UPPSALA UNIVERSITY & VNU UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS & BUSINESS LP @' UNIVERSITET MASTER THESIS OF MPPM “A STUDY ON COMPETENCIES OF YOUNG CADRES IN PUBLIC SECTOR: THE CASE OF DAI TU DISTRICT PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE, THAI NGUYEN PROVINCE, VIETNAM” Author : Nguyen Tuan Dung CRN : 900805 - P253 Supervisors : Dr. Sven-Erik Svard Assoc. Le Quan Class : MPPM - Intake 7 Hanoi, January 2015 UPPSALA UNIVERSITY & > UPPSALA VNU UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS & BUSINESS ane UNIVERSITET aha Pend to Success ACKNOWLEDGEMENT | would like to express my gratitude to my supervisors, Dr. Sven-Erik Svard and Assoc.
Le Quan for their invaluable useful comments, remarks, encouragement and engagement through the learning process of this master thesis. Furthermore | would like to thank Mr. Ho Nhu Hai for introducing me to the topic as well for the support on the way. I sincerely thank the lecturers who enthusiastically imparted useful knowledge on public management during the master program to all class attendants.
I also thank the support of the VNU University of Economics and Business, the coordinators and program managers for their support and assistance. | am using this opportunity to express my gratitude to my classmates, who supported me throughout the course of this MPPM course, by their aspiring guidance, invaluably constructive criticism and friendy advice. | am sincerely grateful to them for sharing their truthful and illuminating views on a number of issues related to my thesis. Also, I like to thank the participants in my survey, who have willingly shared their precious time during the process of interviewing.
| would like to thank my loved ones, who have supported me throughout entire process, both by keeping me harmonious and helping me putting pieces together. Thank you all very much! Sincerely yours, ABSTRACT Title: A study on competencies of young cadres in public sector: The case of Dat Tu District People’s Committee, Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam. Level: Final assignment for Master Program in Public Management. Author: Nguyen Tuan Dung Supervisors: Dr.
Sven-Erik Svard; Assoc. Le Quan Date when the thesis is presented: December 5, 2014 Aims of the study Though has repeatedly been mentioned over the world, competency development based on competency framework approach are hardly found in Vietnam in general, let alone its application to any particular localities. Thus, the study in its application is conducted in one administrative unit of the country. The study is entitled “A study on competencies of young cadres in public sector: The case of Dai Tu District People’s Committee, Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam”.
The study aims: - To develop the young leader staff of the district for meeting the demand of the next period. - To identify the essential competencies for DPC’s young cadres - To clarify the current level of fulfillment of the young cadres in comparison with the near future's needs - To indicate barriers and solutions to develop competencies of the young cadres based on the competency framework approach Methods Secondary data are obtained through credible sources as research journals, published papers, books, official documents issued by State administration agencies or websites that associated with reputable institutions such as a respected university (Harvard University, etc.), a government body (Government of UK, etc.), or well-known non-governmental organizations (UN, etc. With the primary data, questionnaire is applied by using four survey forms for getting data. Questionnaire is used popularly for getting personal ideas with relatively exact results, so that Ï choose it for my method of obtaining primary data.
However, | focus only on staff and officials of the DPC, who can provide the most accurate and fair results. Results and Conclusions The study has systematized general issues on competency framework, its application in competency development; find out the core essential competencies needed for the DPC’s young cadres divided into two clusters: Cluster I: Building a successful team; Facilitating Change; and Quality Orientation”, and Cluster II: “Research and Analysis; Strategic Decision Making, and Negotiation”. Current level of the six above competencies is evaluated, will overall average score of 2.11, which is adequate for the current needs and have some potential for the future’s demand. The most major barriers are indicated as “inconsistent support of the senior cadres, unclear job descriptions, young cadres’ resistance, lack of appropriate communication and unspoken codes”.
However, the author has made out some practical solutions for applying the competency framework in the DPC, those are “Maximizing support of the top senior cadres, involving participation of the whole staff, comprehensive communication campaign, building deserving encouragement policy, and being closer to the young cadres”. Suggestions for future research The findings from the study can be examined in a pilot process to check its compatibility. A further research for this study can be “to monitor and evaluate the pilot process of the competency framework in Dai Tu District People’s Committee”, then to propose amendment and adjustment for the next step of implementation. Limitations - Due to limitation of time and resources, this study mainly focuses on competency development for young cadres of Dai Tu District Committee.
- Since the sample size is relatively small, the findings cannot be generalized to the broader community. - The results of the study (te: the level of essential competencies) can be affected by bias of the respondents. - The study solely mentions to competencies required for needs of the district in the next five years. Contribution of the thesis The thesis’s results fill in the gap of Dai Tu’s knowledge about competency framework, and are initial basis for developing a comprehensive competency framework for competency enhancement of young cadres in the district.
The thesis also gathers valuable findings on competency-based approach for those who interested in studying this field. Key words Competency, Competency Framework, Dai Tu District, young cadres, competency development. TABLE OF CONTENTS l. ch nh HH HH HH HH ng TH thà | 1.
ch nh nh HH HH KH HH HH KH Hiệp | 1. Research Questi0ns.ccQnnnnnnn2 TH TH nh TH ng sec 2 1.- ch nh Hà HH nà HH tt 2 1. General OĐjCC[ÏV©. cà S2: 211211211111 11111 HT HH HH HH HH He 2 I0.4, Scope of Study --›iộộỘỪộộỒOỒ.
Frame of references. Án HH HH HH HT HH Hiện 2 2. Key C0RC€DS. nh HH HH HH TH TT HH ng it 2 PIN Nth.
Young cadres in Dai Tu District People’s COHIHHIIE€C. SAS COTNPOTEIICY: cern, rrerzrem,. ni Ton rrergrreểi , S5: v70 TvoVYecagrai SSTSSTTOTTY tr, TRE oi 057s OTT SH 3 2. Competency framework (CF) ai.s -ccc St HH nu ra 5 2.
Force-field ANALYSIS na nốẶẶ«aa. Competency framework practices in the world oe 6 2. History and development Of |”. cv kén nh Heo 6 2.
Benefits of applying CF On C Ì ),. cà vn HH Ho nhanh 9 2. Barriers of building and applying CF”. Solutions of building and applving CÍFỈ.
Competency Assessment MÍCEHHO(Ẫ,. ch nh HH ha 12 2. Needs of developing competencies of leaders in Dai Tu District. Potential development of Dai Tit DÍSIPÍCH,.
The District's missions in the 2015-2020 period. Current state of Dai Tu District's Civil SCrVANIS 0. Demand of CD for Dai Tụ š civil Servant Là. Needs of CD for the DPC’s young cadFes.
Introduction tO u60 nộ ằồaaAa. Young cadres Of DPC. cv SH Tnhh Hàn Hà Hà Hà ràt 18 2. Needs of CD for the DPC’'s VOUNG CAAPECS o.oo ccc cc ccc ccc eee Si nhe 18 2,5, Research modeÌ.
TT ch TT sn ng ng nến xxx kế 1111k ke 19 3. Research methods ni. nh HH Hà HH HH Hà Hà nh Hàng TH tiệt 19 3. Steps of data COlleCfOlH.
5255 1121121511111 KH xa Hà nha 20 3. Methods of Data analySisS. Data amalysis oo. cece eee HH HT Hà HH TH HH Hiện 2] 4.
Essential competencies for DPC’s young cadres. Two central focuses of Dai Tu District in the 2015-2020 period. The most essential competencies for DPC’s young cad'€S. Current status of essential competencies of the DPC’s young cadres.
Barriers and solutions for the young cadres’ CD. Barriers for the young cadres’ CD. Force-field HAÏNSẴS. ch HH HH HH Hà cà Ho de 31 4.
Solutions for the voung cadres ` CD.à ch hy kea 33 5. Conclusions and suggestion for further studies. Limitations and suggestion for further studies. 40 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS CF : Competency Framework CD : Competency Development DPC : Dai Tu District People’s Committee DFID : Department for International Development EI : External investment HUCF — : Harvard University’s Competency Framework IPAA : Institute of Public Administration Pts : Points UK : The United Kingdom UN : The United Nations US : The United States (of America) LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES TABLES Table |: Lists of chosen competencies for DPC’s young cadres.
22 Table 2: Priority order of competencies for DPC’s young cadres. 24 Table 3: Assessment of competencies of five selected young cadres. 27 Table 4: Assessment of competencies of five selected young cadres. 27 Table 5: Current status of each essential coImpet€nCY.
seeeeeseeeteeneesteeees 29 FIGURES Figure |: Force-field analysis model .0ccccccccccecccccsesscceeeeeeseneesceneersaeteseseneesees 6 Figure 2: Organizational structure of DPC’s Administrative Branch. 17 Figure 3: Age structure at the DPC. SH HH HH HH HH Hit 18 Figure 4: The research model. cccccccceeseeeesrenrereesseresesecueseeeeetesseceneecneeses el Figure 5: Average scores of the young cadres’ essential competencies.
26 Figure 6: Force-field analysis of competency development for the DPC’s young 1. Background Nowadays, international integration is an inevitable trend of most countries in the world, and Vietnam is not outside of this trend. It brings considerable opportunities and challenges to Vietnam in general and each of its localities in particular. In order to make use of comparative advantages and respond to challenges of the newly complex and dynamic environment, leadership in the public sector must be radically transformed.
In a traditional context, public sector often just concentrates on training competency for planning and implementing policies for leaders. However, nowadays, leaders need to have global mind, deep understanding on international issues, effective leadership and management skills in a constant change world. It can be said that improvement in quality and efficiency of human resources management has been one of the important contents in the career of innovating State organizations and modernizing the public sector in Vietnam. The pressing demand of Vietnam to enhance competencies of the human resources is also stated in the Strategy for developing human resources toward 2020 of the Government.
Therefore, in 2008, a brand new innovative concept named “Job position” appeared in Law on Cadres and Civil Servants. On that basis, the Government (2013)! issued Decree No. 36/2013/ND-CP on job positions and structures of civil ranks. The Decree regulated that each job position is required to have its functions, missions and competencies requirements.
The significance of using that approach is to help find right person to do right things, then it can help re-organize the civil servants staff; detect overlapping functions and duties of the job position, agencies and organizations; effective serve the recruitment activities, utilization of human resources, and assessment of staff training and planning. Though this issue has repeatedly been mentioned over the world, official research on competency development based on competency framework approach in Vietnam are hardly found, let alone its application to any particular localities. Thus, ' The Vietnam Government (2013).36/2013/ND-CP th the study entitled “A study on competencies of young cadres in public sector: The case of Dai Tu District People’s Committee, Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam” is conducted.1, What are the most essential competencies required for young cadres at Dai Tu District People’s Committee? 1. What are current levels of essential competencies of young cadres at Dai Tu District People's Committee? 1.
What are the barriers and solutions to develop competencies of the young cadres based on the competency framework approach? 1. General objective To develop the young leader staff of the district for meeting the demand of the next period.