Notice of open competition — EPSO/AST/129/13 — Assistants (AST 3)
Date: 2013-12-05
Institutions: European Personnel Selection Office
Subjects: EPSO, accounting, assistant, competition (EU), economy, legal profession








CA2013355EN.01000101.xml










5.12.2013   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


CA 355/1






NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION

EPSO/AST/129/13 — Assistants (AST 3)
(2013/C 355 A/01)
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising an open competition, based on tests, to constitute a reserve from which to recruit assistants (1).

EPSO/AST/129/13 — Assistants (AST 3)


in the following fields:







1.



ACCOUNTING/FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT











2.



ECONOMY/FINANCE











3.



LEGAL MATTERS





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 of the European Union 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.


TABLE OF CONTENTS






I.



GENERAL BACKGROUND











II.



DUTIES











III.



ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS











IV.



ADMISSION TESTS











V.



ASSESSMENT CENTRE











VI.



RESERVE LISTS











VII.



HOW TO APPLY













ANNEXES





I.   GENERAL BACKGROUND












1.


Number of successful candidates sought per field







Field 1 = 51


Field 2 = 32


Field 3 = 28











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
AST 3 assistants contribute to performing the functions of their institution or agency under the supervision of an administrator and are called upon to carry out executive, implementation, support and logistical tasks in various fields of activity.
There is a detailed description of the various fields in the Annexes.
III.   ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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 Annex




2.2.



Professional experience: see Annex




2.3.


Knowledge of languages (2)



In the light of the judgment given by the Court of Justice of the European Union (Grand Chamber) in Case C-566/10 P, Italy v Commission, the EU institutions wish to 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, English, French and German are the most common second languages in the European Union and the most commonly studied as a second language. 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. 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.




For these same reasons, it is reasonable to limit the language of communication between candidates and the institution, including the language in which application forms are to be drafted. Furthermore, this ensures uniformity when comparing candidates and checking their application forms.




To ensure equal treatment for all candidates, everyone — including those whose first official language is one of the three — must take some tests in their second language, chosen from among these three.




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.






Language 1



Main language:

A thorough knowledge of one of the 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




IV.   ADMISSION TESTS
The admission tests are organised by EPSO and you will take them on a computer. 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 VII).

NB:







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




Test (b)


Numerical reasoning


Marking: this test will be marked out of 10
Pass mark for each field:
Field 1: 5
Field 2: 5
Field 3: 4




Test (c)


Abstract reasoning


Marking: this test will be marked out of 10




 


Aggregate pass mark for
tests (a) and (c): 15




Test (d)


Professional skills:
Accuracy and precision


Marking: this test will be marked out of 20




Test (e)


Professional skills:
Prioritising and organising


Marking: this test will be marked out of 20




 


Aggregate pass mark for
tests (d) and (e): 20




Test (f)


Situational judgement


Marking: this test will be marked out of 40
Pass mark: 24










3.


Language of the tests






Language 1 for parts (a), (b) and (c)
Language 2 for parts (d), (e) and (f)




V.   ASSESSMENT CENTRE
















1.


Invitation






You will be invited to the assessment centre






—


if you have obtained the pass mark in all the admission tests,










—


if you have one of the highest aggregate marks for tests (a), (c), (d), (e) and (f) (3), and










—


if checks on the information given in your online application show that you fulfil the general and specific conditions listed in Section III (4).




Test (b) is eliminatory but the marks will not be added to the marks from the other tests in order to identify the candidates to invite to the assessment centre.
The number of candidates invited to the assessment centre will be approximately 2,5 times the number of successful candidates sought that is indicated in the competition notice and will be published on EPSO's website (http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/).










2.


Assessment centre






You will undergo two types of assessment:






—




Specific competencies
, which will be assessed by means of:






(g)


a case study (5) in the chosen field;














—




General competencies

 (6), which will be assessed by means of (5):






(g)


a case study in the chosen field










(h)


an in-tray exercise










(i)


a structured interview










(j)


a group exercise








You will be invited to carry out a case study (7) in your chosen field (an integral part of the assessment centre) and to take the other tests at the assessment centre, which will normally be held in Brussels over one day.

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





 


Case study


In-tray


Structured interview


Group exercise




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










3.


Languages for the assessment centre






Language 2










4.


Marking






Specific competencies (g)
This test will be marked out of 30.
Pass mark: 15

Weighting: 30 % of the overall mark

General competencies (g), (h), (i) and (j)
These tests will be marked out of 10 for each general competency.
Pass mark:






 


3 for each competency and











 


an aggregate of 35 out of 70 for all seven general competencies





Weighting: 70 % of the overall mark





VI.   RESERVE LISTS












1.


Candidates placed on the reserve lists (8)







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






—


if you have passed the assessment centre tests with one of the highest aggregate marks (9) (see number of successful candidates sought, Section I.1),










—



and if
your supporting evidence shows that you meet all the eligibility requirements.




Supporting documents will be verified in descending order of merit 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. If verification shows that the information given in your online application form is not borne out by appropriate supporting documents, you will be disqualified from the competition (10).










2.


Classification






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




VII.   HOW TO APPLY












1.


Online application






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

Deadline (including validation): 14 January 2014 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time.










2.


Submission of application files







If you are invited to the assessment centre, you must bring your full application file (signed online application form and supporting documents) with you (11).

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) — required level: language 1 = C1, language 2 = B2
(http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/europass/home/hornav/Downloads/CEF/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid.csp).

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

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

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

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

(7)  For organisational reasons, the case study may be organised in test centres in the Member States, separately from the other assessment centre tests.

(8)  Successful candidates placed on a reserve list for this competition may be offered a post on the basis of the new Staff Regulations as last amended by Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1023/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 287, 29.10.2013, p. 15), which may also entail other legal and financial consequences.

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

(10)  The information relating to the general conditions is verified by EPSO, while the information relating to the specific conditions is verified by the selection board.

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


ANNEX 1
ACCOUNTING/FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
1.   Duties
In the context of the institution's various accounting activities pursuant to the Financial Regulation of the European Union and the related implementing rules, the official will be responsible, acting under the authority of an administrator and using specific IT tools (computerised accounting system), for performing executive duties such as:






—


participating in managing the general accounts and analysing the accounts;










—


participating in drawing up the annual reports and accounts;










—


following up the amounts of receivables and establishing revenue;










—


participating in the financial management of revenue and checking its accounting treatment;










—


keeping general or budget accounts;










—


participating in setting up, implementing and improving accounting quality procedures to reduce accounting risks;










—


participating in planning, setting up, monitoring and concluding public procurement procedures, from creation of the procedure file to signature of the contracts within the framework of applicable legislation;










—


assisting with closure of the accounts and the drawing-up and presentation of financial statements;










—


monitoring financial procedures (commitment, checking of invoices, payments and debt recovery);










—


managing reconciliations in the general accounts and imprest accounts;










—


helping analyse and monitor the suspense accounts and contributing to defining new procedures and processes in this area;










—


contributing to replies by the financial management and accounting helpdesk.




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 higher 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.
Such professional experience is relevant only if acquired after the diploma giving access to the competition was obtained.



ANNEX 2
ECONOMY/FINANCE
1.   Duties
The official will be responsible, acting under the authority of an administrator, for performing duties in the field of supervision and analysis of financial markets, monetary policy and monitoring of the European Union's financial procedures. The official must have a good knowledge of financial procedures and taxation, as well as knowledge in the fields of economy and financial markets. For information, the official could be expected to carry out the following tasks:






—


participating in the analysis of financial markets and market supervision;










—


providing assistance for work linked to monetary policy, financial market regulation, financial institutions and financial infrastructure;










—


providing assistance with researching, analysing, processing and interpreting economic, monetary and financial data, and with compiling the related reports and distributing information;










—


providing assistance with the evaluation of economic, financial and tax policies.




These duties require adaptability in cross-cutting fields of work, a good understanding of political and economic events, proven skills in analysis, communication, drafting, and project management and distribution techniques.
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 higher 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.
Such professional experience is relevant only if acquired after the diploma giving access to the competition was obtained.



ANNEX 3
LEGAL MATTERS
1.   Duties
The assistants recruited will be expected to work under the authority of an administrator, performing duties such as those described below.






—


Helping to analyse and summarise files in order to prepare the position to be taken by the institutions, legal officers, and/or lawyers instructed.










—


Helping to draft advice on questions relating to law, litigation, or procedure.










—


Preparing files for the adoption of decisions by the institution via the delegation procedure or written procedure, draft communications to the institution, and drafts for consultation of departments.










—


Monitoring action taken, the procedural stages (pre-litigation and litigation phase), and compliance with deadlines.










—


Conducting preparatory research and analysis of European and national law.










—


Providing assistance to the legal officers for selecting external lawyers on the basis of substance and competent jurisdiction. Creating and checking follow-up sheets in respect of contracts concluded with external lawyers. Establishing the necessary powers for the institution to be represented before national courts.










—


Replying to questions and requests for information regarding cases of litigation in the broad sense and of debt recovery.










—


Compiling files on Community and national litigation and enforced recovery of debts.










—


Carrying out research and managing requests for access to documents from European citizens within the framework of applicable legislation.










—


Participating in defining new tools for document management, feeding and managing the national and European law databases.




2.   Qualifications
Post-secondary education attested by a diploma in the legal field

OR

a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to higher 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.
Such professional experience is relevant only if acquired after the diploma giving access to the competition was obtained.