Scenario Walkthroughs
Step-by-step guidance for common situations — learn the rules through real-life examples.
Applying for Annual Leave
The complete leave application process, eligibility rules, and what happens if your request is denied.
Facing a Disciplinary Hearing
From allegation to outcome — your rights, the steps involved, and the range of possible penalties.
Requesting Maternity or Paternity Leave
Your entitlements, how to apply, salary during leave, and procedures for returning to work.
Applying for Promotion
Eligibility criteria, how the selection process works, seniority rules, and recourse if passed over.
Reporting Sick and Extended Sick Leave
What to do when you fall ill — from notifying your supervisor on day one through medical certificates, Medical Board referral, and half-pay rules for extended absence.
Retiring from the Civil Service
The full retirement process — from notification timelines and pension calculations to your final Certificate of Service, whether you are reaching statutory age or retiring voluntarily.
Handing Over Duties on Transfer
The complete handover process when you are transferred, promoted to a new post, or leaving your position — including inventory checks, handover notes, and what happens if deficiencies are found.
Applying for Training or Study Leave
How to apply for a training course, scholarship, or study leave — including who approves it, the Surety Bond requirement, salary and allowance arrangements, and your obligations during and after training.
Reporting Misconduct or Corruption
Your legal obligation to report fraud, corruption, nepotism, or other misconduct — who to report to, what protections exist, and what happens if you fail to report.
Requesting Permission for Outside Work
The rules on taking up paid work outside your civil service duties — who can approve it, what restrictions apply, and special rules for Medical Officers and Dentists.
Probation and Confirmation in Service
What happens during your first year as a civil servant — the probationary period, performance expectations, medical requirements, and the confirmation process that makes your appointment permanent.
Understanding Your Performance Appraisal
The annual performance management cycle — from setting your performance plan to the formal review, what happens with good or poor ratings, and how appraisals affect promotions and increments.
Understanding Your Salary and Increments
How to determine your increment date, what happens when you reach the top of your salary scale, and how your salary is set after a promotion. Covers the longevity increment rules and the correct way to calculate your new salary point.
Claiming Acting or Charge Allowance
When you are required to perform the duties of a higher post, you may be entitled to an acting allowance or a charge allowance. This guide explains the eligibility rules, how the amounts are calculated, and the correct process for notifying the Permanent Secretary at the Personnel Management Office.
Requesting a Transfer or Secondment
Civil servants may request a transfer to another department or a secondment to an outside organisation. This guide explains the eligibility conditions, the financial arrangements, and the procedural steps for both types of movement, including important rules about leave and the maximum duration of secondments.
Claiming Duty Travel Allowance
When you travel away from your normal station on official government business, you may be entitled to a daily subsistence allowance, a relocation allowance on posting, or a provincial zone allowance. This guide explains the rates, the conditions under which allowances are payable, and how to submit a valid claim.
Accessing Medical and Dental Treatment
All permanent civil servants are covered by the Government Medical Insurance Scheme. This guide explains how to access routine treatment, what happens when you need extended sick leave or a Medical Board assessment, and the process for seeking government-funded overseas medical care.
Applying for Government Quarters
Government-owned residential quarters are allocated to civil servants based on grade and posting location. This guide explains who is entitled to rent-free quarters, what happens when a quarter is unavailable, the rules for officers posted away from their home area, and the obligations of occupants including notice requirements and inspection.
Resigning from the Civil Service
Resignation from the civil service requires proper notice, Public Service Commission approval in appropriate cases, and full settlement of any outstanding obligations. This guide explains the notice period rules, what prevents a valid resignation, and what happens to your pension and other entitlements on leaving.
Death in Service and Family Benefits
If a permanent civil servant dies while in service, their family is entitled to specific financial compensation and practical support from the Government. This guide sets out what families are entitled to, the conditions that must be met, the process for making a claim, and how the Government assists with repatriation of the deceased and their family.
Using Government Transport
How to request a government vehicle for official duty travel, or claim reimbursement for hired transport when a government vehicle is unavailable. Covers requisition procedures, log sheet obligations, and the conditions under which hired transport costs can be recovered.
Declaring Financial Interests
How civil servants must disclose investments, shareholdings, and other financial interests to avoid conflicts of interest. Covers initial disclosure on appointment, ongoing obligations while in service, and the serious consequences of non-disclosure.
Appealing a Disciplinary Penalty
How to appeal against a disciplinary penalty imposed on you, including the correct authority to appeal to, the strict time limits that apply, and how the appeals process differs for compulsory retirement. A union or staff association representative may assist you throughout.
Understanding Suspension and Interdiction
Explains the difference between suspension and interdiction, including what triggers each measure, how it affects your pay, your obligations and restrictions during the period, and what happens when the case is resolved.
Carrying Over or Forfeiting Leave
What the rules say about untaken annual leave — including when it is forfeited, the limited carry-over allowance, and what happens to outstanding leave before retirement, secondment, or during a notice period. Knowing these rules helps you avoid losing leave entitlements.
Claiming Family Travel on Posting
Explains when the government will pay for your family's travel, including the entitlement to transport for your spouse and up to three dependent children when you are posted or assume duty, the passage warrant procedure, and additional provisions for Category III officers and invalided or retired officers.
Handling Retrenchment and Redundancy
What happens when your post is abolished and you face retrenchment — the four mandatory criteria that must be met, how the process is managed by the Personnel Management Office, what compensation you are entitled to, and the rules on re-employment after retrenchment.
Understanding Contract Officer Terms
The key terms and conditions that apply to contract employment in the Gambian civil service, including initial period, maximum duration, gratuity entitlement, renewal rules, leave, and how contract employment differs from established service.
Requesting Compassionate or Special Leave
This scenario guides you through applying for special leave or leave without pay for personal emergencies, family obligations, or other exceptional circumstances. It covers who has authority to grant such leave, what conditions apply, and how extended absences affect your pensionability and increment date.
Understanding Your Pension and Gratuity
This scenario explains the retirement benefit options available to civil servants in The Gambia, covering full pension, the reduced pension with lump-sum gratuity option, and gratuity payments for contract officers. It outlines the roles of the Treasury, the Auditor General, and the Pensions Authority, and the steps an officer must take to ensure timely processing of benefits.
Navigating the Recruitment Process
This scenario walks applicants and recruiting officers through the civil service recruitment process in The Gambia, from advertisement through appointment. It distinguishes between the streamlined process for Grade 1–2 posts (delegated to the Head of Department) and the fuller Public Service Commission process for Grade 3 and above, and explains minimum standards that must be met throughout.
Reporting Unauthorized Absence
This scenario explains what constitutes unauthorised absence, the financial and disciplinary consequences that follow, and the steps a Head of Department must take to document and report such absence. It also covers the related issue of persistent late arrival and how that must be managed.
Seeking Overseas Training Allowances
This scenario guides civil servants and their supervising officers through the allowances, conditions, and obligations that apply when officers travel overseas for conferences, training courses, or scholarships. The type of travel and its duration determine which allowances apply, and scholarship awards carry additional obligations including a mandatory Surety Bond.
Filing a Workplace Grievance
This scenario explains how a civil servant can raise a formal workplace grievance through the proper official channels. It covers the step-by-step escalation path from immediate supervisor to HoD to PS-PMO, the role of union representatives, anti-discrimination protections, and the officer's right not to face retaliation for raising a legitimate concern.
Managing Government Property and Inventory
This scenario explains the obligations of officers who are assigned government quarters or other property, covering both the handover-in process when taking charge and the handover-out process when vacating. It details the role of CORA, financial liability for loss or damage, annual inventory requirements, and the dispute resolution process.