Jordan amends public sector recruitment and appointment instructions to increase efficiency

Jordan issued amended instructions for public sector recruitment and appointment in the Official Gazette on Thursday, November 12, 2026. These amendments aim to increase efficiency and flexibility in the recruitment process while ensuring fair competition for public sector jobs. The new regulations introduce standardized evaluation weights and specific provisions for long-standing job applications within the commission's stock.

Standardized evaluation and assessment

The updated instructions establish a standardized scoring system for candidate evaluations. Under the new framework, the evaluation weights for candidates are set at 80 marks for tests and 20 marks for personal interviews. This structure ensures a consistent approach to assessing potential employees across various government roles. To support these evaluations, the Competency Assessment Center within the Civil Service and Administration Commission will provide objective competency assessment tools.

The new provisions also allow for the implementation of various modern assessment tools and tests. These tools are designed to be tailored to the specific requirements of individual job roles. This flexibility allows the government to better match candidate skills with the technical and administrative needs of different public sector departments.

Provisions for long-standing applications

The amendments include specific measures to address candidates who have been waiting for placement for extended periods. Candidates with approved job applications in the Civil Service and Administration Commission stock prior to December 2023 are eligible for additional points. These additional points, which can reach a maximum of 5 points, are awarded based on graduation year brackets. These points are added to the total score after a candidate has successfully passed both the required tests and the personal interviews.

Residency verification and coordination

The Civil Service and Administration Commission will work in coordination with relevant government agencies to manage specific job requirements. The commission will establish procedures to verify the actual residency of applicants for jobs that require specific geographic residency. These measures are intended to ensure that recruitment for localized positions meets the intended geographic criteria. The amendments represent a broader effort to modernize the civil service and ensure that the recruitment process remains both competitive and transparent for all applicants in Jordan.

Glossary

• Official Gazette — The Official Gazette is a publication where acts attain the force of law according to Article 93.2 of the Constitution. It serves as a medium through which the Government publishes documents such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
• Competency Assessment Center — The Competency Assessment Center is a unit within the Civil Service and Administration Commission. It provides objective competency assessment tools to support candidate evaluations.