The competition committee has identified two finalists for the position of Head of the State Customs Service
The competition commission for the selection of the head of the State Customs Service, based on the results of the final interviews, has identified two candidates for the position. The list of finalists includes employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine Ruslan Damentsov and Orest Mandziy. This was reported by People’s Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Both candidates have significant experience in anti-corruption activities: Damentsov works as the deputy head of the second unit of NABU detectives, and Mandziy heads the sixth unit of the agency.
The candidacies have been submitted for consideration by the Ministry of Finance, which is to determine the winner and future head of the service within the next ten days. This appointment is significant for the agency, as the State Customs Service has been without a permanent head for over four years. Currently, the duties of the head are performed by Serhiy Zvyagintsev.
“These two candidates have been submitted for consideration by the Ministry of Finance, which will appoint a new head of the State Customs Service within ten days,” noted MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Reforming the customs system is one of the key structural beacons within the framework of Ukraine’s cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the United States. The updated legislation, which came into force last fall, provides for the introduction of best international practices in personnel selection, similar to those used in the NABU and the SAP.
“The customs reform is an important structural beacon from the IMF and the World Bank, which was supported by leading business associations”, he emphasized in his message.
The new law not only changes the selection procedure with the participation of international experts, but also gives the future head the right to independently form the personnel potential and appoint deputies. In addition, a mandatory annual independent audit of the activities of customs authorities is being introduced. If the auditors’ conclusion is negative, this will be a direct basis for the dismissal of the head.
The reform process also provides for a one-time certification of all customs officials to verify their professional suitability. The modernization of the department is integrated into the National Plan of Ukraine within the framework of the EU Ukraine Facility and the National Revenue Strategy until 2030, which should ensure transparency and efficiency of the work of customs authorities in the long term.
