# CA2005178EN.01002201.xml

| 20.7.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CA 178/22 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.7.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 178/22

---

NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION EPSO/AST/7/05

NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION EPSO/AST/7/05

(2005/C 178 A/02)

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising the following open competition, based on tests, to constitute a reserve pool from which to recruit

ASSISTANTS
   (1)
  (AST3)

ASSISTANTS

1

(AST3)

in the fields of

in the fields of

| 1. | Financial management/accountancy |
| --- | --- |

1.

Financial management/accountancy

Financial management/accountancy

| 2. | Project/contract management |
| --- | --- |

2.

Project/contract management

Project/contract management

CONTENTS

| A. | DUTIES AND ELIGIBILITY (PROFILE OF APPLICANTS) |
| --- | --- |

A.

| B. | SUCCESSIVE STAGES OF THE COMPETITION |
| --- | --- |

B.

| C. | HOW TO APPLY |
| --- | --- |

C.

| D. | GENERAL INFORMATION |
| --- | --- |

D.

| ANNEX: | Requests for review — appeal procedures — complaints to the European Ombudsman |
| --- | --- |

ANNEX:

A.   DUTIES AND ELIGIBILITY (PROFILE OF APPLICANTS)

DUTIES AND ELIGIBILITY (PROFILE OF APPLICANTS)

Open competition EPSO/AST/7/05 is being held to recruit assistants (AST3) in the following fields:

Field 1 — Financial management/accountancy (reserve list of 200 successful candidates)

Field 1 — Financial management/accountancy

Field 2 — Project/contract management (reserve list of 110 successful candidates)

Field 2 — Project/contract management

The purpose of this competition is to draw up reserve lists from which to fill vacant posts in the Institutions of the European Union.

| — | EPSO/AD/25/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of European public administration/Human resources |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AD/25/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of European public administration/Human resources

| — | EPSO/AD/26/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of law |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AD/26/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of law

| — | EPSO/AD/27/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of audit |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AD/27/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of audit

| — | EPSO/AD/28/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of financial resource management |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AD/28/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of financial resource management

| — | EPSO/AD/29/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of economics/Statistics |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AD/29/05 — administrators (AD5) in the field of economics/Statistics

| — | EPSO/AST/7/05 — assistants (AST3) in the fields of financial management/accountancy and project/contract management |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AST/7/05 — assistants (AST3) in the fields of financial management/accountancy and project/contract management

Please note that the tests for the above competitions may be held simultaneously. You may therefore apply for one of these competitions and, where applicable, for one field only. You must choose which one when you register online, and cannot change your choice after the closing date for inscription.

Please note that the tests for the above competitions may be held simultaneously. You may therefore apply for one of these competitions and, where applicable, for one field only. You must choose which one when you register online, and cannot change your choice after the closing date for inscription.

I.   NATURE OF DUTIES

The duties mainly involve:

Field 1: Financial management/accountancy

Field 1: Financial management/accountancy

| — | assisting with the operation of accounting and financial systems, |
| --- | --- |

—

assisting with the operation of accounting and financial systems,

| — | organising and keeping accounts and accounting systems, |
| --- | --- |

—

organising and keeping accounts and accounting systems,

| — | assisting with the closure of accounts and presentation of financial statements, |
| --- | --- |

—

assisting with the closure of accounts and presentation of financial statements,

| — | managing cash flow and reconciling bank records, |
| --- | --- |

—

managing cash flow and reconciling bank records,

| — | managing imprest accounts, |
| --- | --- |

—

managing imprest accounts,

| — | drawing up and checking documents in respect of commitments and expenditure and their conformity with regulations, manuals and instructions, |
| --- | --- |

—

drawing up and checking documents in respect of commitments and expenditure and their conformity with regulations, manuals and instructions,

| — | settling invoices, |
| --- | --- |

—

settling invoices,

| — | monitoring claims, |
| --- | --- |

—

monitoring claims,

| — | monitoring accounting methods and the financial management of revenue, |
| --- | --- |

—

monitoring accounting methods and the financial management of revenue,

| — | assisting with the preparation of budget estimates and annual accounts. |
| --- | --- |

—

assisting with the preparation of budget estimates and annual accounts.

Field 2: Project/contract management

Field 2: Project/contract management

| — | drafting/verifying contracts on the basis of existing models and manuals, |
| --- | --- |

—

drafting/verifying contracts on the basis of existing models and manuals,

| — | preparing/verifying proposals/invitations to call for tenders/call for expressions of interest, with a view to concluding contracts and agreements relating to grants, |
| --- | --- |

—

preparing/verifying proposals/invitations to call for tenders/call for expressions of interest, with a view to concluding contracts and agreements relating to grants,

| — | participating in evaluation committees for monitoring selection procedures and the allocation of proposals, |
| --- | --- |

—

participating in evaluation committees for monitoring selection procedures and the allocation of proposals,

| — | administrative and financial monitoring of contracts (commitment, payment, closure), |
| --- | --- |

—

administrative and financial monitoring of contracts (commitment, payment, closure),

| — | drawing up the terms of reference for contracts and agreements, |
| --- | --- |

—

drawing up the terms of reference for contracts and agreements,

| — | drafting/verifying addenda/riders to contracts, |
| --- | --- |

—

drafting/verifying addenda/riders to contracts,

| — | giving advice on contractual, tender and/or financial issues, |
| --- | --- |

—

giving advice on contractual, tender and/or financial issues,

| — | making budget analyses for tenders for service contracts, |
| --- | --- |

—

making budget analyses for tenders for service contracts,

| — | assisting operational units (including delegations), |
| --- | --- |

—

assisting operational units (including delegations),

| — | managing cooperation projects. |
| --- | --- |

—

managing cooperation projects.

The European Institutions place particular importance on the ability of candidates to grasp problems of all kinds, often complex in nature, to react rapidly to changing circumstances and to communicate effectively. You will have to show initiative and imagination and be highly motivated. You should be able to work frequently under pressure, both on your own and in a team, and to adjust to a multicultural working environment. You must be prepared to develop your professional skills throughout your career.

The European Institutions place particular importance on the ability of candidates to grasp problems of all kinds, often complex in nature, to react rapidly to changing circumstances and to communicate effectively. You will have to show initiative and imagination and be highly motivated. You should be able to work frequently under pressure, both on your own and in a team, and to adjust to a multicultural working environment. You must be prepared to develop your professional skills throughout your career.

Please note that the successful candidates for field 2 (Project/Contract management of this open competition may have the possibility to take up functions in a Delegation of the European Commission in a third country.)

Please note that the successful candidates for field 2 (Project/Contract management of this open competition may have the possibility to take up functions in a Delegation of the European Commission in a third country.)

II.   ELIGIBILITY (PROFILE SOUGHT)

You may apply for this competition if, on the closing date for online inscription (see section C), you meet the following requirements:

on the closing date for online inscription

1.   Certificates and diplomas

Certificates and diplomas

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

(i)

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

or

| (ii) | a level of secondary education or secondary vocational education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education followed by at least three years full-time professional experience relevant to those duties. |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

a level of secondary education or secondary vocational education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education followed by at least three years full-time professional experience relevant to those duties.

The selection board will allow for differences between education systems. As a general guide, see the examples of the minimum qualifications required in the tables annexed to the Guide for Applicants (2) (see EPSO's website) for each category. Note that these are examples only — more stringent requirements may be set in any given notice of competition.

2

2.   Professional experience

Professional experience

| — | the requirements stipulated at A.II.1(i), |
| --- | --- |

—

the requirements stipulated at A.II.1(i),

or

| — | the requirements stipulated at A.II.1(ii), |
| --- | --- |

—

the requirements stipulated at A.II.1(ii),

| — | acquired at least five years' full-time professional experience relevant to the duties concerned. |
| --- | --- |

—

acquired at least five years' full-time professional experience relevant to the duties concerned.

3.   Knowledge of languages

   (3)

Knowledge of languages

(3

| (a) | a thorough knowledge of one of the following official languages of the European Union (main language): Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

a thorough knowledge of one of the following official languages of the European Union (main language): Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish;

and

| (b) | a satisfactory knowledge of a second of these languages. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

a satisfactory knowledge of a second of these languages.

You must state in the online inscription form
   (4)
  and in the paper application which languages you choose for each of the different tests. After the deadline for confirmation of your inscription, you may not change the languages in which you have specified that you wish to take the tests (see C.1).

You must state in the online inscription form
   (4

All EPSO's communications to candidates concerning these competitions will be in English, French or German. However, you may address EPSO in one of the languages listed at A.II.3(a).

4.   General terms and conditions

General terms and conditions

You must:

| — | be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union |
| --- | --- |

—

be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union

| — | enjoy your full rights as a citizen |
| --- | --- |

—

enjoy your 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.   SUCCESSIVE STAGES OF THE COMPETITION

SUCCESSIVE STAGES OF THE COMPETITION

1.   Preselection tests — marking

Preselection tests — marking

You will sit tests (a), (b) and (c) in your second language, (see section A point II. 3) as specified by you on the online inscription form.

| (a) | A test comprising a series of multiple-choice questions to assess your specialist knowledge in your chosen field.
  This test will be marked out of 60 (pass-mark: 30). |
| --- | --- |

(a)

A test comprising a series of multiple-choice questions to assess your specialist knowledge in your chosen field.

This test will be marked out of 60 (pass-mark: 30).

| (b) | A test comprising a series of multiple-choice questions to assess your knowledge of the European Union, its Institutions and its policies.
  This test will be marked out of 20 (pass-mark: 10).
  (Time allowed for tests (a) and (b) together: 1 hour and 10 minutes) |
| --- | --- |

(b)

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

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

(Time allowed for tests (a) and (b) together: 1 hour and 10 minutes)

| (c) | A test comprising a series of multiple-choice questions to assess your general ability, in particular your verbal and numerical reasoning skills.
  This test will be marked out of 40 (pass-mark: 20).
  (Time allowed: 1 hour) |
| --- | --- |

(c)

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

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

(Time allowed: 1 hour)

Wrong answers in the preselection tests will not be penalised.

For all the preselection tests the candidates (5) (see table below) who obtain the best marks by field as well as the pass-mark in each of these tests will be invited to submit a full application with a view to being admitted to the competition.

5

| Financial management/Accountancy | Project/Contract management |
| --- | --- |
| 450 | 250 |

Financial management/Accountancy

Financial management/Accountancy

Project/Contract management

Project/Contract management

450

250

NOTE: for organisational reasons, written test (d) will be held on the same day as preselection tests (a), (b) and (c).

NOTE:

The selection board will mark your written test (d) if, after considering your application, it establishes that you meet all the eligibility criteria.

The fact that you have been invited to sit written test (d) at the same time as preselection tests (a), (b) and (c) does not mean you have been admitted to the competition.

2.   Written test - marking

Written test - marking

| (d) | Test in your main language on a subject related to your chosen field, to assess your:





  — | specialist knowledge, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(d)

—

specialist knowledge,

| — | comprehension skills and ability to analyse and summarise, and |
| --- | --- |

—

comprehension skills and ability to analyse and summarise, and

| — | drafting skills. |
| --- | --- |

—

drafting skills.

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

(Time allowed: 2 hours and 30 minutes)

The selection board will invite to oral test (e) the candidates (5) (see table below) who obtain the best marks by field as well as the pass-mark in the written test (d) and who meet the conditions for admission to the competition.

5

| Financial management/Accountancy | Project/Contract management |
| --- | --- |
| 300 | 165 |

Financial management/Accountancy

Financial management/Accountancy

Project/Contract management

Project/Contract management

300

165

3.   Oral test - marking

Oral test - marking

| (e) | Interview with the selection board in your main language to enable it to assess your suitability to carry out the duties described at section A.I. above. This interview will focus in particular on your specialist knowledge in the field chosen, and your knowledge of the European Union, its Institutions and its policies. Knowledge of your second language will also be tested. The interview is also designed to evaluate 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). |
| --- | --- |

(e)

Interview with the selection board in your main language to enable it to assess your suitability to carry out the duties described at section A.I. above. This interview will focus in particular on your specialist knowledge in the field chosen, and your knowledge of the European Union, its Institutions and its policies. Knowledge of your second language will also be tested. The interview is also designed to evaluate 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).

4.   Date for the tests

Date for the tests

The pre-selection tests and the written test will be held simultaneously for all candidates at one or more centres in the European Union.

The date of the pre-selection and other tests, will be scheduled by the European Personnel Selection Office and cannot be changed at a candidate's request. These details will be notified when you receive your invitation to the tests (via your EPSO profile).

For organisational reasons, and depending on the number of candidates, preselection tests (a), (b) and (c) may take place via computer, in specialised testing centres.Should this be the case, the exact nature of this procedure will be laid out either in an addendum to the Official Journal or as a modification to the notice of open competition. Similarly, the organisation of one or more of the pre-selection tests may be modified.

For organisational reasons, and depending on the number of candidates, preselection tests (a), (b) and (c) may take place via computer, in specialised testing centres.Should this be the case, the exact nature of this procedure will be laid out either in an addendum to the Official Journal or as a modification to the notice of open competition. Similarly, the organisation of one or more of the pre-selection tests may be modified.

5.   Reserve lists

Reserve lists

The selection board will draw up two reserve lists, divided into (no more than four) merit groups sorted in alphabetical order, of the candidates (5) (see section A, number of successful candidates) in each field, having obtained the best marks in written test (d) and oral test (e) combined and who have obtained the pass-mark in each of these tests.

5

The reserve lists, together with their expiry date, will be published (6) in the Official Journal of the European Union and on the EPSO website (7).

6

Official Journal of the European Union

7

C.   HOW TO APPLY

HOW TO APPLY

Please refer also to the Guide for Applicants (2), which can be found on the EPSO website (7). Here you can find detailed instructions to help you submit your application correctly.

2

7

1.   Creation of an EPSO profile/electronic inscription

Creation of an EPSO profile/electronic inscription

Before submitting your inscription, you should carefully check whether you meet all the eligibility criteria (see section A, particularly concerning the types of diploma and professional experience required).

Before submitting your inscription, you should carefully check whether you meet all the eligibility criteria (see section A, particularly concerning the types of diploma and professional experience required).

If you want to apply, you must register via the internet by going to the EPSO website (7) and following the instructions there concerning the various stages of the procedure.

7

It is your responsibility to complete your online inscription in time (8). We strongly advise you not to wait until the last few days before applying, since heavy internet traffic or a fault with your internet connection could lead to the online inscription being terminated before you complete it, thereby obliging you to repeat the whole process, and once the deadline has passed you will not be able to do so.

It is your responsibility

8

On completion of your online inscription, you will receive on screen a number which you must note — this will be your reference number for your application. Once you receive this number, the process is finished - it is the confirmation that we have registered the data you entered.

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

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

Please note that you must have an e-mail address. This will be used to identify you. The information you must enter includes the languages you choose (see A.II.3), the details of your qualifications (title, name of issuing establishment and date obtained) and your professional experience.

Once registered, you can use the website (7) (click on ‘Ongoing competitions’) to follow the progress of the competition.

7

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 inscription. 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

You must enclose with your application 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 application 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 inscriptions is 29 September 2005. Online inscription will not be possible after 12.00 noon Brussels time on that day.

The closing date for inscriptions is 29 September 2005. Online inscription will not be possible after 12.00 noon Brussels time on that day.

NB:
  Within one month following the final date for inscription, EPSO will invite you to confirm your inscription and your choice of language and, where applicable, to choose the city in which you wish to sit the pre-selection tests/written test.
  The invitation and confirmation will take place solely via your EPSO profile.
  If you do not confirm your application within two months following the final date for inscription, EPSO will consider that you have withdrawn your application. Your application will therefore be terminated.

NB:

Within one month following the final date for inscription, EPSO will invite you to confirm your inscription and your choice of language and, where applicable, to choose the city in which you wish to sit the pre-selection tests/written test.

The invitation and confirmation will take place solely

If you do not confirm your application within two months following the final date for inscription, EPSO will consider that you have withdrawn your application. Your application will therefore be terminated.

2.   Pre-selection tests/written test

Pre-selection tests/written test

The candidates invited to the pre-selection tests/written test will be those who are found to meet the general terms and conditions (see A.II.4) after EPSO has carried out a preliminary eligibility check based on the information given in the registration forms, and who have confirmed their inscription in time. Please note that an invitation to attend the preselection tests does not imply that the eligibility of the candidate has been fully checked.

3.   Invitations

Invitations

Information about the invitation to attend the pre-selection tests/written test, the full application form and the invitation to the oral test will be available only on the EPSO website (7). You can access it using the user name and password you specify when registering. You are responsible for updating, via your EPSO profile, any change in your postal or e-mail address.

only

7

You are responsible for keeping track of the progress of the competition, ensuring that for each stage you can access the information relevant to your application by consulting your EPSO profile. If you find that you cannot do this, you must notify EPSO immediately by e-mail (10).

10

As far as possible you will be asked to sit the pre-selection tests and the written test in the city you choose when you apply. 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 no later than three weeks before the planned date of the preselection tests/written 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 no later than three weeks before the planned date of the preselection tests/written tests.

The oral test will normally be held in Brussels.

4.   Full application

Full application

The candidates as referred to in section B.1 will be asked to print and complete the full application form which they will find in their EPSO profile on the website (7). It must be sent in by the closing date (11).

7

11

Documents to enclose with the application form

Documents to enclose with the application form

| — | a document proving your citizenship (e.g. passport) |
| --- | --- |

—

a document proving your citizenship (e.g. passport)

| — | diploma(s) |
| --- | --- |

—

diploma(s)

| — | evidence of professional experience clearly indicating the starting and finishing dates and the exact nature of the duties carried out; more precise instructions on how to present your professional experience will be sent to you via your EPSO profile |
| --- | --- |

—

evidence of professional experience clearly indicating the starting and finishing dates and the exact nature of the duties carried out; more precise instructions on how to present your professional experience will be sent to you via your EPSO profile

| — | a numbered annex of the above documents. |
| --- | --- |

—

a numbered annex of the above documents.

You should send only unauthenticated photocopies of these documents.

You should send only unauthenticated photocopies of these documents.

You must fill in the application form in full, i.e. you may not simply refer to any previous application forms submitted or to any other documents enclosed with such applications. None of the documents submitted with your application will be returned.

You must fill in the application form in full, i.e. you may not simply refer to any previous application forms submitted or to any other documents enclosed with such applications. None of the documents submitted with your application will be returned.

Signing and sending the form

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)
  by registered post (the postmark will serve as proof of the date of sending) 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

| European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) |
| --- |
| Mail service |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/7/05 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

Mail service

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/7/05

B-1049 Brussels

Scrutiny of applications

Scrutiny of applications

The selection board will examine the files of the candidates who have obtained the best marks in the preselection tests and who have obtained the pass mark in each of the tests to determine whether they meet the conditions laid down in section A.II.1, 2 and 3 of this notice. The selection board will then mark the written test of the candidates who meet all the conditions for admission set out in section A.II. and will invite the candidates who have obtained the best marks and the pass-mark in the written test (see B.2) to the oral test.

You will automatically be disqualified if:

You will automatically be disqualified if:

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

—

you have posted your application after the closing date,

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

—

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

| — | you do not meet all the eligibility criteria, |
| --- | --- |

—

you do not meet all the eligibility criteria,

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

—

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

NB:
  Candidates who are successful in the pre-selection tests but fail to return the full application form duly completed and signed and accompanied by the requisite supporting documents within the time limit specified (11) will not be admitted to the next stage of the competition.

NB:

11

5.   Establishment of the reserve lists

Establishment of the reserve lists

The names of successful candidates (see B.5) will be included in the reserve lists.

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

| 7. | To facilitate the administration of the competition, in all correspondence you SHOULD GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AS IN YOUR APPLICATION, THE NUMBER OF THE COMPETITION, THE CHOSEN FIELD AND YOUR MAIN LANGUAGE TOGETHER WITH THE REFERENCE NUMBER YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU APPLY ONLINE. |
| --- | --- |

7.

To facilitate the administration of the competition, in all correspondence you SHOULD GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AS IN YOUR APPLICATION, THE NUMBER OF THE COMPETITION, THE CHOSEN FIELD AND YOUR MAIN LANGUAGE TOGETHER WITH THE REFERENCE NUMBER YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU APPLY ONLINE.

SHOULD GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AS IN YOUR APPLICATION, THE NUMBER OF THE COMPETITION, THE CHOSEN FIELD AND YOUR MAIN LANGUAGE TOGETHER WITH THE REFERENCE NUMBER YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU APPLY ONLINE

D.   GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.   Equal opportunities

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 characteristics, language, religious, political or other convictions or opinions, belonging to a national minority, financial situation, birth, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or family situation.

2.   Selection board

Selection board

A selection board is appointed for each competition. It is made up of members representing both the Administrations and the Staff Committees of the Institutions. The names of the members of the selection board will be published on the EPSO website (7) approximately a fortnight before the pre-selection tests/written test.

7

You are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the members of the selection board, either directly or indirectly. Any infringement of this rule will lead to you being disqualified from the competition.

You are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the members of the selection board, either directly or indirectly. Any infringement of this rule will lead to you being disqualified from the competition.

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is responsible for all communication with candidates until the competition is completed.

3.   Approximate timetable

Approximate timetable

The competition will take approximately nine months starting from the date of confirmation of inscription, depending on the number of candidates.

Full details will be available on the EPSO website (7).

7

4.   Candidates' requests for information regarding their applications

Candidates' requests for information regarding their applications

The candidates' right to have access to information concerning their applications within the context of selection procedures is recognised under the conditions indicated hereafter. The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) may provide a candidate, on his/her request, with extra information concerning the candidate's participation in an open competition. The requests for information should be addressed in writing to EPSO within one month following notification of the results obtained in the competition. EPSO will reply within one month following receipt of the request. All requests will be dealt with whilst respecting the secret nature of the proceedings of the Selection Boards as provided for by the Staff Regulations (Annex III, Article 6) and in accordance with existing rules surrounding data protection in the treatment of private information on individuals. Examples of such answers to requests are laid out in the ‘Guide to Applicants’ at point III.2.

5.   Requests for review — appeal procedures — complaints to the European Ombudsman

Requests for review — appeal procedures — complaints to the European Ombudsman

See Annex.

6.   Recruitment

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 offered a post, you will be asked to produce the originals of all the requisite documents such as diplomas, so that copies can be authenticated.

Recruitment will depend on vacant posts and funds becoming available.

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

7.   Pension

Pension

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

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

—

either automatically at the age of 65 years,

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

—

or, at the official's own request, at the age of 63 years or where the official is between 55 and 63 years of age and satisfies, as specified in the Staff Regulations, the requirements for 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 the age of 67 at the latest. |
| --- | --- |

—

exceptionally, at the official's own request and where it is considered to be in the interest of the service, at the age of 67 at the latest.

8.   Grade

Grade

This reserve pool of Assistants is for the grade AST3.

9.   Remuneration

Remuneration

Basic monthly salary as at 1 January 2005:

1 January 2005

grade AST3, first step: EUR 2 997,60

EUR 2 997,60

---

(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 characteristics, language, religious, political or other convictions or opinions, belonging to a national minority, financial situation, birth, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or family situation.

1

(2)  http://www.europa.eu.int/epso/on-line-applications/guide_en.htm

2

(3)  Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 401/2004 states that ‘until 31 December 2010, general competitions shall also be held for the recruitment of officials having one of the existing 11 languages as their main language’.

3

‘until 31 December 2010, general competitions shall also be held for the recruitment of officials having one of the existing 11 languages as their main language

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

4

(5)  Given that the appointing authority (AIPN) has given mandate to the Selection Board to strictly keep to this number of candidates the Selection Board may not exceed this number. However, if a number of candidates have obtained the same number of marks for the last place, the selection board will admit all of them.

5

(6)  A successful candidate may explicitly request that his/her name not be published.

6

(7)  http://www.europa.eu.int/epso

7

(8)  No later than 12.00 noon, Brussels time, on 29 September 2005.

8

(9)  EPSO, Info-recruitment, CORT 80 0/48, B-1049 Brussels. Fax (32-2) 295 74 88.

9

(10)  E-mail address: epso-AST-7-05-en@cec.eu.int

10

(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:

| — | Request that your application be reconsidered:
  You can request that your application be reconsidered by sending a letter within 20 days of the date of dispatch online of the letter informing you of the decision, setting out the reasons, to:





  European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) |
| --- | --- |
| Mail Service |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/7/05 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

—

Request that your application be reconsidered:

You can request that your application be reconsidered by sending a letter within 20 days of the date of dispatch online of the letter informing you of the decision, setting out the reasons, to:

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

Mail Service

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/7/05

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:






  — | Either you can bring a case before:





  The Court of First Instance of the European Communities |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Boulevard Konrad Adenauer |
| L-2925 Luxembourg |
| under Article 236 of the Treaty establishing the European Community and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities, |

—

Appeal:

—

Either you can bring a case before:

The Court of First Instance of the European Communities

Boulevard Konrad Adenauer

L-2925 Luxembourg

under Article 236 of the Treaty establishing the European Community 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) |
| --- | --- |
| Mail Service |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/7/05 |
| 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)

Mail Service

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/7/05

B-1049 Brussels

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

Please note that the appointing authority (AIPN) 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 rules which govern the proceedings of selection boards have clearly been infringed.

| — | Complain to the European Ombudsman:
  You can, like all citizens of the European Union, make a complaint to the





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

—

Complain to the European Ombudsman:

You can, like all citizens of the European Union, make a complaint to the

European Ombudsman

1 Avenue du Président Robert Schuman - BP 403

F-67001 Strasbourg Cedex

under Article 195(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Community 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, published in
  the Official Journal of the European Communities L  113 of 4 May 1994.

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, respectively, a complaint or an appeal with the Court of First Instance under Article 236 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

---