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1. Glass half full? Or half empty? Civil service professionalization in the Western Balkans between successful rule adoption and ineffective implementation

Author:
Jan-Hinrik Meyer-Sahling
Publication Date:
10-2016
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Nottingham Interdisciplinary Centre for Economic and Political Research (NICEP)
Abstract:
This paper examines the professionalization of the civil service in the Western Balkans in the context of European integration. It focuses on the fit of civil service systems with European principles of administration as applied by SIGMA and the European Commission to accession states. The analysis distinguishes ten domains of civil service management and three levels of institutionalisation including formal rules, the quality of implementation and the attitudes of civil servants towards European principles. Based on extensive documentary research, personal interviews and a web-based survey of ministerial civil servants, the analysis reveals that formal-legal frameworks fit the European principles to a considerable extent. The main challenge for civil service developments in the Western Balkans concerns the ineffective implementation of formal rules. Even if formal rules and procedures are routinely applied, they do not reach expected outcomes such as merit selection and impartial behaviour of civil servants in policy-making and implementation. Finally, it is shown that civil servants partially support the European principles. In particular, discretionary approaches to civil service management have become increasingly popular in the region. The conclusion explores potential explanations of the emerging pattern of civil service professionalization in the Western Balkans.
Topic:
Regional Integration, Civil Servants, and Professionalization
Political Geography:
Europe and Balkans

2. Security Vetting

Author:
Robert Muharremi
Publication Date:
03-2015
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS)
Abstract:
Security clearance process is among the most important pillars of the security sector in the country. However, despite that we are dealing with a new system of verification, it is compromised and greatly challenged because of the political implications, the clan Individual decisions to grant or denial of a security clearance for civil servants and police personnel and intelligence. As a result, the report identifies shortcomings in the implementation of the Law on Classification of Information and Security Clearances and weaknesses in defining the decision to reject the security permissions.
Topic:
Intelligence, Police, Civil Servants, Vetting, and Security Clearance
Political Geography:
Europe, Kosovo, and Balkans