Moldova Civil Service Competition key terms

The supreme law of Moldova that establishes state organs, their competences, and citizens' fundamental rights. No law or administrative act may contradict it, and constitutional norms prevail over ordinary legislation.

The ranked order of legal acts in which lower-ranking acts must conform to higher ones: Constitution, constitutional laws, organic laws, ordinary laws, then government and ministerial acts. Courts and authorities resolve conflicts according to this ranking.

A law adopted by Parliament for matters the Constitution reserves to it, such as the organisation of courts, the civil service, or the status of local government. It requires a higher majority than an ordinary law.

Verification that laws and administrative acts comply with the Constitution, performed in Moldova by the Constitutional Court. Its decisions are final and binding, and an unconstitutional act ceases to have legal effect.

A person appointed under civil service legislation to a public office in a central or local public authority, exercising public powers and receiving a salary from the state budget. The status carries duties, rights, and restrictions.

The legal bond between a public servant and the public authority, created by an administrative appointment act. It defines rights, obligations, career progression, and the grounds on which it can be modified or terminated.

An initial period after appointment during which the servant's performance and suitability are assessed. If the assessment is negative, the service relationship may end under the procedure set by civil service law.

A periodic structured assessment of a public servant's results, competences, and conduct against agreed objectives. The outcome influences promotion, bonuses, or corrective measures and must be documented and reasoned.

The category assigned to a public office that determines the base salary under the unified pay system. Placement depends on the office's complexity and the servant's grade, and changes when the position changes.

A situation where a public servant's private interest could improperly influence official decisions. It must be declared and resolved, typically by abstaining from the decision or transferring the matter to another official.

A periodic statement in which a public servant discloses income, property, and interests, filed with the integrity authority. False or incomplete declarations can trigger control, disciplinary liability, or prosecution.

The standard requiring public officials to act honestly, impartially, and in the public interest, avoiding undue influence and personal gain. It underpins incompatibilities, declarations, and disciplinary rules in the civil service.

A set of binding ethical rules for public servants covering impartiality, courtesy, confidentiality, and avoidance of gifts or favours. Breach may lead to disciplinary sanctions under the civil service regime.

Legal responsibility of a public servant for misconduct, sanctioned after a disciplinary inquiry by measures such as warning, reprimand, or dismissal. The procedure must respect the right to be heard and to appeal.

A unilateral decision issued by a public authority under public law that creates, modifies, or extinguishes rights and obligations. It produces legal effects once communicated and is subject to administrative and judicial review.

The written statement of facts and legal grounds on which an administrative decision rests. A reasoned act lets the addressee understand and challenge it; failure to reason is a ground for annulment.

The procedural right of a person affected by an administrative decision to present views before it is adopted. It is a core guarantee of fair administrative procedure and its breach can invalidate the act.

A request to a higher or supervising authority to review and annul or amend an administrative act. It is usually a prior remedy before court action and must be filed within statutory deadlines.

The sequence of steps an authority must follow when deciding an individual case, including initiation, evidence, hearing, reasoning, and communication. Compliance with it protects legality and the rights of participants.

The annual plan of revenues and expenditures of a public authority, adopted by a representative body and executed under treasury rules. It authorises spending and is subject to audit and reporting.

The phase in which authorised revenues are collected and expenditures committed, liquidated, and paid within the approved limits. Spending beyond the approved budget requires a lawful budget amendment.

The regulated process by which public authorities buy goods, works, or services using public funds. It must follow transparency, competition, and equal treatment principles and use the prescribed award procedures.

Internal and external oversight of how public money is budgeted, spent, and accounted for. It aims to detect irregularities, ensure value for money, and support accountability of managers.

A state or local body established by law that exercises public powers, such as a ministry, agency, or local council. Its competence is defined by law and it acts through authorised officials.

The legally defined scope of powers and duties assigned to a public authority or official. Acting outside that scope makes a decision ultra vires and exposes the act to annulment.

The constitutional principle that local authorities manage local affairs on their own responsibility within the law. It covers organisation, finances, and decision-making, while remaining subject to state legality control.

The principle requiring comparable situations to be treated alike and different situations differently, without unjustified distinction. In administration it applies to access to services, employment, and procedure.

The prohibition of less favourable treatment based on protected grounds such as sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or language. It obliges authorities to prevent and remedy discriminatory practices and to offer reasonable accommodation.

Constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms of persons, such as dignity, privacy, expression, and access to justice. Public authorities may restrict them only by law and only when necessary and proportionate.

The requirement that a measure restricting a right be suitable, necessary, and not excessive for its legitimate aim. Courts use it to review administrative acts and sanctions that burden individuals.

The right to obtain official documents and data held by public authorities on request, subject only to narrow legal exceptions. Authorities must respond within deadlines and give reasons for any refusal.

The obligation to publish draft normative acts and consult stakeholders before adoption. It enables public participation and requires authorities to justify the final decision in light of consultations.

The use of information systems and electronic services to deliver public services and manage administration. It includes electronic signatures, interoperability, and data protection safeguards for citizens.

A public service delivered online through a government platform, allowing users to submit applications and receive outcomes remotely. It must be accessible, secure, and legally equivalent to the paper procedure.

Clear, respectful, and accurate exchange with citizens and colleagues in official correspondence and meetings. It uses plain language, respects confidentiality, and keeps a record of commitments made.

A decision grounded in verified data, legal analysis, and documented consultation rather than assumption. It requires identifying options, assessing risks, and recording the rationale for accountability.