1. The Permanent Secretary (People and Standards), Office of the Prime Minister, invites applications for the post of Talk Therapy Assistant in the Employee Support Programme Unit within the People and Standards Division in the Office of the Prime Minister.

2.1 This appointment is subject to a probationary/trial period of twelve (12) months.

2.2 The salary for the post of Talk Therapy Assistant is Salary Scale 10, which in the year 2026 is €27,055.98 per annum, rising by annual increments of €407.67 up to a maximum of €29,502.00.

2.3 A Talk Therapy Assistant in Salary Scale 10 will progress to Salary Scale 9 (€28,701.02 x €447.33 - €31,385.00 in 2026) on completion of two (2) years of service in Salary Scale 10, subject to satisfactory performance.

2.4 A Talk Therapy Assistant in Salary Scale 9 will progress to Salary Scale 8 (€30,405.02 x €486.83 - €33,326.00 in 2026) on completion of three (3) years of service in Salary Scale 9, subject to satisfactory performance.

2.5 A Talk Therapy Assistant  who obtains a recognised Masters Degree at MQF Level 7 (subject to a minimum of 90 ECTS credits or equivalent*) or  comparable qualification and Warrant in relevant areas as determined by Management shall be placed in Salary Scale 8 (€30,405.02 x €486.83 - €33,326.00 in 2026).

*A recognised Masters qualification with a minimum of 60 ECTS credits is only accepted subject to an MQRIC formal Masters recognition statement being submitted with the application (subject to the provisions of clause 5.4 of the General Provisions document). A recognised Masters qualification from the University of Malta (awarded pre-2009) with less than 60 ECTS credits is acceptable provided that it is verified by MQRIC or the University of Malta that the workload is comparable to at least 60 ECTS credits.

2.6 Appointees will be entitled to such other benefits and subject to such other conditions and obligations as stipulated in the pertinent sectorial agreement between the Government of Malta and the competent Union.

3. The job duties for the post of Talk Therapy Assistant may be viewed in Annex A attached to this Circular.

4.1 By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must be Public Officers in the Malta Public Service or Public Officers in the Malta Public Service on loan/detailed with/deployed with/on attachment to Public Sector organizations. 

In addition applicants must be:

(i) proficient in the Maltese and English languages;

AND

(ii) in possession of a recognised Bachelor's Degree at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits or equivalent*) in relevant areas as determined by Management.

*A recognised comparable Bachelor’s Qualification, as applicable, is only accepted subject to an MQRIC formal recognition statement being submitted with the application (subject to the provisions of clause 5.4 of the General Provisions document). A recognised Bachelor’s qualification from the University of Malta (awarded pre- 2009) with less than 180 ECTS credits is acceptable provided that it is verified by MQRIC or the University of Malta that the workload is comparable to the minimum of 180 ECTS credits. 

4.2 Public Officers holding a grade in a particular stream, and who were granted Officer in Scale status by virtue of a Grievances Unit decision in the same scale as that of a higher grade in that stream, are eligible to apply for grades open to officers holding such higher grade within the stream that carries the same scale as that of the Officer in Scale status.

The years of service since the effective date of appointment as Officer in Scale are reckonable for the purpose of satisfying any requisite years of service stipulated in calls for applications.

Any other eligibility requisites for the post must be met in terms of this call for applications.

4.4 (i) Candidates who have not yet formally obtained or are not yet approved for the qualification specified in paragraph 4.1 or else as indicated in paragraph 3.1 of the general provisions https://peopleandstandards.gov.mt/media/PDFs/Resourcing/GenProvs/GeneralProvisions_ENG.pdf will still be considered provided that they submit evidence that they are in the final phase of their course leading to such qualification. Appointees must obtain, or be approved, for the award of such qualification within one year of their appointment date. If this stipulated deadline for the attainment of such said minimum qualification is not met, the appointment will be, for this reason, revoked.

(ii)  Furthermore, candidates who are currently following a recognised programme of study at a higher MQF level than that requested above will also be considered.  Such candidates are to submit evidence that they have successfully completed the necessary ECTS credits, or equivalent, and attained the required MQF level, by the closing time and date of the call for applications. Prospective applicants should note the requirement to produce MQRIC recognition statements in respect of their qualifications from MQRIC, or other designated authorities, as applicable, as per provisions applicable to this call for applications (see link below).