Government has lifted the Civil Service vacancy freeze with immediate effect, allowing ministries to resume recruitment while introducing tighter controls over establishment growth and workforce management.
Permanent Secretary for Civil Service Pita Tagicakirewa, in Circular 15/2026, said Cabinet had approved the lifting of the freeze subject to strengthened workforce establishment and other measures.
Recruitment processes that had already commenced before the freeze can now proceed to appointment, provided the positions exist within approved establishments, have funding in the 2026/2027 Budget and comply with recruitment guidelines.
Recruitment can also begin for vacant positions that had not reached the recruitment stage before the freeze, subject to similar conditions.
However, vacancies that have remained unfilled for more than six months must be reviewed to determine whether they remain necessary, affordable and aligned with current service requirements.
Acting appointments against substantive vacancies will also be permitted but generally limited to six months.
The circular also addresses positions approved for salary upgrades under the Job Evaluation Leadership Team process.
“JELT positions that were approved for salary upgrade by the JELT Committee prior to the freeze must be facilitated from the date of the JELT approval subject to confirmation of funding by the Ministry of Finance,” Mr Tagicakirewa said.
However, the lifting of the vacancy freeze does not remove existing restrictions on Government-funded overseas travel.
Mr Tagicakirewa also cautioned ministries that the decision was not an open door to expand staffing without controls.
“The lifting of the vacancy freeze should not be interpreted as an unrestricted authority to increase establishment or personnel expenditure,” he said.
“Ministries remain accountable for managing their workforce within approved establishment and budgetary limits.”
Permanent Secretaries have been reminded that recruitment decisions must remain within approved budgets and align with operational requirements and Government priorities.
The Ministry of Civil Service will continue monitoring recruitment, establishment growth and associated personnel expenditure.
