1000 civil servants of the central and local executive bodies of Kazakhstan will upgrade their digital and communication skills to ensure their effectiveness under the telecommuting model of work. The learning programme is inclusive, and takes into account the needs of 342 civil servants with disabilities, who are participating in the programme.

The initiative is jointly implemented by the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the United Nations Development Programme in Kazakhstan (UNDP), the Astana Civil Service Hub (ACSH) and the Agency for Civil Service Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

“The programme is one of the key activities of the UNDP response programme to support the Government of Kazakhstan in mitigating the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Investing in inclusiveness, digitalization and future skills is a priority under today’s circumstances and for the next five years of UNDP’s cooperation with Kazakhstan,’’ said Vitalie Vremis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, while opening the first session today.

“Working during the pandemic has again proved the importance of establishing effective communication between government and citizens, society, and economic entities. It is also important to understand that in this context, citizens expect not only quick and relevant, but also transparent and legitimate decisions,” emphasized Alikhan Baimenov, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Astana Civil Service Hub.

The training program was designed by the Academy of Public Administration, UNDP and the ACSH based on the previously conducted needs-assessment study that exposed the real needs of civil servants. Based on the study’s outcomes, two different programmes, tailored to the needs of senior management of public institutions and their general staff, were developed. The first two-day training started on June 15, 2020, but the full completion of the programme by all participants is expected by the end of August.

“Today's realities dictate the necessity for the government officials to be agile and adaptive to changes, to take advantage of new technology and to apply project approach in their activities. For this reason, our training module includes such topics as adaptability to change, emotional intelligence, effective digital communications, productivity management in new conditions and technical digital skills. The workshops will be facilitated by the certified business trainers and coaches of the Academy Institute for Professional Development,” said Erlan Abil, Rector of the Academy of Public Administration.  

The training sessions will be held online and will employ interactive learning platforms, group activities and hands-on exercises. Upon completion of the training module, the participants will elaborate their personal plans to improve their performance in the given context. The participants can also rely on further guidance and support through targeted consultations and webinars.