# CA2010341EN.01000101.xml

| 16.12.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CA 341/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

16.12.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 341/1

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NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION EPSO/AST/112/10 — ASSISTANTS (AST 3)

(2010/C 341 A/01)

Are you interested in working for the European institutions?

Are you interested in working for the European institutions?

Does your profile meet our criteria?

Does your profile meet our criteria?

Why not apply?

Why not apply?

Give yourself a chance to succeed.

Give yourself a chance to succeed.

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising a test-based open competition to establish a reserve pool from which to recruit assistants (1).

1

EPSO/AST/112/10 — ASSISTANTS (AST 3)

EPSO/AST/112/10 — ASSISTANTS (AST 3)

in the following fields:

in the following fields:

| 1. | STATISTICS |
| --- | --- |

1.

STATISTICS

STATISTICS

| 2. | FINANCE/ACCOUNTING |
| --- | --- |

2.

FINANCE/ACCOUNTING

FINANCE/ACCOUNTING

| 3. | HUMAN RESOURCES |
| --- | --- |

3.

HUMAN RESOURCES

HUMAN RESOURCES

| 4. | INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) |
| --- | --- |

4.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

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

Before applying, you should carefully read the guide published in
  Official Journal of the European Union C 184 A of 8 July 2010

  and on the EPSO website.

Before applying, you should carefully read the guide published in

C 184 A of 8 July 2010

and on the EPSO website.

This guide is an integral part of the competition notice and will help you to understand the rules governing the procedure and how to apply.

This guide is an integral part of the competition notice and will help you to understand the rules governing the procedure and how to apply.

CONTENTS

| I. | GENERAL BACKGROUND |
| --- | --- |

I.

GENERAL BACKGROUND

GENERAL BACKGROUND

| II. | DUTIES |
| --- | --- |

II.

DUTIES

DUTIES

| III. | ELIGIBILITY |
| --- | --- |

III.

ELIGIBILITY

ELIGIBILITY

| IV. | ADMISSION TESTS |
| --- | --- |

IV.

ADMISSION TESTS

ADMISSION TESTS

| V. | OPEN COMPETITION AND ASSESSMENT TESTS |
| --- | --- |

V.

OPEN COMPETITION AND ASSESSMENT TESTS

OPEN COMPETITION AND ASSESSMENT TESTS

| VI. | RESERVE LISTS |
| --- | --- |

VI.

RESERVE LISTS

RESERVE LISTS

| VII. | HOW TO APPLY |
| --- | --- |

VII.

HOW TO APPLY

HOW TO APPLY

I.   GENERAL BACKGROUND

| 1. | Number of successful candidates by field |
| --- | --- |

1.

Number of successful candidates by field

Field 1 = 34

Field 1 = 34

Field 2 = 57

Field 2 = 57

Field 3 = 36

Field 3 = 36

Field 4 = 67

Field 4 = 67

| 2. | Remarks |
| --- | --- |

2.

Remarks

You may not apply for more than one of these fields.

You must make your choice when you apply online and you will not be able to change it after you have confirmed and validated your online application form.

II.   DUTIES

There is a detailed description of the various fields in the Annex.

The general profile of candidates sought by the institutions is described in point 1.2 of the guide to open competitions.

III.   ELIGIBILITY

, you must fulfil all the following general and specific conditions:

| 1. | General conditions |
| --- | --- |

1.

General conditions

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

—

You must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union.

| — | You must enjoy your full rights as a citizen. |
| --- | --- |

—

You must enjoy your full rights as a citizen.

| — | You must have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws on military service. |
| --- | --- |

—

You must have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws on military service.

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

—

You must meet the character requirements for the duties involved.

| 2. | Specific conditions |
| --- | --- |

2.

Specific conditions

2.1

Qualification: see Annex

Qualification:

2.2

Professional experience: see Annex

Professional experience:

2.3

Knowledge of languages

Knowledge of languages

The official languages of the European Union are:

The official languages of the European Union are:

BG (Bulgarian)

CS (Czech)

DA (Danish)

DE (German)

EL (Greek)

EN (English)

ES (Spanish)

ET (Estonian)

FI (Finnish)

FR (French)

GA (Irish)

HU (Hungarian)

IT (Italian)

LT (Lithuanian)

LV (Latvian)

MT (Maltese)

NL (Dutch)

PL (Polish)

PT (Portuguese)

RO (Romanian)

SK (Slovak)

SL (Slovenian)

SV (Swedish)

| (a) | Language 1 |
| --- | --- |

(a)

Language 1

Main language:

Main language:

a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union.

and

| (b) | Language 2 |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Language 2

Second language (must be different from language 1):

Second language (must be different from language 1):

a satisfactory knowledge of English, French or German.

IV.   ADMISSION TESTS

| 1. | You will be invited to sit the tests: |
| --- | --- |

1.

You will be invited to sit the tests:

, you have declared that you fulfil the general and specific conditions listed in Section III.

, you have declared that you fulfil the general and specific conditions listed in Section III.

| 2. | Nature and marking of tests |
| --- | --- |

2.

Nature and marking of tests

A series of tests comprising multiple-choice questions to assess your general ability as regards:

A series of tests comprising multiple-choice questions to assess your general ability as regards:

Test (a)

Verbal reasoning

Verbal reasoning

Marking: 0-20

Marking: 0-20

Pass mark: 10

Pass mark: 10

Test (b)

Numerical reasoning

Numerical reasoning

Marking: 0-10

Marking: 0-10

Test (c)

Abstract reasoning

Abstract reasoning

Marking: 0-10

Marking: 0-10

The aggregate pass mark for tests (b) and (c) is 10.

The aggregate pass mark for tests (b) and (c) is 10.

Test (d)

Professional skills:

Professional skills:

accuracy and precision

accuracy and precision

Marking: 0-20

Marking: 0-20

Pass mark: 10

Pass mark: 10

Test (e)

Professional skills:

Professional skills:

prioritising and organising

prioritising and organising

Marking: 0-20

Marking: 0-20

Pass mark: 10

Pass mark: 10

Test (f)

Situational judgment test

Situational judgment test

The assessment of this test will be passed on to the selection board only as expert technical input for its decision-making process for candidates who are admitted to the assessment tests.

The assessment of this test will be passed on to the selection board

as expert technical input for its decision-making process

.

| 3. | Language of the tests |
| --- | --- |

3.

Language of the tests

Language 1 for tests (a), (b) and (c)

Language 1 for tests (a), (b) and (c)

Language 2 for tests (d), (e) and (f)

Language 2 for tests (d), (e) and (f)

V.   OPEN COMPETITION AND ASSESSMENT TESTS

| 1. | You will be admitted* to the assessment tests |
| --- | --- |

1.

You will be admitted* to the assessment tests

if you obtain one of the highest total marks
   (2)
   (3)
  in the admission tests, with a pass mark in all of them and if, in the light of the information given in your online application, you fulfil the general and specific conditions listed in Section III.

if you obtain one of the highest total marks

2

3

in the admission tests, with a pass mark in all of them and

, you fulfil the general and specific conditions listed in Section III.

*Admission will be confirmed subject to subsequent verification of the supporting documents enclosed with your full application. Supporting documents will be verified for candidates who satisfy the eligibility conditions and who have obtained the highest aggregate marks in the assessment tests, in descending order, until the number of successful candidates sought in the notice of competition and who meet the eligibility conditions is reached.

Admission will be confirmed subject to subsequent verification of the supporting documents enclosed with your full application. Supporting documents will be verified for candidates who satisfy the eligibility conditions and who have obtained the highest aggregate marks in the assessment tests, in descending order, until the number of successful candidates sought in the notice of competition and who meet the eligibility conditions is reached.

The files of candidates below this threshold will not be examined.

The files of candidates below this threshold will not be examined.

| 2. | Assessment tests: |
| --- | --- |

2.

Assessment tests:

You will be invited to sit the one-day or one-and-a-half-day assessment tests, normally in Brussels. You will be assessed on your specific competencies in the field you have chosen and the following general competencies:

You will be invited to sit the one-day or one-and-a-half-day assessment tests, normally in Brussels. You will be assessed on your specific competencies in the field you have chosen and the following general competencies:

| — | analysis and problem solving, |
| --- | --- |

—

analysis and problem solving,

| — | communicating, |
| --- | --- |

—

communicating,

| — | delivering quality and results, |
| --- | --- |

—

delivering quality and results,

| — | learning and development, |
| --- | --- |

—

learning and development,

| — | prioritising and organising, |
| --- | --- |

—

prioritising and organising,

| — | resilience, |
| --- | --- |

—

resilience,

| — | working with others. |
| --- | --- |

—

working with others.

More information on these competencies can be found in point 1.2 of the guide to open competitions.

More information on these competencies can be found in point 1.2 of the guide to open competitions.

These competencies will be tested by means of:

These competencies will be tested by means of:

| (a) | a structured interview; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

(a)

a structured interview;

a structured interview;

| (b) | an in-tray exercise; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

(b)

an in-tray exercise;

an in-tray exercise;

| (c) | a case study in the chosen field. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

(c)

a case study in the chosen field.

a case study in the chosen field.

| 3. | Languages for the assessment tests |
| --- | --- |

3.

Languages for the assessment tests

Language 2

Language 2

| 4. | Marking |
| --- | --- |

4.

Marking

Specific competencies in the chosen field

| | Marking: 0-30 |
| --- | --- |

Marking: 0-30

Marking: 0-30

| | Pass mark: 15 |
| --- | --- |

Pass mark: 15

Pass mark: 15

General competencies

Each general competency will be marked out of 10.

Each general competency will be marked out of 10.

Pass mark:

Pass mark:

| | 3 for each competency and |
| --- | --- |

3 for each competency and

3 for each competency

| | an aggregate of 40 out of 70 for all 7 general competencies. |
| --- | --- |

an aggregate of 40 out of 70 for all 7 general competencies.

an aggregate of 40 out of 70 for all 7 general competencies.

VI.   RESERVE LISTS

| 1. | Candidates placed on the reserve lists |
| --- | --- |

1.

Candidates placed on the reserve lists

The selection board will place you on the reserve list if you have obtained the pass marks and one of the highest aggregate marks
   (4)
  in the assessment tests (see number of successful candidates, Section I.1) and your supporting documents show that you meet all the eligibility requirements.

The selection board will place you on the reserve list if you have obtained the pass marks and one of the highest aggregate marks

4

in the assessment tests (see number of successful candidates, Section I.1) and

that you meet all the eligibility requirements.

| 2. | Classification |
| --- | --- |

2.

Classification

The lists will be drawn up by field and by merit group (maximum of four groups) and names will be listed in alphabetical order within each group.

The lists will be drawn up by field and by merit group (maximum of four groups) and names will be listed in alphabetical order within each group.

VII.   HOW TO APPLY

| 1. | Online application |
| --- | --- |

1.

Online application

You must apply online following the instructions on the EPSO website.

You must apply online following the instructions on the EPSO website.

Closing date: 25 January 2011 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time.

, Brussels time.

| 2. | Submission of application files |
| --- | --- |

2.

Submission of application files

If you are one of the candidates admitted to the assessment tests, you will be asked at a later stage to submit a full application file (signed online application form and supporting documents).

If you are one of the candidates admitted to the assessment tests, you will be asked

to submit a full application file (signed online application form and supporting documents).

Deadline: You will be informed of the closing date via your EPSO account.

You will be informed of the closing date via your EPSO account.

Procedure: See point 2.2 of the guide to open competitions.

: See point 2.2 of the guide to open competitions.

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(1)  Any reference in this notice to a person of the male sex must be deemed also to constitute a reference to a person of the female sex.

1

(2)  Where a number of candidates tie for the last available place, they will all be invited to the assessment tests.

2

(3)  The number of candidates admitted to the assessment tests will be approximately 2,5 times the number of successful candidates indicated in the competition notice and will be published on EPSO's website (www.eu-careers.eu).

3

(4)  Where a number of candidates tie for the last available place, they will all be placed on the reserve list.

4

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ANNEX

1.   STATISTICS

1.   Nature of duties

The assistants sought will work in one or more of the following areas:

| — | cooperation in the European Statistical System, |
| --- | --- |

—

cooperation in the European Statistical System,

| — | quality, methodology and information systems, |
| --- | --- |

—

quality, methodology and information systems,

| — | national and European accounts, |
| --- | --- |

—

national and European accounts,

| — | external cooperation and key indicators, |
| --- | --- |

—

external cooperation and key indicators,

| — | sectoral and regional statistics, |
| --- | --- |

—

sectoral and regional statistics,

| — | social and information society statistics, |
| --- | --- |

—

social and information society statistics,

| — | business statistics, |
| --- | --- |

—

business statistics,

| — | analyses of public opinion. |
| --- | --- |

—

analyses of public opinion.

The essential tasks will be:

Statistical methods

| — | Testing, validating and monitoring the quality of statistical methods, |
| --- | --- |

—

Testing, validating and monitoring the quality of statistical methods,

| — | developing statistical indicators, |
| --- | --- |

—

developing statistical indicators,

| — | creating and maintaining inventories of methodologies, |
| --- | --- |

—

creating and maintaining inventories of methodologies,

| — | creating and using statistical databases, |
| --- | --- |

—

creating and using statistical databases,

| — | helping to develop and/or implement classification systems and nomenclatures, |
| --- | --- |

—

helping to develop and/or implement classification systems and nomenclatures,

| — | preparing questionnaires for surveys. |
| --- | --- |

—

preparing questionnaires for surveys.

Management and processing of statistical data

| — | Locating, validating and formatting statistical data, |
| --- | --- |

—

Locating, validating and formatting statistical data,

| — | calculating derived data and making estimates and statistical projections, |
| --- | --- |

—

calculating derived data and making estimates and statistical projections,

| — | analysing statistical data, |
| --- | --- |

—

analysing statistical data,

| — | collecting and transmitting data, |
| --- | --- |

—

collecting and transmitting data,

| — | compiling data for dissemination, |
| --- | --- |

—

compiling data for dissemination,

| — | socio-demographic and political analysis of survey results, |
| --- | --- |

—

socio-demographic and political analysis of survey results,

| — | putting statistical data, Eurostat data and data from international organisations into perspective. |
| --- | --- |

—

putting statistical data, Eurostat data and data from international organisations into perspective.

Statistical regulation and coordination

| — | Maintaining contacts and exchanging information within and between the institutions of the European Union as regards the regulation, harmonisation and coordination of statistical methods and procedures, |
| --- | --- |

—

Maintaining contacts and exchanging information within and between the institutions of the European Union as regards the regulation, harmonisation and coordination of statistical methods and procedures,

| — | maintaining contacts and exchanging information with bodies in the Member States and associated countries and with international organisations and committees dealing with the regulation, harmonisation and coordination of statistical methods and procedures, |
| --- | --- |

—

maintaining contacts and exchanging information with bodies in the Member States and associated countries and with international organisations and committees dealing with the regulation, harmonisation and coordination of statistical methods and procedures,

| — | helping candidate countries and acceding countries to develop their statistical activities. Exchanging information and monitoring compliance with the ‘acquis communautaire’ as regards statistics, |
| --- | --- |

—

helping candidate countries and acceding countries to develop their statistical activities. Exchanging information and monitoring compliance with the ‘acquis communautaire’ as regards statistics,

| — | helping to organise, prepare and draft documents and servicing committees, working parties and other meetings with public and private institutions, professional bodies and other relevant organisations in the field of statistics, |
| --- | --- |

—

helping to organise, prepare and draft documents and servicing committees, working parties and other meetings with public and private institutions, professional bodies and other relevant organisations in the field of statistics,

| — | helping to draft legislation, contributing to negotiations with the Member States, the Council and the European Parliament, and ensuring conformity of implementation, |
| --- | --- |

—

helping to draft legislation, contributing to negotiations with the Member States, the Council and the European Parliament, and ensuring conformity of implementation,

| — | organising the monitoring of trends in national public opinion. |
| --- | --- |

—

organising the monitoring of trends in national public opinion.

Advice, analysis and dissemination of statistical information

| — | Drafting and interpreting statistical data and presenting the data in appropriate graphic form for dissemination and insertion in economic reports, |
| --- | --- |

—

Drafting and interpreting statistical data and presenting the data in appropriate graphic form for dissemination and insertion in economic reports,

| — | handling requests for information on statistical questions, |
| --- | --- |

—

handling requests for information on statistical questions,

| — | giving presentations at meetings and conferences/conducting courses, |
| --- | --- |

—

giving presentations at meetings and conferences/conducting courses,

| — | preparing memoranda presenting results and surveys (for the political authorities and the web). |
| --- | --- |

—

preparing memoranda presenting results and surveys (for the political authorities and the web).

These duties call for adaptability in cross-cutting areas of work and good communication and drafting skills.

2.   Qualifications

Post-secondary education attested by a diploma relevant to the nature of the duties

OR

a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 3 years' professional experience relevant to the nature of the duties.

NB: The minimum of 3 years' professional experience required counts as an integral part of the qualification and cannot be counted towards the professional experience required below.

3.   Professional experience

At least 3 years' professional experience relevant to the nature of the duties, acquired after obtaining the required qualification.

2.   FINANCE/ACCOUNTING

1.   Duties

In the context of the institution's various budgetary and financial activities pursuant to the European Union Financial Regulation and its implementing provisions, the official will be responsible, on the basis of precise instructions and using specific IT tools (computerised accounting system), for performing executive duties, such as:

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

—

assisting with the implementation of accounting and financial systems,

| — | organising and keeping financial or budget accounts, |
| --- | --- |

—

organising and keeping financial or budget accounts,

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

—

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

| — | handling cash management and bank reconciliation, |
| --- | --- |

—

handling cash management and bank reconciliation,

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

—

managing imprest accounts,

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

—

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

| — | monitoring receivables, |
| --- | --- |

—

monitoring receivables,

| — | performing controls on the accounting treatment and financial management of revenue, |
| --- | --- |

—

performing controls on the accounting treatment and financial management of revenue,

| — | participating in drawing up the budget estimates and drawing up the annual reports and accounts. |
| --- | --- |

—

participating in drawing up the budget estimates and drawing up the annual reports and accounts.

2.   Qualifications

Post-secondary education attested by a diploma relevant to the nature of the duties

OR

a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 3 years' professional experience relevant to the nature of the duties.

NB: The minimum of 3 years' professional experience required counts as an integral part of the qualification and cannot be counted towards the professional experience required below.

3.   Professional experience

At least 3 years' professional experience relevant to the nature of the duties, acquired after obtaining the required qualification.

3.   HUMAN RESOURCES

1.   Duties

Under the authority of an administrator, the officials selected will have to perform assistance and support duties, using IT tools, relating in particular to personnel policy management in areas such as recruitment, careers, training, and equal opportunities. Duties may also include:

| — | managing and following up matters relating to personnel policy management, in particular recruitment, careers, professional training, equal opportunities, individual and financial rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

managing and following up matters relating to personnel policy management, in particular recruitment, careers, professional training, equal opportunities, individual and financial rights,

| — | drafting notes and/or correspondence, drawing up administrative reports relating to the fields indicated above, |
| --- | --- |

—

drafting notes and/or correspondence, drawing up administrative reports relating to the fields indicated above,

| — | preparing, holding and following up on meetings, |
| --- | --- |

—

preparing, holding and following up on meetings,

| — | managing projects, |
| --- | --- |

—

managing projects,

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

—

analysing and developing working methods,

| — | assisting with the implementation of accounting, financial, statistical and IT systems, etc., |
| --- | --- |

—

assisting with the implementation of accounting, financial, statistical and IT systems, etc.,

| — | managing a team. |
| --- | --- |

—

managing a team.

These duties call for good drafting skills (drafting memoranda, reports, etc.), a keen sense of human relations, the capacity to be a good listener and the capacity to adjust to work in a multicultural environment.

2.   Qualifications

Post-secondary education attested by a diploma

OR

a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, and at least 3 years' professional experience.

NB: The minimum of 3 years' professional experience required counts as an integral part of the qualification and cannot be counted towards the professional experience required below.

3.   Professional experience

At least 3 years' professional experience relevant to the nature of the duties, acquired after obtaining the required qualification.

4.   INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

1.   Duties

The officials selected will work in of the following fields:

| — | operation/management of data-processing centres, |
| --- | --- |

—

operation/management of data-processing centres,

| — | development of information systems (multi-level or web-oriented client/server systems) and web development and administration, |
| --- | --- |

—

development of information systems (multi-level or web-oriented client/server systems) and web development and administration,

| — | maintenance and administration of the user environment, |
| --- | --- |

—

maintenance and administration of the user environment,

| — | definition of solutions, deployment, management and supervision of e-mail services, data and voice network services, and telecommunications services in general, |
| --- | --- |

—

definition of solutions, deployment, management and supervision of e-mail services, data and voice network services, and telecommunications services in general,

| — | IT security management, |
| --- | --- |

—

IT security management,

| — | development and maintenance of software for statistical data collection, processing and dissemination, |
| --- | --- |

—

development and maintenance of software for statistical data collection, processing and dissemination,

| — | security audit of information systems. |
| --- | --- |

—

security audit of information systems.

Besides the technical aspects relating to these different fields, the essential aspects of the duties will be:

| — | organising and/or monitoring projects in any of these fields (with or without outsourcing of some of the work), |
| --- | --- |

—

organising and/or monitoring projects in any of these fields (with or without outsourcing of some of the work),

| — | organising, introducing and/or monitoring operational services in any of these fields (with or without outsourcing of some of the work), |
| --- | --- |

—

organising, introducing and/or monitoring operational services in any of these fields (with or without outsourcing of some of the work),

| — | supervising outside service providers, including drawing up work plans, monitoring contracts, carrying out acceptance and approval procedures and handling the invoicing. |
| --- | --- |

—

supervising outside service providers, including drawing up work plans, monitoring contracts, carrying out acceptance and approval procedures and handling the invoicing.

These duties will require you to liaise frequently with the various departments of the European institutions and outside contractors, and to perform various tasks to do with drafting reports and presenting the work results/work plans to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

2.   Qualifications

Post-secondary education attested by a diploma relevant to the nature of the duties

OR

a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 3 years' professional experience relevant to the nature of the duties.

NB: The minimum of 3 years' professional experience required counts as an integral part of the qualification and cannot be counted towards the professional experience required below.

3.   Professional experience

At least 3 years' professional experience relevant to the nature of the duties, acquired after obtaining the required qualification.

---