Transformation of the civil service institution in Ukraine in the light of administrative reform

Abstract

The relevance of the study is due to the need to transform the institution of civil service in Ukraine in the context of administrative reform and challenges caused by modern political and legal instability, including the consequences of military actions. The purpose of the article is to analyze the theoretical and legal foundations of the civil service institution, assess its current state of development in Ukraine under the influence of administrative reform, and outline key challenges and prospects for further transformation based on a comparative analysis with the practices of EU countries. Methods: literature analysis – to study the current state of the research problem; generalization and systematization – to clearly and consistently present the research results. Results. The study found that the main achievements of the civil service reform include the adoption of a new regulatory framework for the civil service, the introduction of open competitive selection procedures, the introduction of mechanisms for evaluating performance, and the gradual digitalization of personnel processes. At the same time, the study revealed several of unresolved issues, including the incomplete depoliticization of the senior civil service, the uneven implementation of the reform at different levels of government, and resistance to cultural and organizational changes. Conclusions. The comparative analysis of EU practices has confirmed the importance of strengthening strategic human resources management, developing leadership competencies, improving ethics and integrity mechanisms, and ensuring transparency and inclusiveness of the civil service. Based on these provisions, the article proposes several measures aimed at deepening the civil service reform in Ukraine, including the establishment of a professional senior civil service corps, the introduction of a unified remuneration system, the institutionalization of continuous professional development, and the development of a administrative culture.  Thus, the transformation of the civil service should be comprehensive, based on a transparent vision of governance as a value-based and citizen-oriented system.