Civil Service Competency Framework and Its implications for the future(s) of Public Administration Education (training) in Ethiopia
Virtual Dialogue Organized by: Ethiopian Public Administration Association (EPAA) in Collaboration with the Federal Civil Service Commission of Ethiopia
Since 1990s, Ethiopia has introduced many economic and politico- administrative reforms, affecting all public sectors, including higher education institutions. For example, concerning higher education, in the in GTP I and GTP 2, the government paid attention to quality, and relevance of education (MoFED 2005[1], 2010[2]; NPC 2016[3]). In 2010, the government decided to enroll 70 percent of students into the sciences and technology fields and 30 percent into social science and humanities (MoFED 2010; MoE 2018[4]). Since 2013, the knowledge-based curriculum was replaced with a competency-based curriculum (MOE 2018, 2020[5]). The government changed the 70:30 enrolment policy, and introduced a flexible enrolment, and reintroduced a four-year bachelor program, since 2018 (MoE 2018, 2020).
Taking into account the reforms, there is an increasing need to discuss and reflect on the quality and relevance of higher education in general, Public Administration Education for civil service in particular. This is important because there are 20 public universities teaching Public Administration Programs and the Federal Civil Service is about to introduce Competency Based Civil Service System, several initiatives are ongoing to this end. In light of this, EPAA in Collaboration with Federal Civil Service Commission, is thrilled to announce a virtual dialogue on “Civil Service Competency Framework and Its implications for the future(s) of Public Administration Education (training) in Ethiopia” June 26, 2025 from 8:00 -10:00 local time.
The dialogue is open to all PA universities, EPAA members, Regional public/civil service bureaus, and invited people. EPAA members and invited people will receive a link to (Zoom or Google Meet).The short biography of the speakers and the moderator (Dr. Dereje Terefe Gemechu) is below. The speakers, among others, will focus on the implications of Competency Based Civil Service System for Public Administration Education (training) in Ethiopia, its quality, relevance and linkage between theory and practice.
[1] MoFED (2005). Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty (PASDEP) (2005-2010)
[2] MOFED (2010), Growth and Transformation Plan(GTP) 2010/11-2014/15, 2 volumes, Government of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
[3] National Planning Commission (2016). Fderal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Growth and Transformation Plan II (GTP II). (2015/16-2019/20). Volume I: Main Text
[4] MOE(2018). Ethiopian Education Development Roadmap (2018-2030), Addis Ababa
[5] Ministry of Education (2020). Ethiopian Education Development Roadmap (2018–30). An Integrated Executive Summary. Ministry of Education, Education Strategy Center (ESC).
Dr. Birhanu Asfaw WeldeGiyorgies is an accomplished professional with a robust academic background. He is currently serving as CEO for Competency at the Federal Civil Service Commission, where he oversees significant initiatives aimed at enhancing government employees’ competency in particular and the quality of public service in general. His educational credentials include a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction Education from Addis Ababa University, complemented by a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Adama Science and Technology University. Throughout his career, Dr. Birhanu has excelled in various roles, including Higher Diploma Leader at Salale University and V/President of Business and Institutional Development at Bule Hora University. His expertise extends to teaching, training facilitation and managerial skills, groomed through extensive experience in educational institutions and civil organizations. Dr. Birhanu is also committed to community service, having led research and training projects that address educational challenges faced by communities in different parts of Ethiopia, thereby contributing to the advancement of educational practices and policies in the regions.
Dr, Meheret Ayenew Warota (Speaker) holds a PhD in Public Administration and Policy from the State University of New York at Albany. He is a Professor at Addis Ababa University, Department of Public Administration and Development Management. He has increasingly contributed to the development to field of Public Administration in Ethiopia. He has supervised several PhD and MA students, published several articles, books and co-edited books, including the Public Administration in Ethiopia: Case Studies and Lessons for Sustainable Development, published by Leuven University Press. He has involved in several projects and served in different positions including, but not limited to, as an Executive Director of Forum for Social Studies (FSS) (2010-2018).
Dr. Kokeb Demeke Arefu (Speaker) holds a PhD in Education Management from University of South Africa and MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Addis Ababa University. He is a Vice President for Reform, Research and Public Service Training at Oromia State University. Among others his is responsible for leading reform programs, including Civil Service Competency Framework, initiated by the Oromia Public Service and Human Resources Development Bureau. He has served in different positions including, but not limited to, as Deputy Director General of Research, Certification, Award and Recognition Kaizen Development Sector, at Ethiopian Kaizen Institute. Dr Kobeb has involved and led many public sector related projects.
Dr. Dereje Terefe Gemechu (moderator) is an Associate Professor of Social and Public Policy. He holds a PhD in Social and Public from Jyväskylä University (Finland) and MA in Curriculum and Instruction, Education in Pedagogical Sciences from Addis Ababa University. He served as Director at the former ICDR (MoE), later as Vice Minister of Education for General Education Program. He also had long career service in the Ethiopian education sector at various capacities. He has served as Director of School of Policy Studies at the Ethiopian Service University and contributed to the growth of the study program to its current PhD study level. He has conducted various policy-relevant researches and published articles on policy practice and challenges in Ethiopia, policy mandates and practices in a federal system, co-authored policy-implementation dichotomy narratives in Ethiopia, globalization and the demise of policy sovereignty, and related other themes on reputable international journals. Currently, he is a visiting academic in policy studies at graduate programs in a number of universities.
