Iraqi PM receives over 15,000 applications for government posts

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The office of Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adel Abdul-Mahdi announced on Saturday that it had received 15,184 applications for ministerial and other government posts and that 601 of them, judged most qualified, have been selected to participate in the next step in landing a job.

Abdul-Mahdi announced in a statement on Monday that candidates could submit their CVs online to apply to ministries and other governmental posts.

He stressed that whoever finds himself or herself competent and is willing to be nominated for a post can do so between Oct. 9 and 11, through a website created just for that purpose.

"The electronic portal was closed on the deadline of 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 11, 2018. The number of completed nominations (15,184) was distributed to all governorates and ministries," read the statement, released by Abdul-Mahdi’s press office.

It also mentioned that 12 percent of the applicants who made submissions hold doctorate degrees, numbering at 1,778. Additionally, 15 percent (2,200) of the applicants were female and 96 percent labeled themselves as "independent."

"The Committee of Experts began studying the 601 applications to determine the best candidates for inviting them to interviews. The next steps include conducting direct interviews with the competent team and verifying the qualifications, including the validity of certificates and others."

“The final direct interviews of the distinguished people will be with the prime minister-designate,” the statement added.

On Oct. 2, newly-elected Iraqi President Barham Salih nominated Abdul-Mahdi to form the country’s new government following an agreement between the nation's parliamentary blocs.

Abdul-Mahdi served as Minister of Oil in Haider al-Abadi’s cabinet but resigned in 2016 after two years in office. He was also Iraqi vice-president between 2005 and 2011.

The new federal government would be tasked with the reconstruction of the war-torn country as well as providing public services and combating widespread corruption in public institutions.

Editing by John J. Catherine