Saudi Public Prosecution to hire women investigators for first time

Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution will begin hiring Saudi women as investigative officers from this week.

Arabic newspaper Al-Madina cited Saudi attorney general Saud Al Mojeb as confirming the plans, which were later announced by the kingdom’s Centre for International Communication.

He said applicants must have good conduct, be qualified for the position, have a university degree in Sharia or information technology with no less than a grade C and pass aptitude and physical fitness tests.

“The hiring process is a rigorous one as we are looking for the most qualified of candidates to take on such a critical job. After meeting all the application requirements, the candidate will sit through an interview,” Al Mojeb was quoted as saying.

The application process will open on Sunday, February 11.

The official position is for the rank of lieutenant investigator, with responsibilities including criminal investigation, testifying in court, supervising the execution of penal verdicts, inspecting prisons, listening to the complaints of inmates, overseeing prisoner release, briefing the interior minister and other executive functions.

Al-Mojeb has been a key figure in the kingdom’s recent corruption purge, which snared businessmen royals and former government officials.

He said at the end of last month that 56 individuals of 381 subpoenaed were still being held after the kingdom accumulated settlements from those accused worth more than $100bn.

Read: Saudi says $107bn received in corruption settlements

Other important security roles recently opened to women include as passport control agents at airports and border crossings.

The Saudi General Directorate of Passports said on February 1 that it had received 107,000 applications after advertising 140 jobs.

Last year, the justice ministry also announced plans to recruit 300 women as social researchers, administrative assistants, Islamic jurisprudence researchers and legal researchers.

Read: Saudi justice ministry to hire women for the first time