HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN EDUCATION AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL: NEW COMPETENCIES FOR MANAGERS IN THE CONTEXT OF DECENTRALIZATION

Abstract

The article substantiates the transformation of human resource management in the Ukrainian education system under decentralization and the growing role of regional governance. It is argued that the transfer of authority to local communities, financial autonomy, and increased managerial responsibility require a shift from administrative personnel management to strategic human capital management. The evolution of HR approaches is analyzed, moving from traditional personnel administration to the integration of human resources into strategic planning of educational network development. The specificity of human resources in education is defined through the combination of pedagogical and socio-economic functions. The necessity of rethinking the professional profile of regional education leaders and implementing a competencybased management model is justified. Professional, social, and strategic competencies are identified as structural components of managerial capacity. It is emphasized that strategic competencies, including workforce development planning, change management, and data-driven decision-making, form the core of the proposed model. A model for the development of managerial competencies is presented, based on the principles of systemic coherence, continuity, adaptability, and digital integration. The practical implications for regional educational authorities are outlined, and directions for further empirical research on competency assessment and the impact of managerial practices on educational outcomes are suggested.