DIGITAL COMPETENCE OF PUBLIC SERVANTS IN THE CONTEXT OF DEVELOPING A DIGITAL SERVICE-ORIENTED STATE

Abstract

Purpose. Generalization of the theoretical and applied aspects of the development of civil servants’ digital competence in the process of building a digital service state, research on the results of the digitalization processes in the domestic sphere of public administration, justification of the need to form digital competence and determine its ways of development. Methodology. The study uses a general scientific research methodology: analysis, systematization, synthesis, comparison, and generalization. Findings. According to the results of the study, the following were established: 1) a number of conceptual and strategic documents approved by the government where digitalization is recognized as one of the priority areas of the national development; 2) existing organizational and legal provisions for the successful implementation of plans for building a digital state; 3) projects to create public digital platforms and tools have been implemented and continue to be implemented; 4) a range of training courses for public servants on the “Diia. Education” online platform and other educational portals, “CDTO Campus” national educational project; 5) positive dynamics of digital literacy indicators of the population since 2019; 6) six Digital Competency Frameworks for different segments of the population and a project for civil servants; 7) a significant improvement in Ukraine’s positions in world rankings: EGDI 2024 ‒ 30th place (+16) and EPI 2024 ‒ 1st place (+57) among 193 countries, ODM 2024 ‒ 3rd place (-1) among 35 European participating countries. The European strategic guidelines for the development of the public sector are analyzed: the priority area is digital services and digital markets; digital skills rank topmost on the agenda of European policy. Originality. The scientific result consists in the substantiation and definition of the component of digital competence, i.e. digital etiquette of a public servant; recommendations for including professional digital skills in the mandatory job description for public service employees; use of specialized programs for the development of digital competence of the “Diia. Education” platform in the programs of advanced training and education of civil servants; proposals for amendments to the higher education standards at the bachelor’s and master’s levels in Specialty “281 Public Management and Administration” regarding the list of graduate competencies ‒ to include knowledge, skills, abilities that are inherent in the formation of digital competence of a graduate. Practical value. Determined in applied proposals for the formation of digital competence of public servants.