# CA2018177EN.01000101.xml

| 24.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CA 177/1 |
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VACANCY NOTICE No AD/T/15/18

concerning one post of Secretary-General (M/F) in the Secretariat of the European Economic and Social Committee

(Publication under Article 2(a) and Article 8 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union)

(2018/C 177 A/01)

Closing date for applications: 25 June 2018 at 12.00 noon (Brussels time)

Vacant post: Special career bracket — grade AD 16, third step

1.   Who we are

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body of the European Union established in 1958 and currently composed of 350 members representing three groups: the Employers' Group, the Workers' Group and the Diversity Europe Group. It is the voice of organised civil society in Europe.

The EESC contributes to strengthening the democratic legitimacy and effectiveness of the European Union by enabling civil society organisations from the Member States to express their views at European level. The Committee fulfils the following key missions:

| — | helping to ensure that European policies and legislation tie in better with economic, social and civic circumstances on the ground, by assisting the European Parliament, Council and European Commission, making use of EESC members' experience and representativeness, dialogue and efforts to secure a consensus that serves the general interest; |
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| — | promoting the development of a more participatory European Union that is more in touch with public opinion; |
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| — | issuing opinions and information reports across the entire spectrum of issues affecting the people of Europe. Most of them are based on referrals by the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament. Others are own-initiative opinions and information reports, or exploratory opinions generally requested by the country holding the EU Presidency; |
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| — | promoting the values on which European integration is founded and advancing, in Europe and across the world, the cause of participatory democracy, as well as the role of civil society organisations. |
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The EESC secretariat employs approximately 700 staff and manages a budget of around EUR 135 million.

For further information, please go to the EESC's website: http://www.eesc.europa.eu

2.   Duties

The secretary-general (M/F) manages the Secretariat of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). These duties are performed under the authority of the Bureau of the EESC and entail in particular:

| — | assisting the members in their work by ensuring that decisions taken by the EESC assembly and its bodies under the terms of the EESC Rules of Procedure are prepared and implemented efficiently and effectively; |
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| — | assisting the president in preparing and running meetings of the Bureau and the plenary assembly; |
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| — | assisting the president as required in representing the EESC's interests vis-à-vis the other European institutions and bodies and internationally; |
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| — | submitting to the bureau the organisational structure of the Secretariat that enables the Bureau to ensure that the EESC and its internal bodies operate smoothly and transparently and help the members to carry out their duties; |
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| — | leading and supervising all administrative entities which make up the Secretariat, as well as all matters related to staff; |
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| — | establishing and maintaining relations with other institutions and bodies of the European Union and in particular ensuring the smooth running of the services shared jointly with the European Committee of the Regions under the inter-institutional cooperation agreement; |
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| — | exercising the powers granted by the Staff Regulations of the European Union in accordance with Rule 72 of the EESC Rules of Procedure; |
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| — | using the powers delegated to him/her to carry out operations connected with the implementation of the EESC budget, in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulation, the Staff Regulations and the EESC Rules of Procedure. |
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3.   Eligibility

On the closing date for applications, candidates must meet the conditions set out below:

| (a) | General conditions
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be a national of one of the European Union (EU) Member States and enjoy full rights as a citizen (prior to appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record); —
have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by the laws on military service; —
provide character references appropriate to the performance of the duties concerned. Candidates' attention is drawn to the restrictions imposed by the Staff Regulations of Officials of the EU concerning outside activities, elected office and conflicts of interest; —
meet the physical fitness conditions required for the performance of the duties involved (prior to appointment, the successful candidate will be examined at one of the EU institutions' medical centres in order to confirm that the candidate meets the statutory requirements); —
be below retirement age, which is, for temporary agents of the EU, set at the end of the month in which the age of 66 is reached. | — | be a national of one of the European Union (EU) Member States and enjoy full rights as a citizen (prior to appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record); | — | have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by the laws on military service; | — | provide character references appropriate to the performance of the duties concerned. Candidates' attention is drawn to the restrictions imposed by the Staff Regulations of Officials of the EU concerning outside activities, elected office and conflicts of interest; | — | meet the physical fitness conditions required for the performance of the duties involved (prior to appointment, the successful candidate will be examined at one of the EU institutions' medical centres in order to confirm that the candidate meets the statutory requirements); | — | be below retirement age, which is, for temporary agents of the EU, set at the end of the month in which the age of 66 is reached. |
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| — | be a national of one of the European Union (EU) Member States and enjoy full rights as a citizen (prior to appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record); | | | | | | | | | | |
| — | have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by the laws on military service; | | | | | | | | | | |
| — | provide character references appropriate to the performance of the duties concerned. Candidates' attention is drawn to the restrictions imposed by the Staff Regulations of Officials of the EU concerning outside activities, elected office and conflicts of interest; | | | | | | | | | | |
| — | meet the physical fitness conditions required for the performance of the duties involved (prior to appointment, the successful candidate will be examined at one of the EU institutions' medical centres in order to confirm that the candidate meets the statutory requirements); | | | | | | | | | | |
| — | be below retirement age, which is, for temporary agents of the EU, set at the end of the month in which the age of 66 is reached. | | | | | | | | | | |

| (b) | Special conditions
(i)
Qualifications and skills required
Candidates must have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma officially recognised in one of the European Union Member States in a field relevant to the duties described under point 2:
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of at least four years' duration, when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or
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of at least three years' duration followed by one year's professional experience in a field relevant to the job description, when the normal period of university education is three years or more. This year of experience will not be taken into account when evaluating the professional experience stipulated under point 3(b)(ii). (ii)
Professional experience required
After gaining the qualifications set out under 3(b)(i), candidates must have acquired at least 15 years' full time equivalent postgraduate level professional experience, including at least 5 years of professional experience in a senior management position. (iii)
Knowledge of languages
Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union (EU) and satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the EU. For operational reasons, a good (minimum B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) knowledge of English or French, both oral and written, is required.
Candidates are informed that the language options in this vacancy notice have been defined in the interests of the service, which require the new secretary-general to be immediately operational and capable of communicating effectively in his/her daily work, otherwise the efficient functioning of the institution could be severely impaired. It has long been the practice to use mainly English and French for internal communication in the EESC and these are also the languages most often needed when communicating with external stakeholders. | (i) | Qualifications and skills required
Candidates must have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma officially recognised in one of the European Union Member States in a field relevant to the duties described under point 2:
—
of at least four years' duration, when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or
—
of at least three years' duration followed by one year's professional experience in a field relevant to the job description, when the normal period of university education is three years or more. This year of experience will not be taken into account when evaluating the professional experience stipulated under point 3(b)(ii). | — | of at least four years' duration, when the normal period of university education is four years or more, | — | of at least three years' duration followed by one year's professional experience in a field relevant to the job description, when the normal period of university education is three years or more. This year of experience will not be taken into account when evaluating the professional experience stipulated under point 3(b)(ii). | (ii) | Professional experience required
After gaining the qualifications set out under 3(b)(i), candidates must have acquired at least 15 years' full time equivalent postgraduate level professional experience, including at least 5 years of professional experience in a senior management position. | (iii) | Knowledge of languages
Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union (EU) and satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the EU. For operational reasons, a good (minimum B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) knowledge of English or French, both oral and written, is required.
Candidates are informed that the language options in this vacancy notice have been defined in the interests of the service, which require the new secretary-general to be immediately operational and capable of communicating effectively in his/her daily work, otherwise the efficient functioning of the institution could be severely impaired. It has long been the practice to use mainly English and French for internal communication in the EESC and these are also the languages most often needed when communicating with external stakeholders. |
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| (i) | Qualifications and skills required
Candidates must have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma officially recognised in one of the European Union Member States in a field relevant to the duties described under point 2:
—
of at least four years' duration, when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or
—
of at least three years' duration followed by one year's professional experience in a field relevant to the job description, when the normal period of university education is three years or more. This year of experience will not be taken into account when evaluating the professional experience stipulated under point 3(b)(ii). | — | of at least four years' duration, when the normal period of university education is four years or more, | — | of at least three years' duration followed by one year's professional experience in a field relevant to the job description, when the normal period of university education is three years or more. This year of experience will not be taken into account when evaluating the professional experience stipulated under point 3(b)(ii). | | | | | | |
| — | of at least four years' duration, when the normal period of university education is four years or more, | | | | | | | | | | |
| — | of at least three years' duration followed by one year's professional experience in a field relevant to the job description, when the normal period of university education is three years or more. This year of experience will not be taken into account when evaluating the professional experience stipulated under point 3(b)(ii). | | | | | | | | | | |
| (ii) | Professional experience required
After gaining the qualifications set out under 3(b)(i), candidates must have acquired at least 15 years' full time equivalent postgraduate level professional experience, including at least 5 years of professional experience in a senior management position. | | | | | | | | | | |
| (iii) | Knowledge of languages
Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union (EU) and satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the EU. For operational reasons, a good (minimum B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) knowledge of English or French, both oral and written, is required.
Candidates are informed that the language options in this vacancy notice have been defined in the interests of the service, which require the new secretary-general to be immediately operational and capable of communicating effectively in his/her daily work, otherwise the efficient functioning of the institution could be severely impaired. It has long been the practice to use mainly English and French for internal communication in the EESC and these are also the languages most often needed when communicating with external stakeholders. | | | | | | | | | | |

4.   Selection criteria

If the eligibility criteria set out in point 3 (Eligibility) (a) and (b) are met, candidates' applications, including CV and cover letter, will be assessed on the basis of the selection criteria set out below:

| — | Knowledge, experience and contacts with civil society organisations( 1 ); |
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| — | Thorough knowledge of the EESC's working environment and functioning, and of the policies of the European Union; |
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| — | Good knowledge of financial management, control and supervision of the budget, and EU budgetary and administrative procedures; |
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| — | Ability to represent the EESC vis-à-vis its counterparts with the EU institutions and public authorities; |
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| — | Excellent negotiation, communication and networking skills; |
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| — | Capacity to anticipate and to tackle problems, risks and opportunities inherent to the management of a multicultural secretariat in a changing inter-institutional context; |
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| — | Capacity to develop and implement long term strategies on major operational, legal, administrative and financial questions including management of buildings; |
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| — | Ability to define and communicate clear objectives and promote accountability and to report on the results achieved; |
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| — | Proven ability to lead and motivate staff; |
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| — | Capacity to deliver results, with a view to providing high quality services to the stakeholders; |
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| — | Proven ability to develop new and innovative ideas and provide transformative leadership; |
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| — | Good understanding of and ability to promote modern IT strategies and processes; |
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| — | Strong integrity and respect for ethical rules; |
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| — | Good knowledge of both English and French would be an asset; |
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| — | Knowledge of other EU languages. |
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5.   Selection procedure

The EESC believes in diversity and strongly favours balanced representation of genders, of all Member State nationalities and of all the official languages of the European Union. It has an equal opportunities policy that precludes any discrimination based on gender, disability, race, political or religious views or sexual orientation.

5.1   Admission to the selection procedure

A list will be drawn up of candidates who have submitted a complete application by the closing date and who meet the general conditions set out in point 3(a). This list will be forwarded to the chair of the screening panel with the applications.

The screening panel will examine the applications and draw up a list of candidates who meet the specific conditions set out in point 3(b). It will base its decision solely on the information given in the application form and substantiated by the supporting documents enclosed with it.

Candidates who do not fulfil the conditions listed in point 3(a) and (b) will be not be deemed eligible. They will be informed accordingly.

5.2   Assessment of qualifications

On the basis of criteria laid down in advance, the screening panel will assess eligible candidates' qualifications with a view to drawing up a list of the candidates whose profiles most closely match the description of duties set out in point 2. To do this, the screening panel will first assign each selection criterion a weighting that reflects its relative importance. The points will be added up to identify those candidates whose profiles best match the duties to be performed.

The screening panel will base its decision on the information given by the candidate in the application form (qualifications and professional experience), Curriculum Vitae (CV) and cover letter.

Eligibility (general and specific conditions) and selection criteria must be met by the deadline for submitting applications. To facilitate examination of the applications, candidates should highlight in their cover letter their motivation and the aspects of their CV which they find most relevant for the duties involved.

The screening panel may limit the number of short-listed candidates going through to the next stage to those who obtain the highest number of total points in the assessment of their qualifications.

The candidates who are not short-listed will be informed.

5.3   Interview and test

Candidates who have successfully completed the previous stage will be invited for an interview in order to be assessed and compared on the basis of their qualifications, professional experience, abilities and knowledge, as set out above. The screening panel may decide to invite candidates to undergo a written test, in addition to the interview.

The interview (and test, if any) will be conducted in English and/or in French; they may also be assessed in any other languages they have put down on their application form.

Interviews are expected to be held at the EESC's Brussels offices in September 2018.

A limited number of candidates who, after the interview phase (and written test, if any), are deemed to best meet the requirements of the post will be invited for assessment at an assessment centre. They will be informed of the programme and methodology in good time and will be able to indicate their preferred language (English or French). The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate their managerial skills (managing tasks, people and information, and personal and interpersonal management). The result of the assessment will be non-binding and is intended to provide the screening panel with additional input for the selection procedure.

5.4   List of suitable candidates

To complete the procedure, the screening panel will draw up a list of suitable candidates and present it to the EESC Bureau acting as appointing authority for final decision.

6.   Summary of recruitment conditions

We offer a temporary contract under Article 2(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union for a period of 5 years. The contract will be subject to a probationary period of nine months. The contract may be renewed, for a single period of no longer than 5 years.

The temporary agent will be recruited at grade AD 16 step 3.

For the sake of independence, the chosen candidate shall have been released from all previously held posts by no later than the date on which he/she starts to work in the post. If the person is an official or other servant of the European Union, he/she will be bound either to resign from his/her current post, or to obtain leave on personal grounds.

For further information on working conditions, please refer to the Staff Regulations of the European Union: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF

The place of employment is Brussels.

7.   Applications

Applicants for this post must complete the online application form (http://cdweb.eesc.europa.eu/cn/ae77k/SG-EESC) and attach the following documents in English or French:

| — | cover letter; |
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| — | Curriculum Vitae based on the Europass model (http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae/templates-instructions); |
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| — | copies of identity card or passport; |
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| — | copies of university or post-graduate degree certificates; |
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| — | copies of attestations of employment, clearly indicating the nature and duration of the relevant activity; |
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| — | unless clearly indicated on university degree certificates, proof of knowledge of languages in the form of certificates or, failing that, a detailed explanation of how the knowledge was acquired; |
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| — | for EU officials, an official document attesting career progression and current grade. |
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Incomplete applications will not be deemed valid and will not be examined.

The successful candidate will at a later date be required to produce originals of all the requisite documents.

Copies of supporting documents in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by a summary in one of those two languages.

The closing date for the submission of applications is 25 June 2018 at 12.00 noon (Brussels time). The EESC will disregard any applications received after this date and time. Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last day to submit their applications, since heavy internet traffic or a faulty internet connection could lead to difficulties in sending in the application. The EESC cannot be held responsible for any delay due to such difficulties.

Candidates with a disability or specific needs which are such that they might cause difficulties during the procedure may state that fact on the application form and provide any relevant information so that the administration can take appropriate measures, where possible. If applicable, candidates are invited to enclose with their application form a separate sheet giving details of any arrangements which they consider necessary to assist them.

8.   Observations

If, at any stage in the procedure, it is established that the information provided in the candidate's application cannot be backed up by supporting documents or that the candidate does not meet all of the conditions set out in this vacancy notice, the application will be declared null and void.

Applicants must not under any circumstances try to contact the members of the screening panel, directly or indirectly. The appointing authority reserves the right to exclude candidates who do so.

The EESC is committed to protecting the environment.

In accordance with Article 7(3) of 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( 2 ), the recipient will process personal data only for the purposes for which they were transmitted.

9.   Requests for review — complaints

Regardless of their right to lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) or to submit an appeal to the General Court of the European Union under Article 91 of the Staff Regulations, candidates may request an internal review of any decision of the screening panel that directly and immediately affects their status in the selection procedure on grounds of non-compliance with the rules governing the procedure as laid down by the vacancy notice. The request must be made by e-mail (selection2018-SG-CES@eesc.europa.eu) within 10 calendar days of the date on which the candidate is notified of the decision by e-mail. It must indicate the decision and the grounds on which the request is based.

The screening panel will take a decision and a reasoned reply will be sent to the candidate in due course.

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( 1 )  Pursuant to Article 300 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, ‘the Economic and Social Committee shall consist of representatives of organisations of employers, of the employed, and of other parties representative of civil society, notably in socioeconomic, civic, professional and cultural areas’.

( 2 )  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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