in public service units under their management to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 12. Effective Date

1. This Joint Circular takes effect from October 4, 2015.

2. Repeal Circular No. 08/2010/TT-BNV dated August 25, 2010, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the positions and codes of social work officer ranks and Circular No. 34/2010/TT-BLDTBXH dated November 8, 2010, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs regarding the professional standards of social work officer ranks.

Article 13. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government; Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities, and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Joint Circular.

2. In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties, please reflect them to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration and resolution./.