Minister of Social Affairs: Written exam a condition for promoting employees in cooperative oversight positions

The Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Child Welfare, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwail, issued a ministerial decision adding the passing of a written examination as a fundamental condition for promotion to higher occupational levels for holders of specialized, technically graded cooperative inspection positions within the Ministry of Social Affairs.

In a statement to KUNA, Al-Huwail said the decision follows the approval of the Civil Service Bureau and aims to develop the regulations governing the career progression of cooperative inspectors, ensuring that advancement to higher occupational levels is linked to professional competence and the necessary technical knowledge.

She added that passing the written exam would complement other requirements, such as experience, for eligibility for higher occupational levels. Consequently, career progression would no longer be based solely on length of service, but would also require proof of competence and the ability to handle the tasks and responsibilities of the higher level.

Al-Huwail clarified that the decision targets enhancing the efficiency of financial and administrative inspectors, developing their professional and technical capabilities, and ensuring their familiarity with the laws, regulations, and procedures governing cooperative work, as well as their ability to apply them in practice.

She noted that the examinations would reflect the nature of the occupational level sought and the type of inspection work, whether financial or administrative. The tests would cover laws regulating cooperative work, the Ministry’s mandates in inspection and supervision, and the preparation of reports and inspection observations.

The exams would also include principles of governance, integrity, conflict of interest, and technical aspects relevant to each field. Al-Huwail pointed out that the decision sets the passing score at no less than 70% of the total marks.

She further stated that the exams may include practical cases and applied questions designed to assess the employee’s ability to understand legal and regulatory rules and apply them to practical scenarios.

Al-Huwail emphasized that enhancing human resources is the foundation for building a more effective cooperative inspection system. She explained that linking career progression to professional competence, alongside experience, ensures that inspectors are prepared to assume the responsibilities of higher levels.

She stressed the ongoing development of the cooperative inspection system and the enhancement of its staff’s efficiency, which supports governance and discipline, safeguards contributors’ funds, and elevates performance standards in the cooperative sector.