Kazakhstan explores new motivation model for public servants
Kazakhstan plans to introduce a horizontal promotion model in the civil service. Officials will be able to receive bonuses and advance in status without an actual change of position. Interestingly, artificial intelligence (AI) will be responsible for making promotion decisions, according to Salauat Muksimov, Deputy Chairman of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs of Kazakhstan. He presented the draft law in the Senate (the upper house of parliament).
What is a «horizontal» career in the civil service?
Previously, an official’s salary increase depended directly on the availability of a higher-level position. The new model allows professionals to grow their income even if the superior position is filled.
«We are restoring historical justice: civil servants will be able to count on promotion within a single position, regardless of the presence of vertical vacancies,» Muksimov emphasized.
The new system suggests introducing four job levels, with the fourth considered the base level and assigned immediately upon joining the service.
To advance to the third and second levels, an employee must have worked in their current position for at least 3 years. Reaching the first, highest level will allow the civil servant to expect the maximum salary increase.
Criteria for promotion:
- Work in the same position (at least three years)
- Meeting or exceeding expectations at work
- No disciplinary actions (especially ethical violations)
- Completion of a mandatory set of courses and internships
No «human factor»
The main feature of the reform, as Muksimov noted, is complete digitalization. All employee promotion processes will be automated in the E-Kyzmet system. The program will automatically analyze the employee’s length of service, appraisal and absence of disciplinary actions, after which it will assign the next level.
«This will ensure transparency and proper digital oversight of this process,» the official said.
Pilot project
The new system will initially be tested in several agencies, including the Civil Service Agency itself, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of National Economy and the administrations of the city of Astana and the Atyrau Region.
