Standardizing commune-level officials to improve the effectiveness of serving the people.

Along with the implementation of a two-tiered local government model, improving the quality of commune-level officials and civil servants is becoming a crucial task for the effectiveness and efficiency of local governance. With a range of comprehensive solutions, from reviewing and allocating personnel, training and development, to reforming evaluation methods and strengthening digital transformation, Quang Ninh is gradually building a team of capable and competent grassroots officials to meet the demands of rapid and sustainable development in the new era.

The Youth Union of Ba Chẽ commune organized support for Party members in the branches to install the electronic Party Member Handbook application.

After nearly a year of operating under the two-tiered local government model, the administrative apparatus in 54 communes, wards, and special zones in the province has gradually stabilized, operated smoothly, and become more effective. However, with the expansion of management space, increased authority, and workload for the commune level, the need to improve the quality of cadres and civil servants at the grassroots level is extremely urgent. The practical situation demands the development of a workforce with professional expertise, modern management skills, innovative thinking, and the ability to quickly adapt to the demands of digital transformation.

Recognizing this, Quang Ninh province has identified improving the quality of its grassroots officials as a key, ongoing, and long-term task. This is not only an immediate requirement for the effective operation of the new government model, but also a crucial factor determining competitiveness, governance quality, and the effectiveness of public service in the current development phase. Recently, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 225/KH-UBND to implement Directive No. 18/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister on improving the quality of local government officials and civil servants at the commune level. The plan aims to create a substantial transformation in the quality of the workforce and the effectiveness of the grassroots administrative apparatus towards standardization, professionalization, and modernization of public service, with citizens and businesses at the center of service.

Accordingly, one of the key areas the province is focusing on is reviewing and evaluating the overall workforce of commune-level officials and civil servants in relation to job positions and practical requirements. Based on this, localities will assign personnel according to the principle of "the right person, the right job, at the right time, in the right place," ensuring the effective utilization of each official's abilities, strengths, and work experience. In particular, the province prioritizes assigning and strengthening highly qualified personnel in key areas such as land management, planning, construction, finance, public investment, information technology, digital transformation, citizen reception, and handling complaints and denunciations. These are all areas with a large workload, directly impacting the rights and interests of citizens and businesses, requiring officials with solid professional skills, strong professional integrity, and a high sense of responsibility.

Along with arranging and assigning personnel appropriately, Quang Ninh continues to promote training and professional development in a practical manner, linked to job requirements and the development tasks of each locality. The province is implementing the Project on training and professional development of cadres, civil servants, and public employees for the period 2026-2030; and simultaneously developing in-depth training programs on local governance, digital skills, specialized laws, land management, public investment, finance and budget, leadership and management skills, citizen reception, and business services.

Officials in Mao Khe ward are stepping up efforts to complete the national land database in the area. (Photo: Provided by Mao Khe ward)

According to the set targets, during the 2026-2030 period, 100% of grassroots officials will receive training and updated knowledge and skills to meet job requirements; at least 70% of officials will participate in advanced training programs on modern governance and local economic development. The province also strives for 100% of officials to receive training and skills in digital transformation, proficiently using digital platforms to serve management, operation, and work resolution.

A notable new development in current personnel management is the strong shift towards quantitative evaluation methods, using work efficiency as the benchmark. Instead of primarily relying on qualitative assessments, Quang Ninh requires the development of specific work product catalogs for each agency, unit, and job position to quantify task performance. Accordingly, commune-level officials and civil servants will be monitored and evaluated periodically based on work progress, advisory quality, coordination capacity, sense of responsibility, service attitude, and the level of satisfaction of citizens and businesses. The evaluation results will not only serve for emulation and reward purposes but also as a basis for placement, utilization, training, rotation, or replacement of those who do not meet job requirements.

Simultaneously, the province continues to tighten administrative discipline and order, improve public service ethics and accountability of grassroots officials. All work processes and administrative document handling are carried out electronically; any instances of shirking responsibility, passing the buck, or causing inconvenience to citizens and businesses are required to be rectified and dealt with severely.

Recent experience has shown that strengthening decentralization and delegation of power to the grassroots level is only truly effective when coupled with improving the quality of the workforce. Therefore, Quang Ninh not only focuses on training and development, but also emphasizes the rotation and deployment of cadres to gain practical experience. Many young and promising cadres are assigned to grassroots levels to enhance their practical skills and simultaneously supplement the supply of quality human resources for disadvantaged areas.

In the context of ongoing digital transformation, the demand for digital competence among grassroots officials has become more urgent than ever. Not only must they be proficient in using professional software, but they must also be able to utilize digital data, process work electronically, and support citizens in accessing online public services. This is considered one of the key criteria for building a modern, transparent, and more efficient public administration.

Besides human resources, the province also focuses on investing in the synchronized development of working infrastructure for communes through upgrading offices, information technology equipment, network systems, and shared operating platforms. This is a necessary condition for officials to develop their capabilities, improve the efficiency of work, and enhance the quality of service to citizens and businesses.

In this new stage of development, where local governments directly handle the majority of issues for citizens and businesses, the quality of the staff will be a decisive factor in the quality of local governance. Therefore, building a team of local officials with sufficient qualities, capabilities, credibility, who dare to think, dare to act, dare to take responsibility, and are dedicated to serving the people is not only an immediate requirement but also a crucial foundation for Quang Ninh to continue maintaining its leading position nationwide in administrative reform, digital transformation, and governance quality, aiming for rapid, green, and sustainable development in the coming years.

Hoai Anh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/chuan-hoa-can-bo-cap-xa-de-nang-cao-hieu-qua-phuc-vu-nhan-dan-3409962.html