# CA2004317EN.01001801.xml

| 22.12.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CA 317/18 |
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22.12.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 317/18

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NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION EPSO/AST/2/04

NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION EPSO/AST/2/04

(2004/C 317 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)
  (B* 3)
   (2)

ASSISTANTS

1

(B* 3)

2

of Cypriot, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian and Slovenian citizenship, in the fields of European public administration/human resources and financial 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 SOUGHT)

A.

Open competition EPSO/AST/2/04 is being held to recruit assistants (B*3) of Cypriot, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian and Slovenian citizenship, in the fields of European public administration/human resources and financial 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.

Number of successful applicants by citizenship and field:

| | Field 1

  European public administration/human resources | Field 2

  Financial management |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CYPRIOT | 10 | 15 |
| CZECH | 30 | 60 |
| ESTONIAN | 10 | 15 |
| HUNGARIAN | 30 | 60 |
| LATVIAN | 10 | 20 |
| LITHUANIAN | 15 | 30 |
| MALTESE | 10 | 10 |
| POLISH | 90 | 160 |
| SLOVAKIAN | 20 | 35 |
| SLOVENIAN | 10 | 15 |

Field 1

Field 1

European public administration/human resources

Field 2

Field 2

Financial management

CYPRIOT

10

15

CZECH

30

60

ESTONIAN

10

15

HUNGARIAN

30

60

LATVIAN

10

20

LITHUANIAN

15

30

MALTESE

10

10

POLISH

90

160

SLOVAKIAN

20

35

SLOVENIAN

10

15

The European Personnel Selection Office is simultaneously publishing the following open competitions:

| — | EPSO/AD/4/04, administrators (A* 7) of Cypriot, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian and Slovenian citizenship, in the field of European public administration. |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AD/4/04, administrators (A* 7) of Cypriot, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian and Slovenian citizenship, in the field of European public administration.

| — | EPSO/AST/2/04, assistants (B* 3) of Cypriot, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian and Slovenian citizenship, in the fields of European public administration/human resources and financial management. |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AST/2/04, assistants (B* 3) of Cypriot, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian and Slovenian citizenship, in the fields of European public administration/human resources and financial management.

| — | EPSO/AST/3/04, assistants (B* 3) of Cypriot, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian and Slovenian citizenship, in the field of information technology. |
| --- | --- |

—

EPSO/AST/3/04, assistants (B* 3) of Cypriot, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian and Slovenian citizenship, in the field of information technology.

Please note that the tests for the above competitions may be held simultaneously. You may therefore apply for one of these competitions only. You must choose which one when you register on-line, and cannot change it after the closing date for registration.

To ensure that all general texts relating to the competition and all communication between applicants and EPSO are clearly understood on both sides, the competition notices are being published solely in English, French and German. These three languages will also be used for the invitations to the various tests, the preselection tests and correspondence between EPSO and applicants.

The language you choose for the preselection tests will be the language used for communicating with you.

I.   Duties

Field 1 — European public administration/human resources

Reporting to a head of unit or administrator and using various software applications, the official will have a support role in personnel management, especially in the areas of recruitment, career development, training and equal opportunities. These tasks may include duties such as:

| — | managing and following up files relating to personnel management, especially in the areas of recruitment, career development, staff training, equal opportunities and individual and financial rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

managing and following up files relating to personnel management, especially in the areas of recruitment, career development, staff training, equal opportunities and individual and financial rights,

| — | drafting memoranda and/or correspondence, and administrative reports in the fields described above, |
| --- | --- |

—

drafting memoranda and/or correspondence, and administrative reports in the fields described above,

| — | managing and following up technical and administrative files; this may include drafting technical reports, managing contracts signed with outside firms, writing tendering specifications, following up contract implementation and approving the works and following up projects of an administrative and management nature linked to product purchase (equipment, material and goods), |
| --- | --- |

—

managing and following up technical and administrative files; this may include drafting technical reports, managing contracts signed with outside firms, writing tendering specifications, following up contract implementation and approving the works and following up projects of an administrative and management nature linked to product purchase (equipment, material and goods),

| — | managing and monitoring parliamentary bodies, |
| --- | --- |

—

managing and monitoring parliamentary bodies,

| — | preparing, organising and following up meetings, |
| --- | --- |

—

preparing, organising and following up meetings,

| — | coordinating and planning work within the department, |
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—

coordinating and planning work within the department,

| — | project management, |
| --- | --- |

—

project management,

| — | managing a team, |
| --- | --- |

—

managing a team,

| — | analysing and developing working methods. |
| --- | --- |

—

analysing and developing working methods.

These duties require good writing abilities (drafting notes, writing reports, etc.), well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to be a good listener.

Field 2 — Financial management

In the context of various budgetary and financial activities you will be responsible, following detailed instructions and using specific computer tools (accounting software), for carrying out executive tasks such as:

| — | 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,

| — | monitoring financial procedures (commitment, verification of invoices and payments); |
| --- | --- |

—

monitoring financial procedures (commitment, verification of invoices and payments);

| — | monitoring debts, |
| --- | --- |

—

monitoring debts,

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

—

supervising 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.

The European institutions place particular importance on the ability of applicants 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.

II.   Eligibility (profile sought)

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

on the closing date for on-line registration

1.   Certificates and diplomas

1.

You must have

| (i) | a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma relevant to the field chosen, or |
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(i)

a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma relevant to the field chosen, or

| (ii) | a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to higher education, followed by at least three years' full-time professional experience relevant to the field chosen. |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to higher education, followed by at least three years' full-time professional experience relevant to the field chosen.

three years'

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 (see EPSO's website (3)).

3

2.   Professional experience

2.

You must have obtained,

| — | since A.II.1(i), or |
| --- | --- |

—

since A.II.1(i), or

| — | since A.II.1(ii) |
| --- | --- |

—

since A.II.1(ii)

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

five years'

3.   Knowledge of languages

3.

Candidates should possess:

| (a) | main language:
  a thorough knowledge of one of the following official languages of the European Union: Czech, Estonian, Greek, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian or Slovenian
  Exceptionally, Cypriot citizens who do not have Greek as their main language may also choose one of the other official languages listed in A.II.3 (b). |
| --- | --- |

(a)

main language:

main language

a thorough knowledge of one of the following official languages of the European Union: Czech, Estonian, Greek, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovakian or Slovenian

Exceptionally, Cypriot citizens who do not have Greek as their main language may also choose one of the other official languages listed in A.II.3 (b).

| (b) | a second language (which must be different from the main language):
  A satisfactory knowledge of one of the following official languages: Danish, Dutch, English, German, Greek, Finnish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

a second language (which must be different from the main language):

a second language

A satisfactory knowledge of one of the following official languages: Danish, Dutch, English, German, Greek, Finnish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish.

| (c) | language for the preselection tests (which must be different from the main language):
  As the preselection tests (a), (b) and (c) for this competition are organised in English (EN), French (FR) or German (DE) (see section B.1), a satisfactory knowledge of one of these three languages is essential. When registering on line, candidates may:






  — | either maintain the choice of their second language (see section A.II.3.b) if this choice corresponds to one of the three languages (DE/EN/FR) |
| --- | --- | --- |

(c)

language for the preselection tests (which must be different from the main language):

As the preselection tests (a), (b) and (c) for this competition are organised in English (EN), French (FR) or German (DE) (see section B.1), a satisfactory knowledge of one of these three languages is essential. When registering on line, candidates may:

—

either maintain the choice of their second language (see section A.II.3.b) if this choice corresponds to one of the three languages (DE/EN/FR)

| — | or choose another language (see N.B. at section B.2.d) from among the following official languages: Danish, Dutch, English, German, Greek, Finnish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish. |
| --- | --- |

—

or choose another language (see N.B. at section B.2.d) from among the following official languages: Danish, Dutch, English, German, Greek, Finnish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish.

Please give details of which languages you know on the on-line registration for (4).

4

After the closing date for applications, you may not change the languages in which you have specified that you wish to take the tests.

4.   General terms and conditions

4.

You must:

| — | be a citizen of one of the following Member States: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia, |
| --- | --- |

—

be a citizen of one of the following Member States: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia,

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

—

enjoy your full rights as a citizen,

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

—

have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you in your home country 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

B.

1.   Preselection tests — marking

1.

You will sit tests (a), (b), and (c) in English (EN), French (FR) or German (DE) (second language); you must specify which language you choose when you register for the competition.

| (a) | A test comprising a series of multiple-choice questions to assess your specialised knowledge in the field chosen by you at the time of your registration.
  This test will be marked out of 60 (pass-mark: 30). |
| --- | --- |

(a)

A test comprising a series of multiple-choice questions to assess your specialised knowledge in the field chosen by you at the time of your registration.

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

(b)

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

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

| (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). |
| --- | --- |

(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).

Wrong answers in the preselection tests will not be penalised.

2.   Written tests — marking

2.

| (d) | Test on a chosen subject, in the field chosen by you at the time of your registration, to test your:






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

(d)

Test on a chosen subject, in the field chosen by you at the time of your registration, to test your:

—

specialist knowledge,

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

—

comprehension skills and ability to analyse and summarise, and

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

—

drafting skills.

There will be a choice of topics.

Time allowed for the test: two hours (see section B.4).

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

The subjects will be set in the following official languages of the European Union: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish.

You must answer in one of these languages, (second language chosen by you at the time of inscription — see section A.II.3.b):

| — | either English, French or German (second language), as for the preselection tests, |
| --- | --- |

—

either English, French or German (second language), as for the preselection tests,

| — | or another of the official languages listed above but not your main language. |
| --- | --- |

—

or another of the official languages listed above but not your main language.

NB: The objective of this test is not to check if a candidate has knowledge of a third language. The choice of one and the same language or two different languages for the preselection test and written test (d) will have no bearing on the evaluation of candidates.

NB:

| (e) | Short memo in your main language setting out the arguments and conclusions from test (d). This test is designed to assess your command of your main language as regards both the quality of your writing style and presentation.
  Time allowed for the test: 30 minutes.
  This test will be marked out of 10 (pass-mark: 8).
  It will be marked only if you obtain the pass-mark for written test (d). |
| --- | --- |

(e)

Short memo in your main language setting out the arguments and conclusions from test (d). This test is designed to assess your command of your main language as regards both the quality of your writing style and presentation.

Time allowed for the test: 30 minutes.

This test will be marked out of 10 (pass-mark: 8).

It will be marked only if you obtain the pass-mark for written test (d).

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

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

The written tests will be marked only if you meet all of the three following conditions:

| (i) | you have obtained the pass-mark in each of the preselections tests (a), (b) and (c); |
| --- | --- |

(i)

you have obtained the pass-mark in each of the preselections tests (a), (b) and (c);

| (ii) | you are among the ‘X’ best candidates (5) for all these tests; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

you are among the ‘X’ best candidates (5) for all these tests;

5

| (iii) | you meet all the eligibility criteria. |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

you meet all the eligibility criteria.

The number ‘X’ varies depending on citizenship and field:

| | Field 1

  European public administration/human resources | Field 2

  Financial management |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CYPRIOT | 25 | 40 |
| CZECH | 70 | 135 |
| ESTONIAN | 25 | 40 |
| HUNGARIAN | 70 | 135 |
| LATVIAN | 25 | 45 |
| LITHUANIAN | 40 | 70 |
| MALTESE | 25 | 25 |
| POLISH | 205 | 435 |
| SLOVAKIAN | 45 | 85 |
| SLOVENIAN | 25 | 40 |

Field 1

Field 1

European public administration/human resources

Field 2

Field 2

Financial management

CYPRIOT

25

40

CZECH

70

135

ESTONIAN

25

40

HUNGARIAN

70

135

LATVIAN

25

45

LITHUANIAN

40

70

MALTESE

25

25

POLISH

205

435

SLOVAKIAN

45

85

SLOVENIAN

25

40

These applicants will then be asked to submit a full application with a view to their possible admission to the competition. The selection board will mark your written tests (d) and (e) if, after considering your application, it establishes that you meet all the eligibility criteria.

It will then invite to the oral test (f) the X best candidates (5) in written tests (d) and (e) together who have obtained the pass-mark required in each of these tests.

5

each

The number ‘X’ varies depending on citizenship and field:

| | Field 1

  European public administration/human resources | Field 2

  Financial management |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CYPRIOT | 15 | 25 |
| CZECH | 45 | 90 |
| ESTONIAN | 15 | 25 |
| HUNGARIAN | 45 | 90 |
| LATVIAN | 15 | 30 |
| LITHUANIAN | 25 | 45 |
| MALTESE | 15 | 15 |
| POLISH | 135 | 290 |
| SLOVAKIAN | 30 | 55 |
| SLOVENIAN | 15 | 25 |

Field 1

Field 1

European public administration/human resources

Field 2

Field 2

Financial management

CYPRIOT

15

25

CZECH

45

90

ESTONIAN

15

25

HUNGARIAN

45

90

LATVIAN

15

30

LITHUANIAN

25

45

MALTESE

15

15

POLISH

135

290

SLOVAKIAN

30

55

SLOVENIAN

15

25

3.   Oral test — marking

3.

| (f) | Interview with the selection board, in one of the following official languages of the European Union — Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish — at your choice, to enable it to assess your suitability to carry out the duties described at A.I. above. The interview will focus in particular on your specialist knowledge in the field concerned and your knowledge of the main developments in European integration and Community policies. 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 40 (pass-mark: 20). |
| --- | --- |

(f)

Interview with the selection board, in one of the following official languages of the European Union — Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish — at your choice, to enable it to assess your suitability to carry out the duties described at A.I. above. The interview will focus in particular on your specialist knowledge in the field concerned and your knowledge of the main developments in European integration and Community policies. 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 40 (pass-mark: 20).

4.   Date and time allowed for the tests

4.

The preselection tests and the written tests will be held simultaneously for all applicants at one or more centres in the European Union.

The date of the preselection and other tests, and the time allowed for them, will be fixed by the European Personnel Selection Office and cannot be changed at an applicant's request. These details will be notified when you receive your invitation to the tests.

5.   Reserve list

5.

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

5

The reserve lists, together with their expiry dates, 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

C.

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

7

1.   Creating an EPSO profile/on-line registration

1.

Before submitting your application, 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 on-line registration 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 on-line registration being terminated before you complete it, thereby obliging you to repeat the whole process. Once the deadline for the submission of registrations has passed, you will not be able to do so.

It is your responsibility

8

On completion of your on-line registration, you will receive on screen a registration number which you must note — this will be your reference number in all matters concerning 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 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 your registration. The information you must enter in your registration 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 (click on ‘Ongoing competitions’) to follow the progress of the competition.

If you have a disability that prevents you from registering on-line, 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.

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.

The closing date for registration is 3 February 2005. On-line registration will not be possible after 12.00 Brussels time on that day.

NB:
  Within one month following the final date for registration, EPSO will invite you to confirm your application and, where applicable, to choose the city in which you wish to sit the preselection tests.The invitation and confirmation will take place via the EPSO profile only.If you do not confirm your application within two months following the final date for registration, EPSO will consider that you have withdrawn your application, which will be terminated.

NB:

Within one month following the final date for registration, EPSO will invite you to confirm your application and, where applicable, to choose the city in which you wish to sit the preselection tests.

2.   Preselection tests/written tests

2.

The applicants invited to the preselection/written tests 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 application in time.

3.   Invitation to preselection and other tests

3.

Information about the invitation to attend the preselection tests/written tests, 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 any change, via your EPSO profile, 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, it is your responsibility to notify EPSO immediately by e-mail (10).

10

As far as possible you will be asked to sit the preselection tests and the written 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 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.

In principle, the oral test will be held in Brussels.

4.   Full application

4.

The best candidates (5) as referred to in section B.1 (table) 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).

5

7

11

Documents to enclose with the application form

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

| — | a document proving your citizenship; |
| --- | --- |

—

a document proving your citizenship;

| — | diploma(s), together with its (or their) translation in English, French or German, |
| --- | --- |

—

diploma(s), together with its (or their) translation in English, French or German,

| — | evidence of professional experience (with translations in English, French or German) clearly indicating the starting and finishing dates and the exact nature of the duties carried out. |
| --- | --- |

—

evidence of professional experience (with translations in English, French or German) clearly indicating the starting and finishing dates and the exact nature of the duties carried out.

| — | 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.

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:

11

| European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) |
| --- |
| Mail service |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/2/04 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

Mail service

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/2/04

B-1049 Brussels

Scrutiny of applications

The selection board will examine the files of the best candidates in the preselection tests 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 tests of the candidates who meet all the conditions for admission set out in section A.II. and will invite the best candidates (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, |
| --- | --- |

—

you have not completed and/or signed the application form,

| — | 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: If you are successful in the preselection 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), you will not be admitted to the next stage of the competition.

NB:

11

5.   Reserve lists

5.

The best 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.

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 FIELD AND YOUR MAIN LANGUAGE, TOGETHER WITH THE REFERENCE NUMBER YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOUR ON-LINE REGISTRATION IS ACCEPTED. |
| --- | --- |

7.

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 FIELD AND YOUR MAIN LANGUAGE, TOGETHER WITH THE REFERENCE NUMBER YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOUR ON-LINE REGISTRATION IS ACCEPTED.

To facilitate the administration of the competition, in all correspondence you should give your

D.   GENERAL INFORMATION

D.

1.   Equal opportunities

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.

2.   Selection board

2.

A selection board is appointed for each competition. It is made up of members representing both the Administration and the Staff Committee 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 preselection/written tests.

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.

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

3.   Approximate timetable

3.

The competition will take approximately nine months from start (date of confirmation that you are to take part) to finish, depending on the number of applicants.

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

7

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

4.

See Annex.

5.   Recruitment

5.

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.

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

6.

| — | 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.

7.   Grade

7.

Assistants will be recruited from the reserve list at grade B*3.

8.   Remuneration

8.

Basic monthly salary as at 1 May 2004:

1 May 2004

grade B*3, first step: EUR 2 976,76

EUR 2 976,76

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(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)  The Council has adopted new Staff Regulations involving a new career structure. Recruitment will be based on the new Staff Regulations, in accordance with Annex XIII, Section 2, and in particular Article 12 thereof (see http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/personnel_administration/statut/tocen100.pdf).

2

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

3

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

4

(5)  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://europa.eu.int/epso.

7

(8)  No later than midday, Brussels time, on 3 February 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/2/04-en-field1@cec.eu.int or epso-AST/2/04-en-field2@cec.eu.int.

10

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

11

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ANNEX

REQUESTS for APPLICATIONS TO BE RECONSIDERED — 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 of the letter informing you of the decision, setting out the reasons, to:





  European Personnel Selection Office |
| --- | --- |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/2/04 |
| 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 of the letter informing you of the decision, setting out the reasons, to:

European Personnel Selection Office

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/2/04

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.

| — | Appeals:






  — | Either you can bring a case before:





  The Court of First Instance of the European Communities |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Boulevard Konrad Adenauer |
| L-2925 Luxembourg |

—

Appeals:

—

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 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 |
| --- | --- |
| CORT 80 |
| Open competition EPSO/AST/2/04 |
| 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

CORT 80

Open competition EPSO/AST/2/04

B-1049 Brussels

The time limits for initiating these two types of procedure (see Staff Regulations published in
  Official Journal of the European Communities L 56 of 4 March 1968— http://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 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.

| — | Complaint 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 |

—

Complaint 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 Union 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 EC Treaty.

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