# CA2006172EN.01002401.xml

| 25.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CA 172/24 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 172/24

---

NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITIONS

NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITIONS

(2006/C 172 A/02)

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising the following open competitions, based on tests, to constitute a reserve of:

ASSISTANTS
   (1)
  (AST1)

ASSISTANTS

1

(AST1)

| WITH CYPRIOT CITIZENSHIP (CY) | EPSO/AST/16/06 |
| --- | --- |
| WITH CZECH CITIZENSHIP (CZ) | EPSO/AST/17/06 |
| WITH ESTONIAN CITIZENSHIP (EE) | EPSO/AST/18/06 |
| WITH HUNGARIAN CITIZENSHIP (HU) | EPSO/AST/19/06 |
| WITH LITHUANIAN CITIZENSHIP (LT) | EPSO/AST/20/06 |
| WITH LATVIAN CITIZENSHIP (LV) | EPSO/AST/21/06 |
| WITH MALTESE CITIZENSHIP (MT) | EPSO/AST/22/06 |
| WITH POLISH CITIZENSHIP (PL) | EPSO/AST/23/06 |
| WITH SLOVENE CITIZENSHIP (SI) | EPSO/AST/24/06 |
| WITH SLOVAK CITIZENSHIP (SK) | EPSO/AST/25/06 |

WITH CYPRIOT CITIZENSHIP (CY)

EPSO/AST/16/06

WITH CZECH CITIZENSHIP (CZ)

EPSO/AST/17/06

WITH ESTONIAN CITIZENSHIP (EE)

EPSO/AST/18/06

WITH HUNGARIAN CITIZENSHIP (HU)

EPSO/AST/19/06

WITH LITHUANIAN CITIZENSHIP (LT)

EPSO/AST/20/06

WITH LATVIAN CITIZENSHIP (LV)

EPSO/AST/21/06

WITH MALTESE CITIZENSHIP (MT)

EPSO/AST/22/06

WITH POLISH CITIZENSHIP (PL)

EPSO/AST/23/06

WITH SLOVENE CITIZENSHIP (SI)

EPSO/AST/24/06

WITH SLOVAK CITIZENSHIP (SK)

EPSO/AST/25/06

in the secretarial field

CONTENTS

| A. | DUTIES AND ELIGIBILITY (PROFILE SOUGHT) |
| --- | --- |

A.

| B. | ADMISSION TESTS |
| --- | --- |

B.

| C. | PRACTICAL AND ORAL TESTS |
| --- | --- |

C.

| D. | HOW TO APPLY |
| --- | --- |

D.

| E. | GENERAL INFORMATION |
| --- | --- |

E.

| ANNEX: | Requests for review — Appeal procedures — Complaints to the European Ombudsman |
| --- | --- |

ANNEX:

In parallel with this competition EPSO is also organising the following open competitions:

| — | EPSO/AD/53/06, Administrators (AD5) with Cypriot citizenship (CY)
  EPSO/AD/54/06, Administrators (AD5) with Czech citizenship (CZ)
  EPSO/AD/55/06, Administrators (AD5) with Estonian citizenship (EE)
  EPSO/AD/56/06, Administrators (AD5) with Hungarian citizenship (HU)
  EPSO/AD/57/06, Administrators (AD5) with Lithuanian citizenship (LT)
  EPSO/AD/58/06, Administrators (AD5) with Latvian citizenship (LV)
  EPSO/AD/59/06, Administrators (AD5) with Maltese citizenship (MT)
  EPSO/AD/60/06, Administrators (AD5) with Polish citizenship (PL)
  EPSO/AD/61/06, Administrators (AD5) with Slovene citizenship (SI)
  EPSO/AD/62/06, Administrators (AD5) with Slovak citizenship (SK)
  in the fields of:






  — | European public administration/Human resources, |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AD/53/06, Administrators (AD5) with Cypriot citizenship (CY)

EPSO/AD/54/06, Administrators (AD5) with Czech citizenship (CZ)

EPSO/AD/55/06, Administrators (AD5) with Estonian citizenship (EE)

EPSO/AD/56/06, Administrators (AD5) with Hungarian citizenship (HU)

EPSO/AD/57/06, Administrators (AD5) with Lithuanian citizenship (LT)

EPSO/AD/58/06, Administrators (AD5) with Latvian citizenship (LV)

EPSO/AD/59/06, Administrators (AD5) with Maltese citizenship (MT)

EPSO/AD/60/06, Administrators (AD5) with Polish citizenship (PL)

EPSO/AD/61/06, Administrators (AD5) with Slovene citizenship (SI)

EPSO/AD/62/06, Administrators (AD5) with Slovak citizenship (SK)

in the fields of:

—

European public administration/Human resources,

| — | Law, |
| --- | --- |

—

Law,

| — | Economics, |
| --- | --- |

—

Economics,

| — | Microeconomics/Business administration. |
| --- | --- |

—

Microeconomics/Business administration.

| — | EPSO/AST/16/06, Assistants (AST1) with Cypriot citizenship (CY)
  EPSO/AST/17/06, Assistants (AST1) with Czech citizenship (CZ)
  EPSO/AST/18/06, Assistants (AST1) with Estonian citizenship (EE)
  EPSO/AST/19/06, Assistants (AST1) with Hungarian citizenship (HU)
  EPSO/AST/20/06, Assistants (AST1) with Lithuanian citizenship (LT)
  EPSO/AST/21/06, Assistants (AST1) with Latvian citizenship (LV)
  EPSO/AST/22/06, Assistants (AST1) with Maltese citizenship (MT)
  EPSO/AST/23/06, Assistants (AST1) with Polish citizenship (PL)
  EPSO/AST/24/06, Assistants (AST1) with Slovene citizenship (SI)
  EPSO/AST/25/06, Assistants (AST1) with Slovak citizenship (SK)
  in the Secretarial field. |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AST/16/06, Assistants (AST1) with Cypriot citizenship (CY)

EPSO/AST/17/06, Assistants (AST1) with Czech citizenship (CZ)

EPSO/AST/18/06, Assistants (AST1) with Estonian citizenship (EE)

EPSO/AST/19/06, Assistants (AST1) with Hungarian citizenship (HU)

EPSO/AST/20/06, Assistants (AST1) with Lithuanian citizenship (LT)

EPSO/AST/21/06, Assistants (AST1) with Latvian citizenship (LV)

EPSO/AST/22/06, Assistants (AST1) with Maltese citizenship (MT)

EPSO/AST/23/06, Assistants (AST1) with Polish citizenship (PL)

EPSO/AST/24/06, Assistants (AST1) with Slovene citizenship (SI)

EPSO/AST/25/06, Assistants (AST1) with Slovak citizenship (SK)

in the Secretarial field.

| — | EPSO/AST/26/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Danish (DA)
  EPSO/AST/27/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language German (DE)
  EPSO/AST/28/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Greek (EL)
  EPSO/AST/29/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language English (EN)
  EPSO/AST/30/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Spanish (ES)
  EPSO/AST/31/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Finnish (FI)
  EPSO/AST/32/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language French (FR)
  EPSO/AST/33/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Italian (IT)
  EPSO/AST/34/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Dutch (NL)
  EPSO/AST/35/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Portuguese (PT)
  EPSO/AST/36/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Swedish (SV)
  in the Secretarial field, |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AST/26/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Danish (DA)

EPSO/AST/27/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language German (DE)

EPSO/AST/28/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Greek (EL)

EPSO/AST/29/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language English (EN)

EPSO/AST/30/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Spanish (ES)

EPSO/AST/31/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Finnish (FI)

EPSO/AST/32/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language French (FR)

EPSO/AST/33/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Italian (IT)

EPSO/AST/34/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Dutch (NL)

EPSO/AST/35/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Portuguese (PT)

EPSO/AST/36/06, Assistants (AST1) having as their main language Swedish (SV)

in the Secretarial field,

You may apply for only one of these competitions and for only one field within that competition. You must choose when you register online, and you may not change your choice after the closing date for registration.

You may apply for only one of these competitions and for only one field within that competition. You must choose when you register online, and you may not change your choice after the closing date for registration.

To ensure that all general information relating to the competition and all communication between candidates and EPSO is clearly understood on both sides, only English, French and German will be used for the invitations to the various tests and for correspondence between EPSO and candidates.

To ensure that all general information relating to the competition and all communication between candidates and EPSO is clearly understood on both sides, only English, French and German will be used for the invitations to the various tests and for correspondence between EPSO and candidates.

The language you choose as your second language (see A.II.2(b)) will be the language used for communicating with you.

The language you choose as your second language (see A.II.2(b)) will be the language used for communicating with you.

A.   DUTIES AND ELIGIBILITY (PROFILE SOUGHT)

These open competitions are being held to recruit Assistants (AST1) in the Secretarial field.

The purpose of the competitions is to draw up reserve lists from which to fill vacant posts in the institutions of the European Union.

Number of successful candidates by competition:

| EPSO/AST/16/06 — CY | 35 |
| --- | --- |
| EPSO/AST/17/06 — CZ | 70 |
| EPSO/AST/18/06 — EE | 70 |
| EPSO/AST/19/06 — HU | 65 |
| EPSO/AST/20/06 — LT | 70 |
| EPSO/AST/21/06 — LV | 75 |
| EPSO/AST/22/06 — MT | 70 |
| EPSO/AST/23/06 — PL | 80 |
| EPSO/AST/24/06 — SI | 70 |
| EPSO/AST/25/06 — SK | 70 |

EPSO/AST/16/06 — CY

35

EPSO/AST/17/06 — CZ

70

EPSO/AST/18/06 — EE

70

EPSO/AST/19/06 — HU

65

EPSO/AST/20/06 — LT

70

EPSO/AST/21/06 — LV

75

EPSO/AST/22/06 — MT

70

EPSO/AST/23/06 — PL

80

EPSO/AST/24/06 — SI

70

EPSO/AST/25/06 — SK

70

I.   DUTIES

Duties will include:

| — | secretarial tasks associated with organising meetings, arranging official travel, etc.; |
| --- | --- |

—

secretarial tasks associated with organising meetings, arranging official travel, etc.;

| — | a range of other standard secretarial tasks: filing documents and correspondence, monitoring correspondence, keeping appointments diaries, etc; |
| --- | --- |

—

a range of other standard secretarial tasks: filing documents and correspondence, monitoring correspondence, keeping appointments diaries, etc;

| — | word processing in your main language and possibly in another official language of the European Union; |
| --- | --- |

—

word processing in your main language and possibly in another official language of the European Union;

| — | formatting electronic documents (e.g. page layout, tables); |
| --- | --- |

—

formatting electronic documents (e.g. page layout, tables);

| — | various administrative tasks associated with file management using office software packages. |
| --- | --- |

—

various administrative tasks associated with file management using office software packages.

The European institutions attach particular importance to the ability to grasp varied and often complex issues, to react swiftly to changing circumstances and to communicate effectively. Recruits are therefore expected to show initiative and imagination and must be highly motivated. They must also be able to work frequently under pressure, both independently and as part of a team, and to fit into a multicultural working environment. Finally, they must be prepared to upgrade their professional skills throughout their career.

The European institutions attach particular importance to the ability to grasp varied and often complex issues, to react swiftly to changing circumstances and to communicate effectively. Recruits are therefore expected to show initiative and imagination and must be highly motivated. They must also be able to work frequently under pressure, both independently and as part of a team, and to fit into a multicultural working environment. Finally, they must be prepared to upgrade their professional skills throughout their career.

II.   ELIGIBILITY (PROFILE SOUGHT)

The competitions are open to candidates who,

  on the closing date for online registration


   (2), satisfy the following requirements.

on the closing date for online registration

2

1.   Qualifications and professional experience

You must have

| (i) | a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma in a field relevant to the nature of duties listed in A.I.,
  or |
| --- | --- |

(i)

a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma in a field relevant to the nature of duties listed in A.I.,

or

| (ii) | a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education followed by at least three years professional experience relevant to those duties listed in A.1. |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education followed by at least three years professional experience relevant to those duties listed in A.1.

The selection boards will allow for differences between education systems. For examples of the minimum qualifications required, see the tables annexed to the Guide for Applicants (3) (on the EPSO website) for each category. Note that these are examples only — more stringent requirements may be set in the notice of competition.

3

2.   Knowledge of languages

| (a) | Main language

  You must have a thorough knowledge of the:






  — | Greek language for open competition EPSO/AST/16/06, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

Main language

Main language

You must have a thorough knowledge of the:

—

Greek language for open competition EPSO/AST/16/06,

| — | Czech language for open competition EPSO/AST/17/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

Czech language for open competition EPSO/AST/17/06,

| — | Estonian language for open competition EPSO/AST/18/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

Estonian language for open competition EPSO/AST/18/06,

| — | Hungarian language for open competition EPSO/AST/19/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

Hungarian language for open competition EPSO/AST/19/06,

| — | Lithuanian language for open competition EPSO/AST/20/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

Lithuanian language for open competition EPSO/AST/20/06,

| — | Latvian language for open competition EPSO/AST/21/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

Latvian language for open competition EPSO/AST/21/06,

| — | Maltese language for open competition EPSO/AST/22/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

Maltese language for open competition EPSO/AST/22/06,

| — | Polish language for open competition EPSO/AST/23/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

Polish language for open competition EPSO/AST/23/06,

| — | Slovenian language for open competition EPSO/AST/24/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

Slovenian language for open competition EPSO/AST/24/06,

| — | Slovak language for open competition EPSO/AST/25/06. |
| --- | --- |

—

Slovak language for open competition EPSO/AST/25/06.

By way of exception, Cypriot citizens who do not have Greek as their main language may choose one of the following languages: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish or Swedish. In this case, the second language must be different from the main language chosen.

| (b) | Second language (i.e. different to your main language)
  You must have a satisfactory knowledge of English, French or German. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Second language (i.e. different to your main language)

Second language

You must have a satisfactory knowledge of English, French or German.

All details relating to your language skills must be indicated on the online registration form
   (4)
  and on the application form.

All details relating to your language skills must be indicated on the online registration form

4

and on the application form.

3.   General conditions

You must:

| — | have Cypriot citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/16/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Cypriot citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/16/06,

| — | have Czech citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/17/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Czech citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/17/06,

| — | have Estonian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/18/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Estonian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/18/06,

| — | have Hungarian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/19/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Hungarian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/19/06,

| — | have Lithuanian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/20/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Lithuanian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/20/06,

| — | have Latvian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/21/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Latvian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/21/06,

| — | have Maltese citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/22/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Maltese citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/22/06,

| — | have Polish citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/23/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Polish citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/23/06,

| — | have Slovenian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/24/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Slovenian citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/24/06,

| — | have Slovak citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/25/06, |
| --- | --- |

—

have Slovak citizenship for open competition EPSO/AST/25/06,

| — | be entitled to full rights as a citizen, |
| --- | --- |

—

be entitled to full rights as a citizen,

| — | have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws on military service, |
| --- | --- |

—

have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws on military service,

| — | meet the character requirements for the duties involved. |
| --- | --- |

—

meet the character requirements for the duties involved.

B.   ADMISSION TESTS

EPSO is organising admission tests with a view to carrying out a preliminary selection allowing admission to the competition.

EPSO will organise the tests for all candidates:

| (i) | either directly on computers, if there are enough specialised test centres available, in which case the tests will be held over a time period to be set by EPSO, or |
| --- | --- |

(i)

either directly on computers, if there are enough specialised test centres available, in which case the tests will be held over a time period to be set by EPSO, or

either directly on computers, if there are enough specialised test centres available, in which case the tests will be held over a time period to be set by EPSO, or

| (ii) | on paper, in which case the test (see B.2) will be held on the same day for all candidates. |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

on paper, in which case the test (see B.2) will be held on the same day for all candidates.

on paper, in which case the test (see B.2) will be held on the same day for all candidates.

1.   Admission tests — marking

You will sit tests (a) and (b) in your second language (English, French or German). You must specify which language you choose when you register for the competition (see A.II.2(b)) and ensure that this language is different to your main language.

| (a) | A test comprising a series of multiple-choice questions to assess your knowledge of the European Union and its institutions.
  This test will be marked out of 20 (pass mark: 10) |
| --- | --- |

(a)

A test comprising a series of multiple-choice questions to assess your knowledge of the European Union and its institutions.

This test will be marked out of 20 (pass mark: 10)

| (b) | A test comprising a series of multiple-choice question to assess your general ability, in particular your verbal and numerical reasoning skills.
  This test will be marked out of 40 (pass mark: 20). |
| --- | --- |

(b)

A test comprising a series of multiple-choice question to assess your general ability, in particular your verbal and numerical reasoning skills.

This test will be marked out of 40 (pass mark: 20).

Wrong answers in these tests will not be penalised.

The candidates (5) (see table below) who obtained the highest overall scores in the admission tests and a pass mark in each test will be asked to submit a full application with a view to being admitted to the competition.

5

| EPSO/AST/16/06 — CY | 90 |
| --- | --- |
| EPSO/AST/17/06 — CZ | 175 |
| EPSO/AST/18/06 — EE | 175 |
| EPSO/AST/19/06 — HU | 165 |
| EPSO/AST/20/06 — LT | 175 |
| EPSO/AST/21/06 — LV | 190 |
| EPSO/AST/22/06 — MT | 175 |
| EPSO/AST/23/06 — PL | 200 |
| EPSO/AST/24/06 — SI | 175 |
| EPSO/AST/25/06 — SK | 175 |

EPSO/AST/16/06 — CY

90

EPSO/AST/17/06 — CZ

175

EPSO/AST/18/06 — EE

175

EPSO/AST/19/06 — HU

165

EPSO/AST/20/06 — LT

175

EPSO/AST/21/06 — LV

190

EPSO/AST/22/06 — MT

175

EPSO/AST/23/06 — PL

200

EPSO/AST/24/06 — SI

175

EPSO/AST/25/06 — SK

175

Following examination of your application, provided you satisfy all the requirements for admission, you will be invited to sit the practical and oral tests.

2.   Admission tests — date and place (according to the testing method adopted by EPSO):

| (i) | Computerised admission tests organised in specialised centres (CBT)

  The admission tests will be held in specialised centres in the European Union. Your test date will be fixed by agreement with the centres within a time period scheduled by EPSO.
  This time period cannot be changed at the candidates' request. You will be notified of this date when you receive your invitation to the tests (via your EPSO profile). |
| --- | --- |

(i)

Computerised admission tests organised in specialised centres (CBT)

Computerised admission tests organised in specialised centres (CBT)

The admission tests will be held in specialised centres in the European Union. Your test date will be fixed by agreement with the centres within a time period scheduled by EPSO.

This time period cannot be changed at the candidates' request. You will be notified of this date when you receive your invitation to the tests (via your EPSO profile).

| (ii) | Admission tests on paper organised simultaneously for all candidates

  The admission tests will be held simultaneously for all candidates at one or more centres in the European Union.
  The date scheduled by EPSO cannot be changed at the candidates' request. You will be notified of this date when you receive your invitation to the tests (via your EPSO profile). |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

Admission tests on paper organised simultaneously for all candidates

Admission tests on paper organised simultaneously for all candidates

The admission tests will be held simultaneously for all candidates at one or more centres in the European Union.

The date scheduled by EPSO cannot be changed at the candidates' request. You will be notified of this date when you receive your invitation to the tests (via your EPSO profile).

C.   PRACTICAL AND ORAL TESTS

1.   Practical tests – marking

Standard keyboards
   (6)
  such as those used in the European workplace will be provided.

Standard keyboards

6

such as those used in the European workplace will be provided.

| (a) | Practical test involving the processing of an MS Word document (e.g. page layout, tables, correcting of text, etc.).
  This test will be marked out of 40 (pass mark: 20).
  You will sit test (a) in English (EN), French (FR) or German (DE); you must specify which language you choose when you register online (see A.II.2(b)). |
| --- | --- |

(a)

Practical test involving the processing of an MS Word document (e.g. page layout, tables, correcting of text, etc.).

This test will be marked out of 40 (pass mark: 20).

You will sit test (a) in English (EN), French (FR) or German (DE); you must specify which language you choose when you register online (see A.II.2(b)).

| (b) | Practical test to assess your writing skills (particularly spelling, syntax and grammar) in your main language and which will involve writing an essay on the basis of information provided.
  This test will be marked out of 20 (pass mark: 15). |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Practical test to assess your writing skills (particularly spelling, syntax and grammar) in your main language and which will involve writing an essay on the basis of information provided.

This test will be marked out of 20 (pass mark: 15).

2.   Oral test — marking

| (c) | An interview with the selection board in your second language (English, French or German), as specified by you on your online registration form (see A.II.2(b)), and in your main language, to enable it to assess:






  — | your suitability to carry out the duties described in A.I, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(c)

An interview with the selection board in your second language (English, French or German), as specified by you on your online registration form (see A.II.2(b)), and in your main language, to enable it to assess:

—

your suitability to carry out the duties described in A.I,

| — | your specialist knowledge in the field concerned, |
| --- | --- |

—

your specialist knowledge in the field concerned,

| — | your knowledge of the European Union and its institutions, |
| --- | --- |

—

your knowledge of the European Union and its institutions,

| — | your ability to adjust to working as a European civil servant in a multicultural environment. |
| --- | --- |

—

your ability to adjust to working as a European civil servant in a multicultural environment.

This test will be marked out of 50 (pass mark: 25)

3.   Date and place of the practical and oral tests

As a rule these tests will be held in Brussels on the same day.

4.   Reserve lists

The selection board will draw up reserve lists by competition, by merit group (maximum four groups) and in alphabetical order within each group, of the candidates (see section A, number of successful candidates) who obtained the highest overall scores in all the practical and oral tests and a pass mark in each.

The reserve lists and their expiry dates will be published (7) in the Official Journal of the European Union and on the EPSO website (8).

7

Official Journal of the European Unio

8

D.   HOW TO APPLY

Please also refer to the Guide for Applicants (3), which can be found on the EPSO website (8). It contains detailed instructions to help you submit your application correctly.

3

8

1.   Creating an EPSO profile/online registration

Before registering, you should carefully check whether you fulfil all the eligibility criteria.

Before registering, you should carefully check whether you fulfil all the eligibility criteria.

If you want to apply, you must register via the Internet by going to the EPSO website (8) and following the instructions there concerning the various stages of the procedure.

8

It is your responsibility to complete your online registration in time. We strongly advise you not to wait until the last few days before applying, since heavy Internet traffic or a problem with the Internet connection could lead to the online registration being terminated before you complete it, thereby obliging you to repeat the whole process. Once the deadline for registration has passed, you will not be able to register.

It is your responsibility

On completion of your online registration, you will receive on screen a registration number which you must note down — this is your reference number that will be used in all matters concerning your application. Receipt of this number means that the registration process is finished; it is confirmation that we have registered the data you entered.

If you do not receive a number, your application has not been registered!

If you do not receive a number, your application has not been registered!

Please note that you must have an e-mail address. This will be used to identify you. The information you have to enter in your registration includes your choice of languages (see A.II.2), and details of the qualifications required for admission to the competition (qualification, name of issuing establishment and date obtained).

You do not need to submit any documents at this stage. You will be asked to send in a full application later (see D.4).

You do not need to submit any documents at this stage. You will be asked to send in a full application later (see D.4).

Once registered, you can use the EPSO website (8) (click on ‘Ongoing competitions’) to follow the progress of the competition.

8

If you have a disability that prevents you from registering online, you may request — preferably by fax — a paper version of the form
   (9)
  , which you should fill in, sign and return by registered mail, postmarked no later than the closing date for registration. All subsequent communication between EPSO and you will be by post.

If you have a disability that prevents you from registering online, you may request — preferably by fax

9

, which you should fill in, sign and return by registered mail, postmarked no later than the closing date for registration. All subsequent communication between EPSO and you will be by post.

You must enclose with your registration form a certificate attesting your disability, issued by a recognised body. You should also set out on a separate sheet of paper any special arrangements you think are needed to make it easier for you to take part in the tests.

You must enclose with your registration form a certificate attesting your disability, issued by a recognised body. You should also set out on a separate sheet of paper any special arrangements you think are needed to make it easier for you to take part in the tests.

The closing date for registration is 7 September 2006. Online registration will not be possible after 12 noon (Brussels time) on that day.

The closing date for registration is 7 September 2006. Online registration will not be possible after 12 noon (Brussels time) on that day.

NB

| (i) | Computerised admission tests organised in specialised centres (CBT)


  Within a period of about one month after the closing date for registration, candidates will receive, via their EPSO profile, information concerning the organisation of the admission tests. |
| --- | --- |

(i)

Computerised admission tests organised in specialised centres (CBT)

Computerised admission tests organised in specialised centres (CBT)

Within a period of about one month after the closing date for registration, candidates will receive, via their EPSO profile, information concerning the organisation of the admission tests.

Within a period of about one month after the closing date for registration,

| (ii) | Admission tests on paper organised simultaneously for all candidates


  Within one month of the closing date for registration, EPSO will ask you to:






  — | confirm your registration, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(ii)

Admission tests on paper organised simultaneously for all candidates

Admission tests on paper organised simultaneously for all candidates

Within one month of the closing date for registration, EPSO will ask you to:

Within one month of the closing date for registration,

—

confirm your registration,

| — | confirm your choice of languages, |
| --- | --- |

—

confirm your choice of languages,

| — | and, where applicable, choose the city in which you wish to sit the admission tests. |
| --- | --- |

—

and, where applicable, choose the city in which you wish to sit the admission tests.

You will receive this request and you should signal your confirmation via your EPSO profile
  only.

via your EPSO profile

only

If you do not confirm within two months of the closing date for registration, EPSO will consider that you have withdrawn your application and the procedure will be terminated.

2.   Admission tests

Candidates who are found to meet the general conditions (see A.II.3) after EPSO has carried out a preliminary eligibility check based on the information given on the registration forms and have confirmed their application in time will be invited to sit the admission tests. An invitation to take part in the tests does not mean that your eligibility has already been checked in detail.

3.   Invitations

Details of when and where you must attend the admission tests and other tests will be available only on the EPSO website (8). You can access your EPSO profile here by entering the user name and password you specified when registering online. You are responsible for updating, via your EPSO profile, any change in your postal or e-mail address.

only

8

You are also responsible for consulting your EPSO profile to keep track of the progress of the competition and to check the information relevant to your application at every stage. If you find that you cannot do this, it is your responsibility to notify EPSO immediately by e-mail (10).

10

If possible, you will be asked to sit the admission tests in the city you choose when you confirm your application. For organisational reasons you will not be able to switch to another venue unless you can prove that you have changed residence and have informed EPSO of this at least three weeks before the date scheduled for the admission tests.

For organisational reasons you will not be able to switch to another venue unless you can prove that you have changed residence and have informed EPSO of this at least three weeks before the date scheduled for the admission tests.

4.   Full application

Candidates who obtained the highest overall scores in the admission tests and a pass mark in each will be asked to print out and complete the full application form in their EPSO profile on the EPSO website (8). This form must be sent in by the closing date (11).

8

11

Documents to enclose with the application form

Your application must give full details of your citizenship and studies. You should also enclose the following documents:

| — | copy of a document proving your citizenship (e.g. your passport, etc.); |
| --- | --- |

—

copy of a document proving your citizenship (e.g. your passport, etc.);

| — | copy of diploma(s) certifying the successful completion of studies; |
| --- | --- |

—

copy of diploma(s) certifying the successful completion of studies;

| — | where applicable, employers' references clearly indicating starting and finishing dates and exact nature of the duties carried out; you will be given more detailed instructions on how to present details of your professional experience in your EPSO profile; |
| --- | --- |

—

where applicable, employers' references clearly indicating starting and finishing dates and exact nature of the duties carried out; you will be given more detailed instructions on how to present details of your professional experience in your EPSO profile;

| — | numbered index of the above documents (all documents must be accompanied by a translation in English, French or German, which you may do yourself). |
| --- | --- |

—

numbered index of the above documents (all documents must be accompanied by a translation in English, French or German, which you may do yourself).

You should send only uncertified photocopies of the above documents. Paper copies downloaded from websites and/or references to websites do not constitute such documents.

You should send only uncertified photocopies of the above documents. Paper copies downloaded from websites and/or references to websites do not constitute such documents.

When completing your application form, you may not refer to any previous applications or other documents enclosed with such applications. None of the documents submitted with your application will be returned.

When completing your application form, you may not refer to any previous applications or other documents enclosed with such applications. None of the documents submitted with your application will be returned.

Signing and sending the form

It is your responsibility to make sure that your application form, duly completed, SIGNED and accompanied by all the supporting documents, is sent in time
   (11)
  (the postmark will serve as proof of the date of sending) by registered post to the following address:

It is your responsibility to make sure that your application form, duly completed, SIGNED and accompanied by all the supporting documents, is sent in time

11

(the postmark will serve as proof of the date of sending) by registered post to the following address:

| European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) |
| --- |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/.../06 (indicate the number of the competition chosen) |
| B-1049 Brussels |

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/.../06 (indicate the number of the competition chosen)

indicate the number of the competition chosen

B-1049 Brussels

Scrutiny of applications

The selection board will examine the files of candidates who obtained the highest overall scores in the admission tests and a pass mark in each to determine whether they satisfy the requirements set out in section A.II.1 and 2 of this notice.

Candidates who satisfy all these requirements for admission (see A. II) will be invited to sit the practical and oral tests.

You will automatically be disqualified if:

You will automatically be disqualified if:

| — | you have posted your application after the closing date (11), |
| --- | --- |

—

you have posted your application after the closing date (11),

11

| — | you have not completed and/or signed the application form (original signature required), |
| --- | --- |

—

you have not completed and/or signed the application form (original signature required),

| — | you do not satisfy the requirements for admission, |
| --- | --- |

—

you do not satisfy the requirements for admission,

| — | you have not sent all the supporting documents before the closing date (11). |
| --- | --- |

—

you have not sent all the supporting documents before the closing date (11).

11

A CURRICULUM VITAE IS NOT A SUPPORTING DOCUMENT.

5.   Reserve lists

The names of the successful candidates (see C.4) will be put on the reserve list.

| 6. | If, at any stage in the procedure, it is established that the information on your online registration form or official application form is incorrect, you will be disqualified from the competition. |
| --- | --- |

6.

If, at any stage in the procedure, it is established that the information on your online registration form or official application form is incorrect, you will be disqualified from the competition.

| 7. | To facilitate the administrative work, you are asked to GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AS PROVIDED ON YOUR APPLICATION AND TO QUOTE THE NUMBER OF THE COMPETITION AND THE REFERENCE NUMBER YOU RECEIVED WHEN YOUR ONLINE REGISTRATION WAS ACCEPTED, IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE. |
| --- | --- |

7.

To facilitate the administrative work, you are asked to GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AS PROVIDED ON YOUR APPLICATION AND TO QUOTE THE NUMBER OF THE COMPETITION AND THE REFERENCE NUMBER YOU RECEIVED WHEN YOUR ONLINE REGISTRATION WAS ACCEPTED, IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE.

GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AS PROVIDED ON YOUR APPLICATION AND TO QUOTE THE NUMBER OF THE COMPETITION AND THE REFERENCE NUMBER YOU RECEIVED WHEN YOUR ONLINE REGISTRATION WAS ACCEPTED, IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE

E.   GENERAL INFORMATION

1.   Equal opportunities

The European Union institutions apply a policy of equal opportunities and accept applications without distinction on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.

2.   Selection board

A selection board is appointed for each competition. It is made up of representatives of the administration and of the institutions' staff committee. The names of its members will be published on the EPSO website (8) approximately two weeks before the admission tests.

8

You are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the members of the selection board, either directly or indirectly. It is up to the selection board to decide whether candidates infringing this rule are to be disqualified.

You are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the members of the selection board, either directly or indirectly. It is up to the selection board to decide whether candidates infringing this rule are to be disqualified.

EPSO is responsible for all communications with candidates until the competition is completed.

3.   Approximate timetable

Depending on the number of candidates and the number of practical and oral tests to be organised, the competition will take approximately nine months from start to finish, beginning on the date of confirmation of registration.

Full details are available on the EPSO website (8).

8

4.   Requests from candidates for access to information concerning them

Candidates involved in selection procedures have a special right of access to certain information concerning them directly and individually, subject to the conditions described below. EPSO may accordingly provide candidates who so request with supplementary information relating to their participation in the competition. Candidates should send any requests for information in writing to EPSO within a month of being notified of their results in the competition. EPSO will reply within a month of receiving the request. Requests will be dealt with in such a manner as to take account of the secret nature of the proceedings of selection boards provided for by the Staff Regulations (Annex III, Article 6) and to conform to the rules on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data. Examples of the type of information which may be supplied are given in the Guide for Applicants (see III.2).

5.   Requests for review — Appeal procedures — Complaints to the European Ombudsman

See Annex.

6.   Recruitment

If you are placed on the reserve list, you will be eligible for appointment as a probationary official, as and when required by the European institutions, in Brussels, Luxembourg or any other place of activity.

If you are placed on the reserve list and offered a post, you will subsequently be asked to produce the originals of all the requisite documents, in particular your qualifications, so that copies can be authenticated.

Recruitment will depend on posts and funds becoming available.

Depending on the nature of the post, candidates on the reserve list may be offered a temporary contract; in this case, their names will remain on the reserve list.

Article 29(1)(b) of the Staff Regulations refers to the possibility for officials to request a transfer to another institution or agency. However, in the interests of the service, during their first three years of service newly recruited officials may be transferred only in exceptional and duly justified cases. Any such transfer is subject to the agreement of both the institution or agency that originally recruited the official and the institution or agency that received the transfer request.

7.   Retirement

You should note that the retirement age for officials is laid down in the Staff Regulations as follows:

| — | either automatically at the age of 65, |
| --- | --- |

—

either automatically at the age of 65,

| — | or, at the official's own request, at the age of 63 or where the official is between 55 and 63 and satisfies the requirements for the immediate payment of a pension, |
| --- | --- |

—

or, at the official's own request, at the age of 63 or where the official is between 55 and 63 and satisfies the requirements for the immediate payment of a pension,

| — | exceptionally, at the official's own request and where it is considered to be in the interest of the service, at not later than the age of 67. |
| --- | --- |

—

exceptionally, at the official's own request and where it is considered to be in the interest of the service, at not later than the age of 67.

8.   Grade

Assistants will be recruited from the reserve list to grade AST1.

9.   Remuneration

Basic monthly salary as at 1 January 2006:

1 January 2006

grade AST1, first step: EUR 2 393,13

AST1

EUR 2 393,13

10.   Protection of personal data

As the body responsible for organising the competition, EPSO will ensure that candidates' personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data (Official Journal of the European Communities
  L  8 of 12 January 2001).

Official Journal of the European Communities

---

(1)  The European Union institutions apply a policy of equal opportunities and accept applications without distinction on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.

1

(2)  No later than 12 noon (Brussels time) on 7 September 2006.

2

No later than

7 September 2006

(3)  http://europa.eu/epso/on-line-applications/guide_en.htm

3

(4)  For practical reasons, this form is available only in English, French and German.

4

(5)  Where several candidates with identical marks qualify for the last place, they will all be admitted to the next stage of the competition.

5

(6)  Details concerning the keyboards to be put at the candidate's disposal will be given at the time of invitation to the practical tests.

6

(7)  Successful candidates may explicitly ask for their names not to be published.

7

(8)  http://europa.eu/epso

8

(9)  Write to EPSO — Info-recruitment, Avenue de Cortenbergh, 80, 4/17, B-1049 Brussels. Fax: (32 2) 295 74 88.

9

(10)  E-mail address: epso-AST-..-06@ec.europa.eu (indicate the number of the competition chosen).

10

indicate the number of the competition chosen

(11)  The closing date will be indicated in good time in your EPSO profile.

11

---

ANNEX

REQUESTS FOR REVIEW — APPEAL PROCEDURES — COMPLAINTS TO THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN

If, at any stage of the competition, you consider that your interests have been prejudiced by a particular decision, you can take the following action:

| — | Request for a review

  Within 20 calendar days of the letter informing you of the decision being posted online, send a letter stating your case to:





  European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) |
| --- | --- |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/../06 (indicate the number of the competition chosen) |
| B-1049 Brussels |

—

Request for a review

Within 20 calendar days of the letter informing you of the decision being posted online, send a letter stating your case to:

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/../06 (indicate the number of the competition chosen)

B-1049 Brussels

EPSO will forward your request to the chair of the selection board where it comes within the board's remit. You will be sent a reply as soon as possible.

| — | Appeal







  — | You can bring a case before:





  European Union Civil Service Tribunal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Boulevard Konrad Adenauer |
| L-2925 Luxembourg |

—

Appeal

—

You can bring a case before:

European Union Civil Service Tribunal

Boulevard Konrad Adenauer

L-2925 Luxembourg

under Article 236 of the EC Treaty and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities;

| — | or you can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities, at the following address:





  European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) |
| --- | --- |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/../06 (indicate the number of the competition chosen) |
| B-1049 Brussels |

—

or you can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities, at the following address:

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/../06 (indicate the number of the competition chosen)

B-1049 Brussels

The time limits for initiating these two types of procedure (see Staff Regulations, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 723/2004 of 22 March 2004 and published in Official Journal of the European Union
  L  124 of 27 April 2004 – http://eur-lex.europa.eu) start to run from the time you are notified of the act allegedly prejudicing your interests.

You should note that the appointing authority does not have the power to amend the decisions of a selection board. The Court has consistently held that the wide discretion enjoyed by selection boards is not subject to review by the Court unless the rules governing their proceedings have clearly been infringed.

| — | Complaints to the European Ombudsman

  Like all citizens of the Union, you can make a complaint to:





  European Ombudsman |
| --- | --- |
| 1 avenue du Président Robert Schuman — BP 403 |
| F-67001 Strasbourg Cedex |

—

Complaints to the European Ombudsman

Like all citizens of the Union, you can make a complaint to:

European Ombudsman

1 avenue du Président Robert Schuman — BP 403

F-67001 Strasbourg Cedex

under Article 195(1) of the EC Treaty and in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Decision of the European Parliament of 9 March 1994 on the Staff Regulations and the general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman's duties, as published in Official Journal of the European Communities
  L  113 of 4 May 1994.

You should note that complaints made to the Ombudsman have no suspensive effect on the period laid down in Articles 90(2) and 91 of the Staff Regulations for lodging appeals with the Civil Service Tribunal under Article 236 of the EC Treaty. Please also note that, under Article 2(4) of the above-mentioned general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman's duties, and complaint lodged with the Ombudsman must be preceded by the appropriate administrative approaches to the bodies concerned.

---