What Date of Present Appointment means

Date of Present Appointment (DOPA) means:

The exact date an officer was appointed to the post or rank they currently occupy.

What it refers to in practice

It is not your first day in the civil service (unless your current post is your first appointment).
It is the date you last received a formal appointment or promotion into your current position.

Examples

  1. New entrant
  • Employed as Administrative Officer II on 15 March 2020
  • Still in the same rank
    ➡ Date of present appointment = 15 March 2020
  1. Promoted officer
  • First employed as Clerical Officer on 10 June 2015
  • Promoted to Executive Officer on 1 August 2019
  • Promoted to Administrative Officer I on 5 May 2023
    ➡ Date of present appointment = 5 May 2023

Why it is important

The date of present appointment is used to determine:

  • Seniority
  • Eligibility for promotion
  • Length of stay on a grade level
  • Confirmation or acting appointment periods

Difference from similar terms

TermMeaning
Date of First AppointmentWhen you first joined the civil service
Date of Present AppointmentWhen you were appointed to your current rank/post
Date of ConfirmationWhen your appointment was confirmed
Date of Last PromotionSame as date of present appointment (in most cases)
What Date of Present Appointment means

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