Evaluation of the Recruitment and Selection System for Village Community Empowerment Cadres (KPMD) in an Effort to Improve Village Empowerment in Batang Tuaka District

Figure Ilustration AI

FORMOSA NEWS - Riau - Evaluated Recruitment and Selection of Village Cadres Key to Sustainable Community Empowerment in Batang Tuaka. The long-term success of rural development initiatives relies heavily on the quality and competence of the human resources driving them at the local level. A comprehensive research study led by Renani, Widyawati, and Syafrinadina from Universitas Islam Indragiri evaluates the recruitment and selection systems for Village Community Empowerment Cadres (KPMD) across Batang Tuaka District in Indragiri Hilir Regency. Published in 2026, the study underscores that transparent, standardized, and competency-based selection processes are essential for building local capacity, improving public participation, and ensuring the success of community empowerment programs.

High Applicant Volume and Selection Challenges

To evaluate the recruitment and selection mechanisms, the research team from Universitas Islam Indragiri conducted an evaluative descriptive qualitative study between October 2025 and February 2026. The researchers gathered primary data through in-depth interviews, direct observations, and official institutional documentation across Batang Tuaka District. The study sampled 50 key informants, including the Head of Batang Tuaka District, 13 Village Heads and Local Community Leaders (Lurah), 20 active KPMD members, 8 selection committee members, and 8 prominent community leaders. The empirical data revealed significant public interest in the cadre positions, creating a highly competitive selection environment. Each village in Batang Tuaka District required exactly 3 KPMD personnel. However, applicant numbers ranged from 15 to 40 individuals per village, resulting in a total pool of 306 applicants competing for just 39 available positions across the district.

Key Findings of the Study
The evaluation conducted by the Universitas Islam Indragiri research team highlighted several critical findings regarding administrative practices and program outcomes:

• Procedural Adherence vs. Information Gaps: Recruitment procedures generally followed established administrative guidelines, utilizing village office notices, print outlets, and local announcements. However, dissemination methods varied widely between villages, leaving some residents uninformed about registration processes and limiting public participation during initial screening.
  
• Inconsistencies in Assessment Tools: The selection process evaluated candidates on social commitment, village knowledge, leadership potential, and educational background. Despite structured procedures, several village committees lacked standardized evaluation rubrics, leading to inconsistent application of selection criteria and potential subjectivity.
  
• Measurable Program Realization: Selected KPMD personnel successfully facilitated various social and economic initiatives. Program outcomes included community skill training (75 actual participants out of 100 targeted), Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) assistance (22 active businesses fostered out of 30 targeted), Village Fund management training (45 participants out of 60 targeted), and the Cash Labor-Intensive Program, which absorbed 120 workers out of a 150-person target.
  

Policy Implications and Real-World Impact
The insights provided by this study offer actionable guidance for regional public administration and rural policy implementation. For sub-district officials and village administration units, adopting unified, objective selection rubrics can eliminate evaluation disparities between localities. Enhancing public socialization prior to candidate screening ensures greater transparency and encourages community-driven accountability. Furthermore, establishing continuous performance evaluations and technical skill workshops for active KPMD members will strengthen institutional governance, optimize local budget utilization, and drive sustainable economic growth across rural communities.

Author Profiles
Renani, S.E., M.M. — Researcher and lecturer at Universitas Islam Indragiri, specializing in Human Resource Management, Public Administration, and Rural Development.
Widyawati, S.E., M.M. — Academic and researcher at Universitas Islam Indragiri, focusing on management research methodologies and organizational behavior.
Syafrinadina, S.E., M.M. — Academic at Universitas Islam Indragiri with expertise in economic principles, human resource optimization, and community empowerment strategies.

Source
Renani, Widyawati, Syafrinadina. Evaluation of the Recruitment and Selection System for Village Community Empowerment Cadres (KPMD) in an Effort to Improve Village Empowerment in Batang Tuaka District. Formosa Journal of Sustainable Research (FJSR), Vol. 5, No. 7, Tahun 2026, Halaman 585–598.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjsr.v5i7.56 
URL: https://journalfjsr.my.id/index.php/fjsr