Course Launch Date: 20^th October 2013

The Senior Executive Leadership Program is the Institute’s flagship leadership program. It is designed for senior public service officials and corporate executives who face the challenges of governance and decision-making on a day-to-day basis. SELP is a highly intensive, four-week program and participants are selected through an open, online competitive selection process.

Most part of the SELP curriculum is designed to provide the participants with a deeper understanding of pertinent national issues. An entire week of the program is dedicated to discussions on the political economy of public policy in Bhutan and another week on political history and governance issues. Besides this, course contains modules on key leadership skills including effective communication and negotiation skills. The final week of the course is dedicated to a learning journey that aims to broaden the perspective of the participants on aspects of society, economy and polity beyond classroom lectures and discussions.

Course Content

Week I: Leadership and Governance

• Leadership Skills
• Leadership Personalities
• Leadership of the Self
• Mindfulness & Emotional Intelligence
• Effective Negotiation Skills
• Presentation/Communications Skills

Week II: Leadership and Governance

• Bhutan's Political History: Formation and Development of the Bhutanese State
• The Role of Monarchs in Shaping the Bhutanese State: 100 Years & Beyond
• GNH: Vision, Policies & Perspectives
• Bhutan’s Foreign Policy: Key Issues
• Bhutanese Values and Traditions
• Professionalism, Ethics and Integrity in Public Service
• Justice, Rule of Law and Democracy
• Domestic Security: Trends and Issues

Week III: Political Economy of Public Policy

• Macroeconomics: Understanding the Fundamentals
• Macroeconomic Issues for Bhutan
• Bhutan's Political Economy: Issues and Concerns
• Fiscal Policies: Issues & Perspectives
• Monetary Policies: Issues & Perspectives
• Data Management & Analysis
• The Energy Sector: Issues and Concerns
• Role of State Institutions in the Economy

Week IV: Learning Journey

Competitive Selection Process

1. Intake & slots distribution

Sl. No.	Category/Sector	Slots
1	Public Servants (civil service; autonomous agencies, constitutional and other agencies as per RCSC classification)	17
2	Armed Forces	3
3	Corporations/SOEs/CSOs/Private Sector (companies registered under Companies Act of Bhutan/licensed by RGoB)	5
5	His Majesty’s nominees	5
Total		30

2. Online Application System

The admissions for the course will be announced on media (BBS, Newspapers and RIGSS website and Facebook page). All interested and eligible candidates will be invited to register and apply for the course through the RIGSS Online Application System.

3. Submission of Written Works & Other Credentials

Applicants must submit their written works and other credentials on or before the deadline specified in the announcement. While the minimum qualification required to be eligible for SELP is a Bachelor’s Degree, candidates with higher qualifications will be given additional marks in the selection. Further, extra-ordinary achievements, which are supported by proof of recognition/reward, will also be awarded additional marks.

4. Declaration of Results for Shortlisted Candidates

Based on evaluation of the written works and other credentials (qualification and extra-ordinary achievements) applicants will be shortlisted, and their results announced on the Institute’s website (www.rigss.bt)

5. Psychometric Test for Shortlisted Candidates

Shortlisted candidates will have to give an online psychometric test as a part of the final selection. Test instructions and deadline will be emailed to candidates soon after the shortlisted candidates are declared.

6. Interview for Shortlisted Candidates

A Skype interview will be organized for all shortlisted candidates as a part of the final selection. The date and time for interviews are scheduled by the Institute and communicated to candidates in advance of the interviews. The interview usually lasts for 15-20 minutes.

7. Declaration of Results

Names of the selected candidates will be announced on the Institute’s website (www.rigss.bt) within the dates announced.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates applying for the course must meet the following general and sector specific eligibility criteria:

1. General Criteria (applies to all candidates)

• Applicants must have a minimum qualification of Bachelors degree (any field)
• An applicant should maintain a minimum gap of five years between two RIGSS courses (FLP/YPLP/SELP). For example, if a candidate had attended the YPLP course, he/she will be eligible for the SELP course only after five years of completion of YPLP

2. Sector-specific Criteria:

• Applicants from the civil service and armed forces should be within the age of 55 years
• Applicants from all other agencies should be between the age of 40-55 years
• Applicants from the civil service must be in position level P1 or above
• Applicants from the armed forces must be in the rank of a Lt. Colonel or above
• Applicants from autonomous agencies, constitutional and other agencies, corporations, SOEs, private companies, CSOs must possess a minimum work experience of 15 years (CVs should clearly specify job history)