# CA2004254EN.01000301.xml

| 14.10.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CA 254/3 |
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14.10.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 254/3

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B-Brussels: call for applications from experts in the field of financial services from a user perspective with a view to the conclusion of a contract for the supply of services in the context of the FIN-USE Forum (forum of users of financial services)

MARKT/2004/19/F

(2004/C 254 A/01)

1.   Introduction

1.

In 2004 the Commission established a forum of financial services users (FIN-USE) in order to secure expert input on the user side into internal market financial services initiatives so that a more active and informed involvement of users could be achieved.

The Forum of experts is currently made up of 12 persons, including a chairman and vice-chairman elected from among the group. In light of the recent enlargement of the EU, the Commission intends to expand FIN-USE by three additional members. This call is open to suitably qualified experts from any part of the EU, although the Commission would in particular welcome applications from experts with experience of ‘user’ financial services in the new Member States. As the Commission is keen to maintain the geographical diversity of the Forum, FIN-USE will be restricted to no more than two experts for each Member State. Prospective candidates are therefore advised to inform themselves of the existing geographical balance by consulting the annexed list of current FIN-USE experts.

The idea of a ‘user's’ forum was first proposed in the Commission's Communication on a Consumer Policy Strategy, and is in line with the White Paper on European Governance, where the Commission committed itself to opening up policy making and making it more inclusive and accountable.

Most recently the Commission Services Report on Implementation and Enforcement of Financial Services Regulation has specifically highlighted the need for ‘a more structured dialogue with financial services' users ... in addition to the early, broad and systematic consultation the Commission has already announced at every stage of the regulatory process’.

The Commission receives much valued input into its policy initiatives from the financial services industry. However, better policymaking for the Internal Market in the field of financial services requires not only input from industry, but also a more structured dialogue with those who use retail financial services (i.e. consumers, including small investors, and SMEs). Until now this has been scarce, as groups of users are not equipped with the necessary resources and/or expertise, especially at the EU level, to cover all the issues.

The Commission invites applications from interested persons who possess the necessary expertise and skills to fulfil the requirements set out in this notice. Persons wishing to apply for selection into the Forum are invited to do so in accordance with the provisions of this notice.

2.   Tasks

2.

2.1.   Tasks of the experts

2.1.

Tasks of the experts

The work of experts will entail:

| — | identification of key financial services issued that affect users in the Internal Market. The range of issues to be discussed should be wide, not limited to current EU initiatives, but covering any issue in the field of financial services that has an impact on users, |
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identification of key financial services issued that affect users in the Internal Market. The range of issues to be discussed should be wide, not limited to current EU initiatives, but covering any issue in the field of financial services that has an impact on users,

| — | commenting at an early stage legislative initiatives in the field of financial services, |
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commenting at an early stage legislative initiatives in the field of financial services,

| — | identifying and proposing to the Commission areas for in-depth research, to be funded through a separate and specific framework contract and carried out by appropriately qualified contractors, selected through an open call for tenders, |
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identifying and proposing to the Commission areas for in-depth research, to be funded through a separate and specific framework contract and carried out by appropriately qualified contractors, selected through an open call for tenders,

| — | analysing the results of this research and formulating appropriate policy recommendations to the Commission, |
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analysing the results of this research and formulating appropriate policy recommendations to the Commission,

| — | producing an annual report on the Forum's activities, including the recommendations it has made over the course of the exercise, addressed to the Commission. |
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producing an annual report on the Forum's activities, including the recommendations it has made over the course of the exercise, addressed to the Commission.

2.2.   Tasks of the Commission

2.2.

Tasks of the Commission

The Commission will provide the secretariat of the Forum. Its tasks will involve:

| — | convening meetings, |
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convening meetings,

| — | preparation of draft agendas, |
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preparation of draft agendas,

| — | arrangement of meeting facilities, |
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arrangement of meeting facilities,

| — | reimbursement of travel expenses, |
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reimbursement of travel expenses,

| — | liaison with contracted experts, |
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liaison with contracted experts,

| — | preparation of the minutes of the meetings, |
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preparation of the minutes of the meetings,

| — | provision of briefings where the Forum's view on Commission initiatives is sought, |
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provision of briefings where the Forum's view on Commission initiatives is sought,

| — | launching the necessary procurement procedures regarding the studies to be carried out in the context of the FIN-USE forum and managing the subsequent contracts. |
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launching the necessary procurement procedures regarding the studies to be carried out in the context of the FIN-USE forum and managing the subsequent contracts.

3.   Expert contracts

3.

3.1.   Expert contracts, to be established for a duration of 12 months, must be signed by the selected applicants. Contracts may be renewed for a further period of 12 months.

3.1.

Expert contracts, to be established for a duration of 12 months, must be signed by the selected applicants. Contracts may be renewed for a further period of 12 months.

3.2.   The selected applicants will be remunerated at a fixed rate of EUR 4 000 per annum, on the basis of the work effectively carried out. Their travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed on the basis of the provisions in force within the Commission.

3.2.

The selected applicants will be remunerated at a fixed rate of EUR 4 000 per annum, on the basis of the work effectively carried out. Their travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed on the basis of the provisions in force within the Commission.

3.3.   Experts will be required to attend and participate actively in between four and six meetings per year in Brussels, and will be expected to carry out the necessary background work — especially with regard to the analysis of studies — outside the meetings.

3.3.

Experts will be required to attend and participate actively in between four and six meetings per year in Brussels, and will be expected to carry out the necessary background work — especially with regard to the analysis of studies — outside the meetings.

3.4.   Throughout the contract period experts must demonstrate the appropriate level of commitment to accomplishing the required tasks.

3.4.

Throughout the contract period experts must demonstrate the appropriate level of commitment to accomplishing the required tasks.

4.   Independence, transparency and confidentiality

4.

The Forum and its members will be expected to express independent opinions to the Commission. On conclusion of their contract, the experts selected will have to sign a declaration that there is no conflict of interests between the work they undertake in the context of the Forum and the posts they occupy. The opinions expressed by the Forum shall in no way prejudice the Commission's right of initiative.

4.1.   Documents and research resulting from the Forum's work will be made available to the public at an early stage.

4.1.

Documents and research resulting from the Forum's work will be made available to the public at an early stage.

4.2.   Experts will be expected to observe the confidentiality of the information and documents brought to their attention during the process.

4.2.

Experts will be expected to observe the confidentiality of the information and documents brought to their attention during the process.

5.   Selection of candidates

5.

5.1.   Applications will be accepted from both natural and legal persons. Applications from legal persons must be on behalf of a natural person. In the event of a successful application, only that natural person who was originally selected by the selection panel will be admitted to the Forum. No substitution of natural persons will be permitted throughout the full duration of the contract, or during possible renewals.

5.1.

Applications will be accepted from both natural and legal persons. Applications from legal persons must be on behalf of a natural person. In the event of a successful application, only that natural person who was originally selected by the selection panel will be admitted to the Forum. No substitution of natural persons will be permitted throughout the full duration of the contract, or during possible renewals.

5.2.   Candidates will be selected on the basis of:

5.2.

Candidates will be selected on the basis of:

| — | their level of expertise in financial services, |
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their level of expertise in financial services,

| — | their experience acquired in a group of consumers or users, or |
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their experience acquired in a group of consumers or users, or

| — | a background in which they have acquired expertise in financial services from a user perspective. |
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a background in which they have acquired expertise in financial services from a user perspective.

5.3.   The composition of the Forum will in addition need to:

5.3.

The composition of the Forum will in addition need to:

| — | appropriately reflect the needs of different users, |
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appropriately reflect the needs of different users,

| — | include expertise on a range of financial services, from a range of user organisations, |
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include expertise on a range of financial services, from a range of user organisations,

| — | reflect a wide geographical coverage, in particular in view of the recent expansion of the EU, and |
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reflect a wide geographical coverage, in particular in view of the recent expansion of the EU, and

| — | include at least two members who are qualified experts from academic circles. |
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include at least two members who are qualified experts from academic circles.

5.4.   Selection panel

5.4.

Selection panel

The Commission will set up a selection panel to assess candidates on the basis of the above criteria. The panel will consist of officials from across the Commission services.

5.5.   Minimum requirements

5.5.

Minimum requirements

In order for applications to be considered, the proposed expert must:

| — | have a university degree or equivalent background, |
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have a university degree or equivalent background,

| — | provide evidence of demonstrable experience of the financial services sector, commensurate with at least five years experience, |
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provide evidence of demonstrable experience of the financial services sector, commensurate with at least five years experience,

| — | provide evidence of professional experience working with user-related (i.e. SMEs or consumers) issues, |
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provide evidence of professional experience working with user-related (i.e. SMEs or consumers) issues,

| — | have the ability to work and communicate in English. |
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have the ability to work and communicate in English.

The specific legal and financial requirements are listed in the application form.

5.6.   Additional requirements taken into consideration

5.6.

Additional requirements taken into consideration

In addition to these eligibility criteria, the following criteria for evaluation of the candidatures will be taken into consideration:

| — | duration and quality of experience in the field of user-related financial services, |
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duration and quality of experience in the field of user-related financial services,

| — | any proven academic background in the form of research, studies or papers, |
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any proven academic background in the form of research, studies or papers,

| — | expertise in (a) specific field(s) of financial services (e.g. specific experience in insurance, banking, securities, etc.). |
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expertise in (a) specific field(s) of financial services (e.g. specific experience in insurance, banking, securities, etc.).

6.   Applications must be submitted in accordance with the procedures set out below

6.

6.1.   Application form

6.1.

Application form

The application form includes a model curriculum vitae. The application form is available from the following address:

| Commission of the European Communities |
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| Internal Market DG — Budget |
| C107, 8/55 |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Fax (32-2) 299 30 88 |
| E-mail: ec-intmarket-contracts@cec.eu.int |
| URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/internal_market/calls.htm |

Commission of the European Communities

Internal Market DG — Budget

C107, 8/55

B-1049 Brussels

Fax (32-2) 299 30 88

E-mail: ec-intmarket-contracts@cec.eu.int

URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/internal_market/calls.htm

6.2.    Applications will be sent in a sealed envelope contained in a second sealed envelope. The inside envelope containing all the documents will bear, in addition to the name of the corresponding department as specified in paragraph 6.2(a), the remark:

6.2.

Applications will be sent in a sealed envelope contained in a second sealed envelope. The inside envelope containing all the documents will bear, in addition to the name of the corresponding department as specified in paragraph 6.2(a), the remark:

Call for experts FIN-USE (MARKT/2004/17/F)

Call for experts FIN-USE (MARKT/2004/17/F)

Not to be opened by the Mail Department

Not to be opened by the Mail Department

Self-adhesive envelopes, which can be opened and re-closed without trace, are not to be used for this purpose. If self-adhesive envelopes are used, they will be closed with adhesive tape and will have the tenderer's signature written on it.

Applications must be submitted according to the following indications, at the choice of the tenderer

| (a) | either by REGISTERED MAIL, posted at the latest on 30 November 2004, the postmark being taken as a proof, to the address:





  European Commission |
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| Internal Market DG - Budget |
| C107, 8/55 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

(a)

either by REGISTERED MAIL, posted at the latest on 30 November 2004, the postmark being taken as a proof, to the address:

30 November 2004

European Commission

Internal Market DG - Budget

C107, 8/55

B-1049 Brussels

| (b) | or by deposit (directly, or by any representative of the applicant, including courier SERVICES) to the address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Internal Market DG - Budget |
| C107, 8/55 |
| Rue de Genève/Genèvestraat, 1 |
| B-1140 Brussels (Evere) |

(b)

or by deposit (directly, or by any representative of the applicant, including courier SERVICES) to the address:

European Commission

Internal Market DG - Budget

C107, 8/55

Rue de Genève/Genèvestraat, 1

B-1140 Brussels (Evere)

at the latest on 30 November 2004
  at 16.00. In this case, the deposit of the application will be established by means of a dated receipt, signed by an official of the central mail reception service of the Commission to whom the documents were given. This service is open from 8.00 from Monday to Friday; it is closed on Saturday, Sunday and Commission public holidays.

30 November 2004

at 16.00

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ANNEX

List of current FIN-USE experts

| Name | Nationality |
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| Professor Riccardo de Lisa | Italian |
| Professor Robin Jarvis | British |
| Mr Benoît Jolivet | French |
| Mr Peter Knutsson | Swedish |
| Professor Udo Reifner | German |
| Mr Max Reuter | Austrian |
| Mr Paul Salvidge | British |
| Mr Risto Suominen | Finnish |
| Professor Leo Verhoef | Dutch |
| Mr Donal Walshe | Irish |
| Mr Manfred Westphal | German |
| Professor Fernando Zunzunegui Pastor | Spanish |

Name

Nationality

Professor Riccardo de Lisa

Italian

Professor Robin Jarvis

British

Mr Benoît Jolivet

French

Mr Peter Knutsson

Swedish

Professor Udo Reifner

German

Mr Max Reuter

Austrian

Mr Paul Salvidge

British

Mr Risto Suominen

Finnish

Professor Leo Verhoef

Dutch

Mr Donal Walshe

Irish

Mr Manfred Westphal

German

Professor Fernando Zunzunegui Pastor

Spanish

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