AS many as 449 applications were received for the 21 government permanent secretary vacancies.
Public Service Commission chairman Vishnu Mohan, in a Government statement, said at the deadline of the vacancies on October 11, there were 449 applications adding the PSC was on track in terms of its search for the most suitable candidates to fill the positions.
Mr Mohan said the applicants were from many different countries although majority were from within Fiji, which was expected.
“We are impressed with the excellent response that has been received. This certainly will give us the required breadth and flexibility to choose the most qualified persons for the 21 positions,” he said.
Mr Mohan said NGS Global, which was hired to conduct the recruitment, was assessing all applications and would compile a list of candidates for preliminary interviews both by face to face and Skype. This, he said would eventuate into a shortlist of four candidates per role for review by the commission within the next two to three weeks.
He added that the due process was expected to be completed within this year, with successful candidates taking up their respective roles from early next year.