Notice of open competition — EPSO/AD/249/13
Date: 2013-03-14
Institutions: European Personnel Selection Office
Subjects: EPSO, administrator, competition (EU), economy, macroeconomics








CA2013075EN.01000101.xml










14.3.2013   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


CA 75/1






NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION

EPSO/AD/249/13
(2013/C 75 A/01)
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising an open competition, based on qualifications and tests, to constitute a reserve from which to recruit administrators (1).

ADMINISTRATORS (AD 7)


in the following fields:







1.



MACROECONOMICS











2.



FINANCIAL ECONOMICS





The purpose of this competition 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 to open competitions published in Official Journal C 270 A of 7 September 2012 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.


CONTENTS






I.


GENERAL BACKGROUND










II.


DUTIES










III.


ELIGIBILITY










IV.


ADMISSION TESTS










V.


ADMISSION TO THE COMPETITION AND SELECTION BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS










VI.


ASSESSMENT CENTRE










VII.


RESERVE LISTS










VIII.


HOW TO APPLY











ANNEXES




I.   GENERAL BACKGROUND












1.


Number of successful candidates sought







Field 1 = 37


Field 2 = 27











2.


Remarks






This competition covers two fields. 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
The specific profiles sought are described in the Annexes.
III.   ELIGIBILITY

On the closing date for online applications, you must fulfil all the following general and specific conditions:












1.


General conditions






(a)


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










(b)


You must enjoy your full rights as a citizen.










(c)


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










(d)


You must meet the character requirements for the duties involved.


















2.


Specific conditions














2.1.


Qualifications






See point 2 of the Annexes










2.2.


Professional experience






See point 3 of the Annexes










2.3.


Knowledge of languages (2)







 




Language 1



Main language

A thorough knowledge of one of the 23 official languages of the European Union.




and


 




Language 2



Second language (must be different from language 1)

A satisfactory knowledge of English, French or German.


Following the judgment given by the Court of Justice of the European Union (Grand Chamber) in Case C-566/10 P, Italian Republic v Commission, the EU institutions must state the reasons for limiting the choice of the second language in this competition to a small number of official EU languages.




Candidates are therefore informed that the second language options in this competition have been defined in line with the interests of the service, which require new recruits to be immediately operational and capable of communicating effectively in their daily work. Otherwise the efficient functioning of the institutions could be severely impaired.




It has long been the practice to use mainly English, French, and German for internal communication in the EU institutions and these are also the languages most often needed when communicating with the outside world and dealing with cases. Moreover, where candidates for competitions are free to choose their second language, these three are by far the most common choices. This confirms what is currently expected of candidates for European Union posts in terms of their level of education and professional skills, namely that they have a command of at least one of these languages. Consequently, in balancing the interests and needs of the service and the abilities of candidates, and given the particular field of this competition, it is legitimate to organise tests in the three languages so as to ensure that all candidates are able to work in at least one of them, whatever their first official language. To ensure equal treatment for all candidates, everyone — including those whose first official language is one of the three — must take the test in their second language, chosen from among these three. Assessing specific competencies in this way allows the institutions to evaluate candidates' ability to be immediately operational in an environment that closely matches the reality they would face on the job. None of this affects the possibility of later language training to enable staff to work in a third language, as required under Article 45(2) of the Staff Regulations.






IV.   ADMISSION TESTS
The computer-based admission tests will be organised only if the number of candidates exceeds a certain threshold. The threshold will be determined by the Director of EPSO, as the appointing authority, after the deadline for applications. The threshold may not be the same for each field and you will be informed of the precise details via your EPSO account.
The selection board decides on the difficulty of the tests and approves their subject matter on the basis of proposals made by EPSO.













1.


Invitation






You will be invited to sit the tests if you have validated your application on time (see Section VIII).

Important:







1.


By validating your application you declare that you meet the general and specific conditions listed in Section III.










2.


You must reserve a date to sit the tests. This must be done by the deadline notified to you via your EPSO account.














2.


Nature and marking of tests






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




Test (a)


Verbal reasoning


Marking: this test will be marked out of 20.
Pass mark: 10




Test (b)


Numerical reasoning


Marking: this test will be marked out of 10.




Test (c)


Abstract reasoning


Marking: this test will be marked out of 10.




 


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










3.


Language of the tests






Language 1




V.   ADMISSION TO THE COMPETITION AND SELECTION BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS
1.   Procedure
Initially, a check for compliance with the general and specific conditions, and the selection based on qualifications, will be carried out on the basis of the information given in your online application.






(a)


Your answers to the questions relating to the general and specific conditions will be processed to determine whether you can be included in the list of candidates who fulfil all the conditions for admission to the competition.

If prior admission tests are organised, compliance with the general and specific conditions will be checked for each field in descending order of the marks obtained until the number of candidates defined by the appointing authority is reached who:







—




obtained the highest marks (and at least pass marks) in the admission tests, and












—




satisfy the eligibility conditions.







Where a number of candidates tie for the last available place, they will all be included in the selection phase based on qualifications. Online applications of candidates below the threshold will not be examined.











(b)


The selection board will then screen the candidates who fulfil the conditions for admission to the competition on the basis of their qualifications to identify those whose profile (particularly their diplomas and professional experience) best matches the duties and selection criteria set out in this competition notice. This selection is carried out solely on the basis of the information you provided in the ‘Talent Screener’ tab and takes place in two stages:






—


a first selection based on qualifications will be made solely on the basis of the responses ticked under the ‘Talent Screener’ tab of the online application form and the weighting assigned to each of the questions. The selection board will set the weighting (1 to 3) according to the importance attached to each criterion set out in point 4 below before examining the applications. The online applications of the candidates who obtain the highest number of points will then go through to a second selection stage,










—


the number of files to be examined during the second stage will be approximately nine times the number of successful candidates sought that is indicated in this competition notice. The selection board will examine candidates' answers and will award 0 to 4 points for each answer. The points are then multiplied by the weighting for each question and added together to give an overall score.








The selection board will then draw up a list of candidates in the order of the overall scores awarded. The number of candidates invited (3) to the assessment centre will not exceed three times the number of successful candidates sought (per field). This number will be published on EPSO's website (http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/en).
2.   Verification of information given by candidates
Following the assessment centre session, and in the light of the results, the information given by candidates in their online applications will be verified against the supporting documents provided by candidates; for the general conditions this will be done by EPSO, while for the specific conditions it will be done by the selection board. In assessing qualifications, supporting documents will be taken into account only to confirm the information already given under the ‘Talent Screener’ tab. If verification shows that the information given (4) is not borne out by the appropriate supporting documents, candidates will be disqualified.
Applications will be verified for candidates with the highest aggregate marks, and at least pass marks, in assessment tests (d), (e), (f), and (g), in descending order. These candidates must also have obtained pass marks in tests (a), (b), and (c). Verification will continue until the number of candidates who can be placed on the reserve list and who actually fulfil all the conditions for admission reaches the threshold. The files of candidates below the threshold will not be examined.
VI.   ASSESSMENT CENTRE















1.


Invitation to the assessment centre






If you are one of the candidates (5)







—


who, according to the information given in the online application, fulfil the general and specific conditions listed in Section III,

and











—


who obtained one of the highest marks in the selection based on qualifications,




you will be invited to the assessment centre tests (6), which will normally be held in Brussels over the course of one or two days.










2.


Assessment centre






You will undergo three types of assessment:






—


reasoning ability, if not already assessed in admission tests: tests (a), (b) and (c),










—


specific competencies: item (d),










—


general competencies: items (e), (f) and (g),






—




your reasoning ability
 will be assessed by means of the following (7):






(a)


a verbal reasoning test










(b)


a numerical reasoning test










(c)


an abstract reasoning test














—




your specific competencies
 in the field will be assessed by means of the following (7):






(d)


a structured interview on your competencies in the field, based on the information provided in the ‘Talent Screener’ tab of your application















—




your general competencies

 (8) will be assessed by means of the following (7):






(e)


a case study










(f)


a group exercise










(g)


a structured interview on your general competencies.













These general competencies will be tested as shown in the following table:





 


Case study


Group exercise


Structured interview




Analysis and problem-solving


x


x


 




Communicating


x


 


x




Delivering quality and results


x


 


x




Learning and development


 


x


x




Prioritising and organising


x


x


 




Resilience


 


x


x




Working with others


 


x


x




Leadership


 


x


x










3.


Languages for the assessment centre






Language 1 for tests (a), (b) and (c)
Language 2 for items (d), (e), (f) and (g)










4.


Marking and weighting of marks






Reasoning ability






(a)


Verbal: marked out of 20
Pass mark: 10










(b)


Numerical: marked out of 10










(c)


Abstract: marked out of 10
Aggregate pass mark for tests (b) and (c): 10




Tests (a), (b), and (c) are eliminatory, but the marks will not be added to the marks for the other assessment centre tests.
Specific competencies (item (d))
Marked out of 100
Pass mark: 50

Weighting: 55 % of the overall mark

General competencies (items (e), (f) and (g))
Marked out of 80 for all general competencies (10 per competency)
Pass mark:






 


3 for each competency

and











 


an aggregate of 40 for all eight general competencies





Weighting: 45 % of the overall mark





VII.   RESERVE LISTS












1.


Reserve list






The selection board will place your name on the reserve list:






—


if you obtained pass marks in items (a) to (g) and are one of the candidates (9) with the highest aggregate marks in assessment centre items (d), (e), (f) and (g) (see number of successful candidates, Section I(1))










—



and if your supporting documents show that you meet all the eligibility requirements.














2.


Classification






Lists will be drawn up for each field and names will be listed in alphabetical order.




VIII.   HOW TO APPLY












1.


Online application






You must apply online by following the instructions on the EPSO website and particularly in the online application manual.

Deadline (including validation): 16 April 2013 at 12 (midday), Brussels time.










2.


Submission of application files







If you are one of the candidates invited to the assessment centre, you will have to bring with you your full application file (signed online application form and supporting documents) when you come to the assessment centre (10).

Details: see point 6.1 of the Guide to open competitions.






(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.

(2)  See the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — minimum level required: Language 1 = C1, Language 2 = B2.
(http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/europass/home/hornav/Downloads/CEF/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid.csp)

(3)  Candidates not invited to the assessment centre will be sent the results of their assessment and the weighting applied by the selection board to each question.

(4)  This information will be verified against the supporting documents before the reserve list is drawn up (see Section VII(1) and Section VIII(2)).

(5)  Where a number of candidates tie for the last available place, they will all be admitted to the assessment centre session.

(6)  Depending on organisational constraints, the reasoning tests and the case study (test (e)) may be held in test centres in the Member States, separately from the other assessment centre tests.

(7)  The content is validated by the selection board.

(8)  More information on these competencies can be found in point 1.2 of the Guide to open competitions.

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

(10)  You will be notified in good time via your EPSO account of the date when you have to attend the assessment centre.


ANNEX I
FIELD 1: MACROECONOMICS
1.   Duties
This open competition is being held to recruit Administrators (AD 7) in the area of macroeconomics, with a focus on multilateral and country surveillance and on policy analysis and design.
The main duties include:






—


Surveillance of macroeconomic developments and policies of the Member States, the euro area and the European Union.










—


Design and implementation of macroeconomic adjustment programmes.










—


Empirical analysis and/or model simulation to underpin the formulation and assessment of economic policies, including in fields such as public finances, structural reforms and financial institutions and markets.










—


Design of analytical frameworks and tools for analysis of economic developments and policy performance.










—


Preparation of the economic forecasts of the European Commission.










—


Liaising with international economic and financial institutions, public authorities and other stakeholders in the implementation of economic surveillance and economic adjustment programmes.










—


In the context of the duties described above, drafting analytical, policy and legal documents both for internal use and for publication.




2.   Diplomas
A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four years attested by a diploma in economics.
OR
A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma in economics followed by professional experience of at least one year relevant to the nature of the duties described under point 1.

NB: The minimum of one year's professional experience required counts as an integral part of the diploma and cannot be counted towards the professional experience required below.
3.   Professional experience
At least six years' professional experience in the field of macroeconomics.
Such professional experience is relevant only if acquired after the diploma giving access to the competition was obtained.
4.   Selection criteria

For the selection based on qualifications, the following criteria will be taken into consideration by the selection board:







1.


A degree (other than a PhD) or certificate in addition to that required for access to the competition (as described under point 2 above) in one of the following areas: economics, quantitative analysis, finance and applied macroeconomics.










2.


A PhD in one of the following areas: economics, quantitative analysis, finance and applied macroeconomics.










3.


Work experience of at least two years in international economic and/or financial institutions.










4.


Work experience of at least two years in national public administrations responsible for design and implementation of economic, fiscal or monetary policies.










5.


Work experience of at least two years in academic, policy and research institutions (specialising in the field of economics or economic policy).










6.


Publications in peer-reviewed economic journals in the areas of quantitative analysis and modelling.










7.


Publications in peer-reviewed economic journals in the area of macroeconomics.










8.


Experience of drafting technical and non-technical reports on macroeconomic trends, surveillance and forecasting.










9.


Experience of drafting technical and non-technical reports on the economic effects of structural reforms and policies to improve competitiveness.










10.


Experience of drafting technical and non-technical reports on public finances and European economic governance.










11.


Experience of at least two years in applied econometrics such as time series analysis and panel regression analysis.










12.


Experience of developing and/or using macroeconomic models (e.g. DSGE models).










13.


Work experience in designing and implementing an economic adjustment programme.







ANNEX II
FIELD 2: FINANCIAL ECONOMICS
1.   Duties
This open competition is being held to recruit Administrators (AD 7) in the area of financial economics, with a focus on multilateral and country surveillance and on policy analysis and design.
The main duties include:






—


Surveillance and analysis of the functioning of financial markets or market segments of the Member States, the euro area and the European Union, including establishing the existence of possible market failures and mispricing.










—


Analysing and assessing the viability, performance and sustainability of financial institutions and markets in Member States, including those with an economic adjustment programme.










—


Analysis (theoretical, empirical, or model-based) to support the formulation and assessment of policies related to regulation of financial markets, financial institutions, and financial infrastructure.










—


Developing and applying methods, tools, and procedures for processing and interpreting financial, monetary and economic data; this includes data on financial securities, which may involve the use of advanced quantitative techniques for assessment and valuation purposes.










—


Design, negotiation, and implementation of financial instruments or special purpose vehicles (such as debt instruments guarantee schemes or risk-sharing instruments) to support the implementation of EU policies.










—


Liaising with international economic and financial institutions, public authorities and other stakeholders in the implementation of economic surveillance of financial markets, including surveillance under economic adjustment programmes.










—


In the context of the duties described above, drafting analytical, policy and legal documents for internal and external use.




2.   Diplomas
A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four years attested by a diploma in economics or finance.
OR
A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma in economics or finance followed by professional experience of at least one year relevant to the nature of the duties described under 1.

NB: The minimum of one year's professional experience required counts as an integral part of the diploma and cannot be counted towards the professional experience required below.
3.   Professional experience:
At least six years' professional experience of analysing the financial sector.
Such professional experience is relevant only if acquired after the diploma giving access to the competition was obtained.
4.   Selection criteria

For the selection based on qualifications, the following criteria will be taken into consideration by the selection board:







1.


A degree (other than a PhD) or certificate in addition to that required for access to the competition (as described under point 2 above) in one of the following areas: financial economics, economics, corporate finance, quantitative analysis, statistics, applied economics, or mathematical finance.










2.


A PhD in one of the following areas: financial economics, economics, corporate finance, quantitative analysis, statistics, applied economics, or mathematical finance.










3.


Work experience of at least two years in banking and/or other financial institutions.










4.


Work experience of at least two years in a public administration or international institution responsible for micro- or macro-prudential supervision.










5.


Work experience of at least two years in a public administration or international institution devising, administrating and implementing financial stability policies.










6.


Work experience of at least two years in academic and research institutions specialising in the field of finance and economics.










7.


Experience of at least two years in analysing the viability and performance of financial institutions.










8.


Publications in peer-reviewed economic journals, especially in the areas of quantitative financial economics, financial stability, and corporate finance.










9.


Experience of drafting technical and non-technical reports on financial market developments, financial stability, and trends in the banking sector.










10.


Experience of at least two years in applied econometrics such as time series analysis and panel regression analysis.










11.


Experience of developing and/or using macroeconomic models (e. g. DSGE models).










12.


Work experience in designing and implementing an economic adjustment programme.