Notice of Open Competition — EPSO/AST/155/22 — Security and safety assistants (AST 3) in the following fields: 1. Operational security, 2. Technical security, 3. Occupational health and safety
Date: 2022-11-17
Institutions: European Personnel Selection Office
Subjects: assistant, competition (EU), job vacancy, occupational safety, recruitment








CA2022437EN.01000101.xml










17.11.2022   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


CA 437/1






NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION
EPSO/AST/155/22 — Security and safety assistants (AST 3) in the following fields:
1. Operational security
2. Technical security
3. Occupational health and safety
(2022/C 437 A/01)


Deadline for application: 20 December 2022 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time


CONTENTS







1.

GENERAL PROVISIONS
2










2.

WHAT DUTIES CAN I EXPECT TO PERFORM?
2










3.

AM I ELIGIBLE?
2










3.1.

General conditions
2










3.2.

Specific conditions — languages
3










3.3.

Specific conditions — qualifications and work experience
3










4.

HOW WILL THE COMPETITION BE ORGANISED?
7










4.1.

Overview of the competition procedures
7










4.2.

Languages used in this competition
8










4.3.

Competition phases
9










5.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
12










ANNEX I

— Typical duties
13










ANNEX II

— Examples of minimum qualifications
16










ANNEX III

— General rules governing open competitions
25



1.   GENERAL PROVISIONS

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising an open competition based on qualifications and tests to draw up reserve lists from which the institutions and other bodies of the European Union (EU) may recruit new members of the civil service as assistants (grade AST 3).

This notice of competition and its annexes form the legally binding framework for this competition.
Numbers of successful candidates sought are indicated in Table 1.

Table 1








Field 1


Operational security



44





Field 2


Technical security



24





Field 3


Occupational health and safety



33





This notice of competition covers three fields. A candidate may only apply for one of them. Candidates must make their choice when they apply and will not be able to change it after they have validated their application form.
2.   WHAT DUTIES CAN I EXPECT TO PERFORM?

Assistants in field 1 — operational security — assist in all security matters related to the protection of persons, buildings and other infrastructure, equipment, sensitive and classified information as well as other assets relevant to the EU institutions and other bodies. Some jobs in the field of operational security may involve an obligation to carry a weapon and require a commitment to follow continuous firearm as well as physical-fitness training.
Assistants in field 2 — technical security — contribute to the conceptual work, technical management, analysis, as well as technical and administrative supervision related to building and technical security installations.
Assistants in field 3 — occupational health and safety — assist in the implementation of preventive measures for health, safety, and hygiene at work, coordination of occupational health and safety aspects during building planning and construction phases, drawing up health, safety and hygiene plans and instructions, as well as emergency management.
Assistants in all the three fields covered by this notice may be required to perform duties on a shift/rotation system outside of normal office hours, as well as stand-by duties.
Please see Annex I for further information about the typical duties that the successful candidates can expect to perform.
Successful candidates must possess a valid security clearance to level EU SECRET or higher or be prepared to undergo the relevant clearance procedures before or upon recruitment.
Successful candidates in field 1 — operational security — before recruitment may be required to provide proof of successful completion of firearm training and/or to undergo a physical-fitness and/or shooting test.
3.   AM I ELIGIBLE?

Candidates must meet all the general and specific eligibility conditions listed below, on the closing date for applications.
3.1.   General conditions

A candidate must:






(a)


enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State of the EU,










(b)


have fulfilled any obligations imposed by national laws concerning military service,










(c)


meet the character requirements for the duties concerned.




3.2.   Specific conditions — languages

A candidate must have knowledge of at least two of the 24 official EU languages, as provided for in section 4.2.1. below.
3.3.   Specific conditions — qualifications and work experience

Please see Annex II for examples of minimum qualifications.
3.3.1.   Field 1 — operational security







(a)


To be eligible for field 1, a candidate must meet the requirements listed in one of the following points (also see Table 2 for a summary):






(i)


Have a level of post-secondary education or training of at least two years, attested by a diploma in police, military, intelligence, and/or security fields, followed by at least three years of relevant professional experience;










(ii)


Have a level of post-secondary education or training of at least one year, attested by a diploma in police, military, intelligence, and/or security fields, followed by at least four years of relevant professional experience;










(iii)


Have a level of post-secondary education or training attested by a diploma in a field other than those referred to in points 3.3.1.(a)(i) and (ii) above, followed by at least five years of relevant professional experience;










(iv)


Have a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least six years of relevant professional experience.





Table 2









Type of diploma


Minimum length of education


Minimum length of relevant professional experience required




(i)


Post-secondary education or training in police, military, intelligence, and/or security fields


2 years


3 years




(ii)


1 year


4 years




(iii)


Post-secondary education or training in another field


Any


5 years




(iv)


Secondary education giving access to post-secondary education


Not applicable


6 years














(b)


For the purposes of point 3.3.1.(a) above, ‘a year’ of post-secondary education shall mean a minimum of nine months of effective education or training.










(c)


Professional experience referred to in points 3.3.1.(a)(i) to (iv) above will be considered relevant if it is directly related to the nature of duties in field 1, indicated in Annex I to this notice, and was acquired in two or more of the following areas:






(i)


Police, military, or intelligence service (core business);










(ii)


Security in an institution, (international) organisation, or in a private company, while under a contract either directly with the institution/organisation or with a private security company;










(iii)


Ensuring emergency response in situations that could endanger the security of assets;










(iv)


Working in a 24/7 shift system dealing with security incidents;










(v)


Close-protection services;










(vi)


Carrying out security investigations or inquiries in the field of crime, public order, intelligence, terrorism, or IT security/cybersecurity;










(vii)


Reporting and following-up on security issues and activities;










(viii)


Engaging in intelligence, counter-intelligence, or in counter-terrorism;










(ix)


Conducting threat, risk, and vulnerability assessments;










(x)


Information gathering related to security issues via open source intelligence;










(xi)


Conducting investigations (background checks) in the context of personal security clearances or conducting security verifications;










(xii)


Conducting evaluations of implemented security measures (inspections, audits, red-team tests);










(xiii)


Supervising or operating video surveillance system and/or access control;










(xiv)


Managing a 24/7 security operations’ centre/room or security-related dispatching service (public or private);










(xv)


Organising and managing the rosters and planning the security set-up for the surveillance of buildings and facilities;










(xvi)


Cooperation with national authorities and partner services in preparing security missions abroad;










(xvii)


Ensuring security management and/or advising on security issues in a diplomatic mission or in a diplomatic representation of an international organisation abroad.








3.3.2.   Field 2 — technical security







(a)


To be eligible for field 2, a candidate must meet the requirements listed in one of the following points (also see Table 3 for a summary):






(i)


A level of post-secondary education or training of at least two years, attested by a diploma in a field of a technical nature (such as engineering, mechanics, electro mechanics, electronics, or similar), followed by at least three years of relevant professional experience;










(ii)


A level of post-secondary education or training of at least one year, attested by a diploma in a field of a technical nature (such as engineering, mechanics, electro mechanics, electronics, or similar) followed by at least four years of relevant professional experience;










(iii)


A level of post-secondary education or training of at least two years, attested by a diploma in police, military, intelligence, and/or security field, followed by at least four years of relevant professional experience;










(iv)


A level of post-secondary education or training of at least one year, attested by a diploma in police, military, intelligence, and/or security field, followed by at least five years of relevant professional experience;










(v)


A level of post-secondary education or training attested by a diploma in a field other than those referred to in points 3.3.2.(a)(i) to (iv) above, followed by at least six years of relevant professional experience;










(vi)


A level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least seven years of relevant professional experience.





Table 3









Type of diploma


Minimum length of education


Minimum length of relevant professional experience required




(i)


Post-secondary education or training in a field of a technical nature (such as engineering, mechanics, electro mechanics, electronics, or similar)


2 years


3 years




(ii)


1 year


4 years




(iii)


Post-secondary education or training in police, military, intelligence, and/or security field


2 years


4 years




(iv)


1 year


5 years




(v)


Post-secondary education or training in another field


Any


6 years




(vi)


Secondary education giving access to post-secondary education


Not applicable


7 years














(b)


For the purposes of point 3.3.2.(a) above, ‘a year’ of post-secondary education shall mean a minimum of nine months of effective education or training.










(c)


Professional experience referred to in points 3.3.2.(a)(i) to (vi) above will be considered relevant if it is directly related to the nature of duties in field 2, indicated in Annex I to this notice, and was acquired in two or more of the following areas:






(i)


Conception and/or implementation of physical security systems and measures, such as access control, electronic locks, intrusion detection systems, CCTV, secured storage, X-rays, secure key management, explosives’ or hazardous materials’ detection systems;










(ii)


Maintenance of security systems;










(iii)


Inspection of security systems and installations;










(iv)


Working with computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS), including monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators for maintenance, storage and inventory activities;










(v)


Conception and/or implementation of technical security projects for office buildings;










(vi)


Conception and/or implementation of networks for security systems;










(vii)


Procurement and contract management in the field of technical security;










(viii)


Maintenance and securisation of IT networks for security systems;










(ix)


Conception and/or implementation of anti-eavesdropping security systems;










(x)


Drafting and/or implementing specifications for physical security protection, for example for fences, building facades, control rooms, strong rooms (‘safe haven’), security check points for cars and pedestrians, etc.;










(xi)


Conception and/or implementing of hostile-vehicle mitigation security systems and car-park security systems;










(xii)


Conception and/or implementation of anti-terrorist technical security systems, such as bullet-proof or anti-blast installations, anti-drone protection, etc.;










(xiii)


Diplomatic technical security.








3.3.3.   Field 3 — occupational health and safety







(a)


To be eligible for field 3, a candidate must meet the requirements listed in one of the following points (also see Table 4 for a summary):






(i)


Have a level of post-secondary education of at least two years attested by a diploma in one or more of the fields referred to in point 3.3.3.(b) below, followed by at least two years of relevant professional experience, and have completed a specialist training referred to in point 3.3.3.(c) below;










(ii)


Have a level of post-secondary education of at least two years attested by a diploma in one or more of the fields referred to in point 3.3.3.(b) below, followed by at least three years of relevant professional experience;










(iii)


Have a level of post-secondary education of at least two years attested by a diploma in a field other than those referred to in point 3.3.3.(b) below, followed by at least four years of relevant professional experience, and have completed a specialist training referred to in point 3.3.3.(c) below;










(iv)


Have a level of post-secondary education of at least two years attested by a diploma in a field other than those referred to in point 3.3.3.(b) below, followed by at least five years of relevant professional experience;










(v)


Have a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least five years of relevant professional experience, and have completed a specialist training referred to in point 3.3.3.(c) below;










(vi)


Have a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least six years of relevant professional experience.





Table 4









Do you have post-secondary education of at least 2 years attested by a diploma?


Have you completed a specialist training referred to in point 3.3.3.(c)?


Minimum length of relevant professional experience required




(i)


Yes, in a field referred to in point 3.3.3.(b)


Yes


2 years




(ii)


No


3 years




(iii)


Yes, in a field other than those referred to in point 3.3.3.(b)


Yes


4 years




(iv)


No


5 years




(v)


No, but I have secondary education giving access to post-secondary education


Yes


5 years




(vi)


No


6 years














(b)


The diploma referred to in points 3.3.3. (a)(i) and (ii) above will be considered relevant if it was acquired in one or more of the following fields:






(i)


Occupational health and safety or occupational hygiene (such as ‘designated worker’ or equivalent, as referred to in Article 7 of Council Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1);










(ii)


Building architecture, engineering, construction, or maintenance;










(iii)


Fire engineering or safety management;










(iv)


Chemistry;










(v)


Biology;










(vi)


Physics;










(vii)


Psychology;










(viii)


Ergonomics;










(ix)


Human medicine and health (occupational medicine, nursing, paramedicine, physiotherapy, kinesiology, osteopathy).














(c)


Specialist training referred to in point 3.3.3.(a) above will be taken into account if it amounts to at least 136 hours of cumulated training and is directly related to field 3. For example: prevention advisor or designated worker in either safety, ergonomics or psychosocial risks; radiation protection or safety coordinator, etc. For the purpose of this point, one day shall be equivalent to eight hours of training.










(d)


Professional experience referred to in points 3.3.3. (a)(i) to (vi) above will be considered relevant if it is directly related to the nature of duties in field 3, referred to in Annex I to this notice, and was acquired in one or more of the following areas:






(i)


Occupational health and safety or occupational hygiene;










(ii)


Building control, facility management or works coordination;










(iii)


Fire engineering or safety management;










(iv)


Ergonomics;










(v)


Well-being and psychosocial risks;










(vi)


Operational environment (scientific laboratories, testing facilities, etc.);










(vii)


Health and safety management systems;










(viii)


Work-place risk assessments.








4.   HOW WILL THE COMPETITION BE ORGANISED?

4.1.   Overview of the competition procedures

This competition will be organised in the following phases:






—


Application (see section 4.3.1. below).










—


Pre-selection: reasoning tests (see section 4.3.2. below).










—


Eligibility check (see section 4.3.3. below).










—


Assessment centre (see section 4.3.4. below):






(i)


Two tests to assess general competencies: a case study and a situational competency-based interview,










(ii)


One test to assess field-related competencies: a field-related interview.














—


Check of supporting documents and establishment of reserve lists (see section 4.3.5. below).




The delivery mode (remote/in-person) of the tests as well as other necessary details and instructions will be specified in the invitation letters to the tests.
If the tests are held in-person, EPSO will ensure that the conditions under which candidates sit the tests are in line with the recommendations established by the relevant public health authorities (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, other international, European, and national authorities).
For the reasoning tests and for the case study, candidates must book an appointment following the instructions received from EPSO. Typically, EPSO will offer several dates for the reasoning tests and one date for the case study, on which candidates can take these tests. The booking and testing periods are limited.
4.2.   Languages used in this competition

4.2.1.   Language requirements

A candidate in this competition must have both of the following:






a)


A thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the 24 official EU languages. This language will further be referred to as ‘language 1’;










b)


A satisfactory knowledge (minimum B2 level) of English or French. This language will further be referred to as ‘language 2’. Language 2 must be different from language 1.




The minimum levels indicated above apply to each linguistic ability (speaking, writing, reading, and listening) requested in the application form. These abilities reflect those of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The language requirements take into account the specificity of the duties of security and safety assistants working at the EU institutions. While knowledge of additional languages may be useful, it is indispensable to have a satisfactory command of English or French: in their work, the successful candidates will mainly operate in one or in both of these languages.
The security and safety assistants in the EU institutions play a crucial role in guaranteeing security of assets and in ensuring occupational health and safety of the institutions’ staff. Due to the nature of their duties, security and safety assistants may be called upon to respond to a serious and imminent danger which requires rapid reaction, internal and/or external consultation and decision making as to the measures to be taken (first aid, fire-fighting, evacuation, active-shooter response, etc.). Without effective and efficient communication, the security and safety assistants may be unable to perform their duties and thus put people’s health and safety at risk or compromise the security of assets. This is why it is of paramount importance that the newly recruited assistants be able to communicate effectively in either English or French — the languages that are the most commonly used in the fields concerned within the institutions and for contacts with external stakeholders.
New recruits in these fields will be required to liaise on a daily basis with contractors, external companies, and local authorities (including police, fire departments, military units, etc.), mainly in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg. In view of these locations taken together, the most widely-used working language of the relevant external stakeholders is French.
The knowledge of French will also enable the recruited assistants to understand and apply local legislation in either of these three locations. English can also be necessary on many occasions, for example, in contacts with EU institutions’ staff, visitors, as well as with the non-French-speaking contractors, as well as with many Member-State delegates. In many situations, knowledge of both English and French will be needed, for example in contacts with visitors from all over Europe and in particular during official visits at ambassador, minister, or head of state level.
Some of the successful candidates in this competition may be recruited to serve at the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) or in one of the EU delegations around the world. The dominant language of communication amongst headquarters of the EEAS and the delegations as well as within most of the delegations is English. English is also the dominant language used by security staff in contacts with partners and local authorities around the world. French comes next in terms of usage, with 26 % of EU Delegations using French as the main working language. In the challenging security contexts where some delegations operate, a proper command of the main language of communication is indispensable.
French and English are the main languages used for drafting expressions of needs and technical specifications for tenders related to security and safety (for example, access control, electronic locks, intruder detection systems, CCTV, secured storage, X-rays, secure key management equipment, ‘as built’ files, safety technical controls, etc.).
The procedure manuals, manuals of hardware and software, and international norms and standards in the field of security and safety are available mostly in English or French. The security plans and safety instructions are mostly available in French. Mastering one of these languages is thus essential, namely to understand the functioning of devices relevant for the security and safety fields.
Many IT tools used by the staff of EU institutions working in these fields are available in English and/or French. For example, corporate databases, interface tools for collaboration between institutions and contractors, etc.
Finally, training courses by external providers are delivered in English and/or French as is on-the-job training.
For the reasons listed above, new recruits need to have a satisfactory command of English or French in order to be immediately operational.
This therefore determines the choice of the languages for both general competency and field-related tests (see section 4.2.2. below).
4.2.2.   Application and test languages

In different phases of the competition, languages will be used as indicated in Table 5.

Table 5








Competition phase


Tests


Language




Application


—


Any of the 24 official EU languages




Pre-selection


Reasoning tests


Language 1




Assessment centre


Case study


Language 2




Situational competency-based interview


Language 2




Field-related interview


Language 2




Successful candidates will have to demonstrate the full range of their skills and competencies — both general and field-related — in English or French. It is therefore necessary to organise the main aspects of the selection in these languages.
The use of a limited number of languages also increases homogeneity and therefore the quality of the comparison of the merits of candidates. In particular, it allows the Selection Board to assign members to candidates independently of their language knowledge and without resorting to translations.
4.2.3.   Languages of communication

In communication between the candidates and EPSO, the following will apply:






a)


In communication — via the EPSO account or by email — between EPSO and a candidate who submitted a valid application, EPSO will address the candidate concerned in one of the languages that the candidate has declared to have knowledge of at level B2 or higher in the ‘Ability to read’ section in the application form.










b)


In cases of requests and complaints referred to in points 4.2.1. and 4.2.2. of the General rules governing open competitions (in Annex III to this notice), candidates are encouraged to submit their requests or complaints in English or French. EPSO will reply as stated under point a).










c)


For all other questions from candidates to EPSO via the online contact form, a candidate can address EPSO in any of the 24 official EU languages and EPSO will reply to the candidate concerned in one of the languages in which he/she indicated to be willing to receive a reply.




4.3.   Competition phases

4.3.1.   Application

To apply, a candidate needs to have an EPSO account. Candidates who do not yet have an EPSO account, will need to create one. Only one account may be created for all of a candidate’s EPSO applications.

The candidates must apply online on the EPSO website
https://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application
by


20 December 2022 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time

By validating their application form, candidates declare on their honour that they meet all the conditions mentioned under the section ‘Am I eligible?’ Once the candidates have validated their application form, they will no longer be able to make any changes. It is their responsibility to ensure that they complete and validate their application within the deadline.
Candidates will have to upload — to their EPSO account — scanned copies of the documents supporting the declarations made in their application form. Further details and instructions will be provided by EPSO.
4.3.2.   Pre-selection: reasoning tests

All candidates who validated their application form by the deadline will be invited to sit pre-selection tests in a multiple-choice-question format, in their language 1, organised as indicated in Table 6.

Table 6









Tests


No of questions


Duration


Scoring




Verbal reasoning


20


35 minutes


0 to 20




Numerical reasoning


10


20 minutes


0 to 10




Abstract reasoning


10


10 minutes


0 to 10




There are no pass scores in these tests. Candidates with one of the highest overall scores, i.e. the scores from all the three tests combined, will have their application checked for eligibility as specified in section 4.3.3.
The scores obtained in these tests will not count towards the final overall score (see section 4.3.5.).
4.3.3.   Eligibility check

The eligibility check involves verifying compliance with the eligibility conditions set out in section 3 (‘Am I eligible?’) of this notice. This will be done on the basis of candidates’ declarations made in their application form, subject to subsequent verification of supporting documents. The documents supporting candidates’ declarations regarding their eligibility will be verified by the Selection Board at a later phase of the competition (see section 4.3.5.).
Only the files of the candidates who obtained one of the highest scores in the pre-selection reasoning tests will undergo the eligibility check. The eligibility check will be performed in the descending order of the candidates’ overall scores. The files will be checked until the number of candidates deemed eligible reaches a maximum of three times the number of successful candidates sought for each field. Candidates who tie for the last available place will also have their files checked. The files of other candidates will not be checked.
The candidates deemed eligible as a result of this check will be invited to the next phase of the competition.
4.3.4.   Assessment centre


A maximum of three times the number of successful candidates sought for each field (plus the candidates who tied for the last available place as indicated in section 4.3.3.) will be invited to the assessment-centre phase.
The aim of the assessment centre is to assess the general and the field-related competencies of the candidates.
Candidates who have obtained all the required pass scores as well as one of the highest overall scores in the assessment-centre tests will have their supporting documents checked as specified in section 4.3.5.
a)   Tests to assess general competencies

The general competencies will be assessed through two tests, taken in language 2 of the candidate, as indicated in Table 7.

Table 7









Competency


Test


Scoring


Combined pass score










1.


Analysis and problem-solving






Case study


0 to 10


35/70










2.


Communication






Case study


0 to 10










3.


Delivering quality and results






Case study


0 to 10










4.


Learning and development






Situational competency-based interview


0 to 10










5.


Prioritising and organising






Case study


0 to 10










6.


Resilience






Situational competency-based interview


0 to 10










7.


Working with others






Situational competency-based interview


0 to 10




There is no pass score per competency. However, candidates must reach a pass score of at least 35/70 in total for all competencies combined. The score obtained will count towards the final overall score (see section 4.3.5.).
b)   Field-related interview

The field-related competencies will be assessed through a field-related interview, carried out in language 2 of the candidate and scored as indicated in Table 8.

Table 8








Test


Scoring


Pass score




Field-related interview


0 to 100


50/100




The score obtained will count towards the final overall score (see section 4.3.5.)
4.3.5.   Check of supporting documents and establishment of reserve lists

The Selection Board will check the candidates’ supporting documents following the assessment-centre phase and before establishing the reserve lists. It will take a final position on the eligibility of candidates by way of comparing (i) the declarations that candidates made in their application form (including in sections ‘Education and Training’ and ‘Professional Experience’) with (ii) the documents the candidates have uploaded to their EPSO account to support those declarations.
To draw up the reserve lists, the Selection Board will check the files of the candidates with the highest overall scores, in the descending order of scores, until the number of successful candidates sought for each field is reached. The files of other candidates will not be checked.

The reserve lists per field will therefore only include the names of those eligible candidates who have obtained all the required pass scores as well as the highest overall scores, out of 170, in the assessment-centre tests. Here, ‘170’ represents the sum of the highest possible scores in the tests to assess general competencies (70) and in the field-related interview (100).
Names will be listed alphabetically. The reserve lists will be made available to the recruiting services.
All candidates who have taken the tests in the assessment centre will receive a competency passport containing qualitative feedback from the Selection Board. The competency passports of successful candidates will also be made available to the recruiting services.

Inclusion on a reserve list does not confer any right to or guarantee of recruitment.

5.   EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

EPSO endeavours to apply an equal opportunities policy to all candidates.
Candidates who have a disability or a medical condition that may affect their ability to take the tests, should indicate this in their application form and follow the procedure to request reasonable accommodation as described in the General rules annexed to this notice (see Annex III, under section 1.3.). Having examined the candidates’ request as well as the relevant supporting documents, EPSO may grant reasonable accommodation where deemed necessary.
More information about EPSO’s equal opportunities policy and how to request reasonable accommodation can be found on the EPSO website.




ANNEX I
Typical duties

Field 1 — operational security









1.


Participating in the development of operational security instructions and guidelines and ensuring that these are respected;












2.


Assisting in the security operations for the protection of assets (people, equipment, buildings and other infrastructure, sensitive and classified information);












3.


Performing tasks related to the implementation of crisis plans in the field of security and taking operational initiatives in the event of an emergency (fire, evacuation, first aid, etc.);












4.


Assisting in preparing and coordinating the deployment of resources in accordance with risk analysis;












5.


Assisting in the supervision, management and coordination of operational security staff (including staff deployed in the field/third countries) and security contractors, providing them with training and written instructions;












6.


Supporting, in close cooperation with the protocol services, the security arrangements and necessary operational measures to ensure protection of VIPs during official visits at headquarters or as part of business trips in EU and non-EU locations;












7.


Dealing with security incidents and/or conflict situations arising inside the institutions’ buildings/premises;












8.


Reporting on security incidents or other security-related issues;












9.


Conducting security investigations/enquiries in the area of crime, public order, intelligence, terrorism, and IT and drafting reports with findings, lessons learned and recommendations to mitigate the risks;












10.


Implementing the necessary protection measures related to the access to the premises and work places of the EU institutions;












11.


Liaising with local, national, and international stakeholders in security-related matters;












12.


Assisting in periodic inspections of buildings and/or of other assets; applying and/or adjusting agreed security measures and reporting on activities and possible irregularities found during inspections;












13.


Participating in the administrative, contractual and financial circuit related to operational security; providing administrative and logistical assistance in the field of operational security;












14.


Contributing to security-related procurement procedures, in particular, drafting technical specifications and participating in tender evaluation committees;












15.


Contributing to setting up, managing and delivering security-related training for staff members, including management;












16.


Taking part in communication and awareness-raising activities and events around security issues;












17.


Taking part in testing and in the procedures of acceptance of installations;












18.


Working with security systems and applications (access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, radio communication, etc.) and monitoring their operation, including the technical operation of security installations, within a shift work team role (24/7/365) in a dispatching center;












19.


Conducting background checks in the context of events organised in the place of work of the EU institutions;












20.


Assisting and giving advice in the context of security verifications and in the process of granting personal security clearances;












21.


Conducting threat, risk, and vulnerability assessments.





Field 2 — technical security









1.


Contributing to the design of the overall security concept;












2.


Participating in the formulation and development of minimum technical security standards, requirements, and specifications;












3.


Contributing to the provision of technical advice for the enforcement of security policies and guidelines;












4.


Contributing to the management, promotion, improvement and respect of the technical security measures and installations in the buildings of the institutions; providing feedback whenever necessary along with proposals for improvement;












5.


Contributing to the preparation and implementation of projects related to technical security systems, including carrying out building upkeep and maintenance (assessing needs, ensuring multiannual planning, tenders, budget supervision, supervising works, organising inspections, etc.);












6.


Assisting in coordinating security and logistical engineering activities;












7.


Contributing to the installation and support of technical security measures and installations, counter-measures, secure devices, and related software;












8.


Participating in the operation, inspection and preventive maintenance of technical security installations, including secure IT systems;












9.


Assisting in supervising technical security activities and projects carried out by internal and external parties;












10.


Taking part in reporting on security systems’ key performance indicators;












11.


Ensuring the respect of institutions’ access policy rules in access management by external contractors;












12.


Contributing to security risk analysis;












13.


Taking part in technical security counter-measure actions to prevent eavesdropping;












14.


Contributing to the design and follow up of safe/secure speech rooms;












15.


Assisting in planning and participating in public procurement procedures, including drafting of technical specifications and quality control of deliverables and/or works;












16.


Managing contracts with external contractors in the field of technical security;












17.


Contributing to the conception and management of projects related to technical security installations (CCTV, access control, interphones, public address, X-ray, itemisers, etc.);












18.


Drafting and implementing specifications for physical security protection, for example fences, building facades, strong rooms (‘safe havens’), control rooms, security check points;












19.


Contributing to the conception and management of projects related to IT networks for security systems (structure, securisation, etc.);












20.


Contributing to setting up, managing and delivering training related to technical security for staff members, including management;












21.


Taking part in communication activities and events around technical security issues;












22.


Assisting with the above-mentioned activities carried out at the EU delegations around the world.





Field 3 — occupational health and safety









1.


Contributing to the development of policies as well as drafting of guidelines, operational procedures, opinions, recommendations, and specifications on various aspects of occupational health and safety, such as hazard identification and prevention, physical and mental health, hygiene, ergonomics, accessibility, etc. This also includes review of policies and rules as needed;












2.


Assisting in maintaining the health and safety management system;












3.


Assisting in the application and in the monitoring of implementation of policies and rules in the field of occupational health and safety;












4.


Taking part in risk assessments in relation to all areas of occupational health and safety, in particular: fire prevention, safety and hygiene at work, ergonomics, physical work environment, and psychosocial risks. Proposing prevention measures and safety solutions;












5.


Assisting in taking the necessary measures and in coordinating actions in the areas of fire protection, first-aid, technical safety of buildings, hygiene, physical and mental health, ergonomics or any other work-related area;












6.


Contributing to the prevention of and follow-up to any incidents and accidents related to health, safety, and hygiene at work;












7.


Assisting in drafting technical specifications for tenders, participating in procurement procedures and in contract management;












8.


Assisting in liaising with contractors and with the national, European or international health and safety authorities on issues relating to health, safety, and hygiene at work;












9.


Assisting in co-ordinating and monitoring activities specific to building safety;












10.


Assisting in the conception and management of projects in the field of workplace safety to address specific safety aspects such as ergonomics, electrical installations/cabling, construction works, fire prevention, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), etc.;












11.


Assisting in setting up, managing and delivering health and safety related training for staff members, including management;












12.


Assisting in communication activities and events around health, safety, and hygiene issues;












13.


Assisting in the secretariat of the joint advisory committees for prevention and protection at work in Brussels and Luxembourg (organisation of meetings, agenda, minutes, monitoring requests, liaising with members, etc.).




End of ANNEX I, click here to return to main text





ANNEX II
Examples of minimum qualifications per Member State and the United Kingdom and per grade corresponding, in principle, to those required by the notices of competition
Please click here for an easy-to-read version of these examples









COUNTRY


AST-SC 1 to AST-SC 6
AST 1 to AST 7


AST 3 to AST 11


AD 5 to AD 16




Secondary education (giving access to post-secondary education)


Post-secondary education (non-university higher education course or short university course lasting at least 2 years)


University-level education (lasting at least 3 years)


University-level education (4 years or more)




Belgique — België — Belgien


Certificat de l’enseignement secondaire supérieur (CESS)/Diploma secundair onderwijs
Diplôme d’aptitude à accéder à l’enseignement supérieur (DAES)/Getuigschrift van hoger secundair onderwijs
Diplôme d’enseignement professionnel/Getuigschrift van het beroepssecundair onderwijs


Candidature/Kandidaat
Graduat/Gegradueerde
Bachelor/Professioneel gerichte Bachelor


Bachelor académique (180 crédits)
Academisch gerichte Bachelor (180 ECTS)


Licence/Licentiaat
Master
Diplôme d’études approfondies (DEA)
Diplôme d’études spécialisées (DES)
Diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées (DESS)
Gediplomeerde in de Voortgezette Studies (GVS)
Gediplomeerde in de Gespecialiseerde Studies (GGS)
Gediplomeerde in de Aanvullende Studies (GAS)
Agrégation/Aggregaat
Ingénieur industriel/Industrieel ingenieur
Doctorat/Doctoraal diploma




България


Диплома за завършено средно образование


Специалист по …


 


Диплома за висше образование
Бакалавър
Магистър




Česko


Vysvědčení o maturitní zkoušce


Vysvědčení o absolutoriu (Absolutorium) + diplomovaný specialista (DiS.)


Diplom o ukončení bakalářského studia (Bakalář)


Diplom o ukončení vysokoškolského studia
Magistr
Doktor




Danmark


Bevis for:
Studentereksamen
Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF)
Højere Handelseksamen (HHX)
Højere Afgangseksamen (HA)
Bac pro: Bevis for Højere Teknisk Eksamen (HTX)


Videregående uddannelser
= Bevis for = Eksamensbevis som (erhvervsakademiuddannelse AK)


Bachelorgrad (BA eller BS)
Professionsbachelorgrad
Diplomingeniør


Kandidatgrad/Candidatus
Master/Magistergrad (mag.art)
Licenciatgrad
ph.d.-grad




Deutschland


Abitur/Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife
Fachabitur/Zeugnis der Fachhochschulreife


 


Fachhochschulabschluss
Bachelor


Hochschulabschluss/Fachhochschulabschluss/Master
Magister Artium/Magistra Artium
Staatsexamen/Diplom
Erstes Juristisches Staatsexamen
Doktorgrad




Eesti


Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus + riigieksamitunnistus
Lõputunnistus kutsekeskhariduse omandamise kohta


Tunnistus keskhariduse baasil kutsekeskhariduse omandamise kohta


Bakalaureusekraad (min 120 ainepunkti)
Bakalaureusekraad (< 160 ainepunkti)


Rakenduskõrghariduse diplom
Bakalaureusekraad (160 ainepunkti)
Magistrikraad
Arstikraad
Hambaarstikraad
Loomaarstikraad
Filosoofiadoktor
Doktorikraad (120–160 ainepunkti)




Éire/Ireland


Ardteistiméireacht, Grád D3, I 5 ábhar/Leaving Certificate Grade D3 in 5 subjects
Gairmchlár na hArdteistiméireachta (GCAT)/Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)


Teastas Náisiúnta/National Certificate
Gnáthchéim bhaitsiléara/Ordinary bachelor degree
Dioplóma náisiúnta (ND, Dip.)/National diploma (ND, Dip.)
Ardteastas (120 ECTS)/Higher Certificate (120 ECTS)


Céim onóracha bhaitsiléara (3 bliana/180 ECTS) (BA, B.Sc, B.Eng)/Honours bachelor degree (3 years/180 ECTS) (BA, B.Sc, B.Eng)


Céim onóracha bhaitsiléara (4 bliana/240 ECTS)/Honours bachelor degree (4 years/240 ECTS)
Céim ollscoile/University degree
Céim mháistir (60-120 ECTS)/Master’s degree (60-120 ECTS)
Dochtúireacht/Doctorate




Ελλάδα


Απολυτήριο Γενικού Λυκείου Απολυτήριο Κλασικού Λυκείου
Απολυτήριο Τεχνικού Επαγγελματικού Λυκείου
Απολυτήριο Ενιαίου Πολυκλαδικού Λυκείου
Απολυτήριο Ενιαίου Λυκείου
Απολυτήριο Τεχνολογικού Επαγγελματικού Εκπαιδευτηρίου


Δίπλωμα επαγγελματικής κατάρτισης (IΕΚ)


 


Πτυχίο ΑΕI (πανεπιστημίου, πολυτεχνείου, ΤΕI)
Μεταπτυχιακό Δίπλωμα Ειδίκευσης (2ος κύκλος)
Διδακτορικό Δίπλωμα (3ος κύκλος)




España


Bachillerato + Curso de Orientación Universitaria (COU)
Bachillerato
BUP
Diploma de Técnico especialista


FP grado superior (Técnico superior)


Diplomado/Ingeniero técnico


Licenciatura
Máster
Ingeniero
Título de Doctor




France


Baccalauréat
Diplôme d’accès aux études universitaires (DAEU)
Brevet de technicien


Diplôme d’études universitaires générales (DEUG)
Brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS)
Diplôme universitaire de technologie (DUT)
Diplôme d’études universitaires scientifiques et techniques (DEUST)


Licence


Maîtrise
Maîtrise des sciences et techniques (MST), maîtrise des sciences de gestion (MSG), diplôme d’études supérieures techniques (DEST), diplôme de recherche technologique (DRT), diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées (DESS), diplôme d’études approfondies (DEA), master 1, master 2 professionnel, master 2 recherche
Diplôme des grandes écoles
Diplôme d’ingénieur
Doctorat




Hrvatska


Svjedodžba o državnoj maturi
Svjedodžba o završnom ispitu


Stručni pristupnik/pristupnica


Baccalaureus/Baccalaurea (sveučilišni prvostupnik/prvostupnica)


Baccalaureus/Baccalaurea (sveučilišni prvostupnik/prvostupnica)
Stručni specijalist
Magistar struke
Magistar inženjer/magistrica inženjerka (mag. ing)
Doktor struke
Doktor umjetnosti




Italia


Diploma di maturità (vecchio ordinamento)
Perito ragioniere
Diploma di superamento dell’esame di Stato conclusivo dei corsi di studio di istruzione secondaria superiore


Diploma universitario (DU)
Certificato di specializzazione tecnica superiore
Attestato di competenza (4 semestri)


Diploma di laurea — L (breve)


Diploma di laurea (DL)
Laurea specialistica (LS)
Master di I livello
Dottorato di ricerca (DR)




Κύπρος


Απολυτήριο


Δίπλωμα = Programmes offered by Public/Private Schools of Higher Education (for the latter accreditation is compulsory)
Higher Diploma


 


Πανεπιστημιακό Πτυχίο/Bachelor
Master
Doctorat




Latvija


Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību


Diploms par pirmā līmeņa profesionālo augstāko izglītību


Bakalaura diploms (min. 120 kredītpunktu)


Bakalaura diploms (160 kredītpunktu)
Profesionālā bakalaura diploms
Maģistra diploms
Profesionālā maģistra diploms
Doktora grāds




Lietuva


Brandos atestatas


Aukštojo mokslo diplomas
Aukštesniojo mokslo diplomas


Profesinio bakalauro diplomas
Aukštojo mokslo diplomas


Aukštojo mokslo diplomas
Bakalauro diplomas
Magistro diplomas
Daktaro diplomas
Meno licenciato diplomas




Luxembourg


Diplôme de fin d’études secondaires et techniques


BTS
Brevet de maîtrise
Brevet de technicien supérieur
Diplôme de premier cycle universitaire (DPCU)
Diplôme universitaire de technologie (DUT)


Bachelor
Diplôme d’ingénieur technicien


Master
Diplôme d’ingénieur industriel
DESS en droit européen




Magyarország


Gimnáziumi érettségi bizonyítvány
Szakközépiskolai érettségi-képesítő bizonyítvány


Felsőfokú szakképesítést igazoló bizonyítvány (Higher Vocational Programme)


Főiskolai oklevél
Alapfokozat (Bachelor degree 180 credits)


Egyetemi oklevél
Alapfokozat (Bachelor degree 240 credits)
Mesterfokozat (Master degree) (Osztatlan mesterképzés)
Doktori fokozat




Malta


Advanced Matriculation or GCE Advanced level in 3 subjects (2 of them grade C or higher)
Matriculation certificate (2 subjects at Advanced level and 4 at Intermediate level including Systems of Knowledge with overall grade A-C) + Passes in the Secondary Education Certificate examination at Grade 5
2 A Levels (passes A-C) + a number of subjects at Ordinary level, or equivalent


MCAST diplomas/certificates
Higher National Diploma


Bachelor’s degree


Bachelor’s degree
Master of Arts
Doctorate




Nederland


Diploma VWO
Diploma staatsexamen (2 diploma’s)
Diploma staatsexamen voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs (Diploma staatsexamen VWO)
Diploma staatsexamen hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs (Diploma staatsexamen HAVO)


Kandidaatsexamen
Associate degree (AD)


Bachelor (WO)
HBO bachelor degree
Baccalaureus of «Ingenieur»


HBO/WO Master’s degree
Doctoraal examen/Doctoraat




Österreich


Matura/Reifeprüfung
Reife- und Diplomprüfung
Berufsreifeprüfung


Kollegdiplom/Akademiediplom


Fachhochschuldiplom/Bakkalaureus/Bakkalaurea


Universitätsdiplom
Fachhochschuldiplom
Magister/Magistra
Master
Diplomprüfung, Diplom-Ingenieur
Magisterprüfungszeugnis Rigorosenzeugnis
Doktortitel




Polska


Świadectwo dojrzałości
Świadectwo ukończenia liceum ogólnokształcącego


Dyplom ukończenia kolegium nauczycielskiego
Świadectwo ukończenia szkoły policealnej


Licencjat/Inżynier


Magister/Magister inżynier
Dyplom doktora




Portugal


Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Certificado de Habilitações do Ensino Secundário


 


Bacharel Licenciado


Licenciado
Mestre
Doutorado




România


Diplomă de bacalaureat


Diplomă de absolvire (colegiu universitar)
Învățământ preuniversitar


Diplomă de licenţă


Diplomă de licenţă
Diplomă de inginer
Diplomă de urbanist
Diplomă de master
Certificat de atestare (studii academice postuniversitare)
Diplomă de doctor




Slovenija


Maturitetno spričevalo (spričevalo o poklicni maturi) (spričevalo o zaključnem izpitu)


Diploma višje strokovne šole


Diploma o pridobljeni visoki strokovni izobrazbi


Univerzitetna diploma
Magisterij
Specializacija
Doktorat




Slovensko


Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške


Absolventský diplom


Diplom o ukončení bakalárskeho štúdia (Bakalár)


Diplom o ukončení vysokoškolského štúdia
Bakalár (Bc.)
Magister
Magister/Inžinier
ArtD.




Suomi/Finland


Ylioppilastutkinto tai peruskoulu + kolmen vuoden ammatillinen koulutus – Studentexamen eller grundskola + treårig yrkesinriktad utbildning
Todistus yhdistelmäopinnoista (Betyg över kombinationsstudier)


Ammatillinen opistoasteen tutkinto – Yrkesexamen på institutnivå


Kandidaatin tutkinto – Kandidatexamen/Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto – Yrkeshögskoleexamen (min. 120 opintoviikkoa – studieveckor)


Maisterin tutkinto – Magisterexamen/Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto – Yrkeshögskoleexamen (min. 160 opintoviikkoa – studieveckor)
Tohtorin tutkinto (Doktorsexamen) joko 4 vuotta tai 2 vuotta lisensiaatin tutkinnon jälkeen – antingen 4 år eller 2 år efter licentiatexamen
Lisensiaatti/Licentiat




Sverige


Slutbetyg från gymnasieskolan (3-årig gymnasial utbildning)


Högskoleexamen (80 poäng)
Högskoleexamen, 2 år, 120 högskolepoäng
Yrkeshögskoleexamen/Kvalificerad yrkeshögskoleexamen, 1–3 år


Kandidatexamen (akademisk examen omfattande minst 120 poäng, varav 60 poäng fördjupade studier i ett ämne + uppsats motsvarande 10 poäng)
Meriter på grundnivå: Kandidatexamen, 3 år, 180 högskolepoäng (Bachelor)


Magisterexamen (akademisk examen omfattande minst 160 poäng, varav 80 poäng fördjupade studier i ett ämne + uppsats motsvarande 20 poäng eller två uppsatser motsvarande 10 poäng vardera)






—


Licentiatexamen










—


Doktorsexamen




Meriter på avancerad nivå:






—


Magisterexamen, 1 år, 60 högskolepoäng










—


Masterexamen, 2 år, 120 högskolepoäng




Meriter på forskarnivå:






—


Licentiatexamen, 2 år, 120 högskolepoäng










—


Doktorsexamen, 4 år, 240 högskolepoäng








United Kingdom


General Certificate of Education Advanced level — 2 passes or equivalent (grades A to E)
BTEC National Diploma
General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ), advanced level
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education, A level (VCE A level)


Higher National Diploma/Certificate (BTEC)/SCOTVEC
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ)
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) level 4


(Honours) Bachelor degree
NB: Master’s degree in Scotland


Honours Bachelor degree
Master’s degree (MA, MB, MEng, MPhil, MSc)
Doctorate





NOTE:

UK diplomas awarded in 2020 (until 31 December 2020) are accepted without an equivalence. UK diplomas awarded as from 1 January 2021 must be accompanied by an equivalence issued by a competent authority of an EU Member State.




End of ANNEX II, click here to return to main text





ANNEX III
General rules governing open competitions

GENERAL INFORMATION

Any reference, in the framework of selection procedures organised by EPSO, to a person of a specific gender must be deemed also to constitute a reference to a person of any other gender.
Where candidates tie for the last available place at any stage of the competition, they will all go through to the next stage of the competition. Any re-admitted candidates following a successful appeal will also be invited to the next stage.
Where candidates tie for the last available place on the reserve list, they will all be included on the reserve list. Any re-admitted candidates following a successful appeal at this stage of the procedure will also be added to the reserve list.
1.   WHO CAN APPLY?

1.1.   General and specific conditions

The general and specific conditions (including knowledge of languages) for each field or profile are indicated in the section ‘Am I eligible?’.
Specific conditions regarding qualifications, professional experience and knowledge of languages vary depending on the profile requested. In your application, you should include as much information as possible regarding your qualifications and professional experience (where required) as described in the section ‘Am I eligible?’ of this notice 
that is relevant to the duties
.






(a)



Diplomas and/or certificates: Diplomas, whether issued in EU or non-EU countries, must be recognised by an official EU Member State body, e.g. an EU Member State’s education ministry. The Selection Board will allow for differences between education systems.
For post-secondary education and technical, professional or specialist training, indicate the subjects covered, the duration and whether it was full-time, part-time or an evening class.










(b)



Professional experience (if required) will be taken into account only if it is relevant to the required duties and:






—


constitutes genuine and effective work;










—


is remunerated;










—


involves a subordinate relationship or the supply of a service; and










—


subject to the following conditions:






—



voluntary work: if remunerated and involving similar weekly hours and duration to a regular job;










—



traineeships: if remunerated;










—



compulsory military service: completed before or after the required diploma for a period not exceeding the statutory duration in your Member State;










—



maternity/paternity/adoption leave: if covered by an employment contract;










—



doctorate: for a maximum of three years, provided the doctorate was actually obtained, and whether or not the work was remunerated; and










—



part-time work: calculated pro rata on the basis of the number of hours worked, e.g. half-time for six months would count as three months.












1.2.   Supporting documents

At different steps of the selection procedure, you will need to provide an official document proving your citizenship (e.g. passport or identity card) which must be valid on the closing date of your application (closing date of the first part of your application in the case of a 2-part application scenario).
All periods of professional activity must be covered by originals or certified photocopies of:






—



documents from former and current employer(s) stating the nature and level of duties performed, and start and end dates, with the official header and stamp of the company, and the name and signature of the person in charge; or










—



employment contract(s) and first and last pay slips, with a detailed description of the duties performed;










—


(for non-salaried work, e.g. self-employed, liberal professions) invoices or order forms detailing the work performed or any other relevant official supporting documents;










—


(for conference interpreters where professional experience is required) documents attesting the number of days, and languages interpreted from and into, relating specifically to conference interpreting.




In general, no supporting documents are required to prove your knowledge of languages, except for some linguist or specialist profiles.
You may be asked for additional information or documents at any stage of the procedure. EPSO will inform you of what supporting documents you need to provide and when.
1.3.   Equal opportunities and reasonable accommodations

If you have a disability or a medical condition that may hinder your ability to sit the tests, please indicate this in your application form and let us know the type of reasonable accommodation you need. If a disability or condition develops after you have validated your application, you must inform EPSO as soon as possible using the information indicated below.
Please note that you will have to send a certificate from your national authority or a medical certificate to EPSO in order for your request to be taken into consideration. Your supporting documents will be examined, so that reasonable accommodation can be made where required.
Should you encounter any accessibility issues, or should you require more information, please contact the EPSO-accessibility team by:






—


e-mail (EPSO-accessibility@ec.europa.eu); or










—


post:





European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)




EPSO ACCESSIBILITY




L107 02/DCS




1049 Bruxelles/Brussel




BELGIQUE/BELGIË








2.   BY WHOM WILL I BE ASSESSED?

A Selection Board is appointed to compare candidates and select the best ones on the basis of their competencies, aptitudes and qualifications in the light of the requirements set out in this notice of competition. Its members also decide on the difficulty of the competition tests and approve their content on the basis of proposals made by EPSO.
To ensure the Selection Board’s independence, it is strictly forbidden for candidates or anyone outside the board to attempt to contact any of its members, except in the context of tests which require direct interaction between the candidates and the board.
Candidates who wish to state their case or assert their rights must do so in writing, addressing their correspondence intended for a Selection Board to EPSO, which will pass it on to the board. Any direct or indirect intervention by candidates that does not comply with these procedures is forbidden and may result in disqualification from the competition.
The existence of a family relationship or a hierarchical link between a candidate and a Selection Board member, in particular, gives rise to a conflict of interest. Selection Boards are asked to declare any such situations to EPSO immediately when they become aware of them. EPSO will evaluate each case individually and take the appropriate measures. The non-respect of the above mentioned rules could make Selection Board members liable to disciplinary action and result in disqualification from the competition for candidates (see section 4.4).
The names of the Selection Board members are published on the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en) before the beginning of the assessment centre/phase.
3.   COMMUNICATION

3.1.   Communication with EPSO

You should consult your EPSO account at least twice a week to keep track of your progress during the competition. If you are prevented from doing so because of a technical problem on EPSO’s side, you must notify EPSO immediately and exclusively via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category).
EPSO reserves the right not to supply information that is already clearly stated in this notice of competition, its annexes or on the EPSO website, including under ‘frequently asked questions’.
In all correspondence relating to an application, please mention your name as given in your EPSO account, your application number and the reference number of the selection procedure.
EPSO reserves the right to cease any improper (i.e. repetitive, abusive and/or irrelevant) correspondence.
3.2.   Access to information

Candidates have specific rights of access to certain information concerning them individually, granted in the light of the obligation to state reasons, in order to allow for an appeal against rejection decisions.
This obligation to state reasons must be balanced with the confidentiality of the Selection Board proceedings, which ensures the boards’ independence and the objectivity of the selection. Due to confidentiality, attitudes adopted by members of Selection Boards regarding the individual or comparative assessments of candidates cannot be disclosed.
These access rights are specific to candidates in an open competition and legislation on public access to documents may not confer on them rights broader than those specified in this section.
3.2.1.   Automatic disclosure

You will automatically receive the following information via your EPSO account after each stage of the selection process organised for a given competition:






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MCQ tests: your results and a grid with your answers and the correct answers by reference number/letter. Access to the text of the questions and answers is explicitly excluded;










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eligibility: whether you were admitted; if not, the eligibility conditions that were not met;










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Talent Screener: your results and a grid with the question weightings, the points awarded for your answers and your total score;










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preliminary tests: your results;










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intermediate tests: your results if you are not amongst the candidates invited to the next phase;










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assessment centre/phase: if you are not disqualified, your competency passport showing your overall marks for each competency and the Selection Board’s comment providing quantitative and qualitative feedback on your performance at the assessment centre/phase.




As a rule, EPSO does not communicate to candidates any source texts or test assignments, as these are intended for re-use in future competitions. For certain tests, however, it may exceptionally publish the source texts or assignments on its website if:






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the tests have been completed;










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the results have been established and communicated to candidates; and










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the source texts/assignments are not intended for reuse in future competitions.




3.2.2.   Information on request

You may request an uncorrected copy of your answers in written tests where the content is not intended for reuse in future competitions. This explicitly excludes answers to e-tray exercises and case studies.
Your corrected answer papers and the details of the marking, in particular, are covered by the secrecy of Selection Board proceedings and will not be disclosed.
EPSO endeavours to make as much information available to candidates as possible, in accordance with the obligation to state reasons, the confidential nature of Selection Board proceedings and the rules on the protection of personal data. All requests for information will be evaluated in light of these obligations.
Any requests for information should be submitted via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category) within 10 calendar days of the day your results were published in your EPSO account.
4.   COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES

4.1.   Technical and organisational issues

If, at any stage of the selection procedure, you encounter a serious technical or organisational problem, in order to allow us to investigate the issue and take corrective measures, please inform EPSO, exclusively via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category).
In all correspondence, please mention your name (as given in your EPSO account), your application number and the reference number of the selection procedure.

If the problem occurs at a test centre or during remote testing, please:






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alert the invigilators immediately so that a solution can be investigated. In any case, ask them to record your complaint in writing; and










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contact EPSO no later than 3 calendar days after your tests via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category) with a brief description of the problem.




For problems occurring outside test centres (e.g. issues with test booking, or technical issues during remote testing before you are connected to an invigilator), please follow the instructions in your EPSO account and on EPSO’s website and contact EPSO immediately via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category).
For issues with your application, you must contact EPSO immediately and in any case before the deadline for applications via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category). Queries sent less than 5 working days before the deadline for applications might not be answered before the deadline.
4.2.   Internal review procedures

4.2.1.   Error in the computer-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

The MCQ database is subject to permanent in-depth quality control by EPSO and Selection Boards.
If you believe that an error in one or more of the MCQs affected your ability to answer, you are entitled to ask for the question(s) to be reviewed by the Selection Board (under the ‘neutralisation’ procedure).
Under this procedure, the Selection Board may decide to cancel the question containing the error and to redistribute the points among the remaining questions of the test. Only those candidates who received that question will be affected by the recalculation. The marking of the tests remains as indicated in the relevant sections of this notice of competition.
Arrangements for complaints about the MCQ tests are as follows:






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procedure: please contact EPSO only via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category);










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deadline: within 3 calendar days of the date of your computer-based tests;










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additional information: describe what the question was about (content) in order to identify the question(s) concerned, and explain the nature of the alleged error as clearly as possible.





Complaints received after the deadline or that do not clearly describe the contested question(s) and alleged error will not be taken into account.

In particular, complaints merely pointing out alleged issues of translation, and which do not clearly specify the problem, will not be taken into account.

The same review procedure applies with regard to errors in the e-tray exercise.

4.2.2.   Requests for review

You can request a review of any decision taken by the Selection Board or EPSO that establishes your results and/or determines whether you can proceed to the next stage of the competition or are excluded.
Requests for review may be based on:






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a material irregularity in the competition process; and/or










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non-compliance, by the Selection Board or EPSO, with the Staff Regulations (1), the notice of competition, its annexes and/or case law.




Please note that you are not allowed to challenge the validity of the Selection Board’s assessment of the quality of your performance in a test or the relevance of your qualifications and professional experience. This assessment is a value judgment made by the board and your disagreement with the board’s evaluation of your tests, experience and/or qualifications does not prove that it has made an error. Requests for review submitted on this basis will not lead to a positive outcome.
Arrangements for requests for review are as follows:






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procedure: please contact EPSO only via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category);










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deadline: within 10 calendar days of the date on which the contested decision was published in your EPSO account;










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additional information: indicate clearly the decision you wish to contest and on what grounds.





Requests received after the deadline will not be taken into account.

You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt within 15 working days. The body which took the contested decision (either the Selection Board or EPSO) will analyse and decide on your request and you will receive a reasoned reply as soon as possible.

If the outcome is positive, you will be re-entered in the selection process at the stage at which you were excluded, regardless of how far the competition has progressed in the meantime.
4.3.   Other forms of contestation

4.3.1.   Administrative complaints

As a candidate in an open competition, you have the right to address an administrative complaint to the Director of EPSO acting as the appointing authority.
You may submit a complaint against a decision, or lack thereof, that directly and immediately affects your legal status as a candidate, only if the rules governing the selection procedure have clearly been infringed. The Director of EPSO cannot overturn a value judgment made by a Selection Board (see section 4.2.2).
Arrangements for administrative complaints are as follows:






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procedure: please contact EPSO only via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/en/epso-faqs-by-category);










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deadline: within three months of notification of the contested decision or of the date by which a decision should have been made;










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additional information: indicate clearly the decision you wish to contest and on what grounds.





Complaints received after the deadline will not be taken into account.

4.3.2.   Judicial appeals

As a candidate in an open competition, you have the right to submit a judicial appeal to the General Court, under Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations.
Note that appeals against decisions taken by EPSO rather than by the Selection Board will not be admissible before the General Court unless an administrative complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations has first been made (see section 4.3.1). In particular, this is the case with the decisions concerning the general eligibility criteria, which are taken by EPSO not the Selection Board.
Arrangements for judicial appeals are as follows:






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procedure: please consult the website of the General Court (https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/).




4.3.3.   European Ombudsman

All EU citizens and residents can make a complaint to the European Ombudsman.

Before you submit a complaint to the Ombudsman, you must first make the appropriate administrative approaches to the institutions and bodies concerned (see sections 4.1-4.3).
Making a complaint to the Ombudsman does not extend the deadlines for lodging administrative complaints or judicial appeals.
Arrangements for complaints to the Ombudsman are as follows:






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procedure: please consult the website of the European Ombudsman (https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/home).




4.4.   Disqualification from the selection procedure

You may be disqualified at any stage in a selection procedure if EPSO finds that you:






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have created more than one EPSO account;










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have applied to incompatible fields or profiles;










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do not meet all the eligibility conditions;










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made false declarations or declarations unsupported by the appropriate documents;










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did not reply to any of the Talent Screener questions;










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have not complied with the terms and conditions for the tests organised remotely;










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have failed to book or sit one or more of your tests;










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have cheated during the tests;










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did not declare in your application form the languages required in this notice of competition, or did not declare the minimum level(s) required for those languages;










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attempted to contact a member of the Selection Board in an unauthorised manner;










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failed to inform EPSO of a possible conflict of interest with a Selection Board member;










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submitted your application in a language other than that/those specified in this notice of competition (allowances may be made regarding the use of another language for proper nouns, official titles and job titles as indicated in the supporting documents or labels/titles of diplomas); and/or










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signed or wrote a distinctive mark on anonymously marked written or practical tests.




Furthermore, if you did not participate in the connectivity trial but subsequently took part in remote tests and experience connectivity issues, EPSO reserves the right not to reschedule your test.
Candidates for recruitment by the EU institutions must show the highest possible integrity. Fraud or attempted fraud may render you liable to penalty and compromise your eligibility for future competitions.
5.   SECURITY CLEARANCE

Staff handling sensitive and classified information requiring a high degree of confidentiality (‘EU classified’ information) must have the appropriate level of security authorisation.
Consequently, successful candidates in a competition may be asked, for certain posts, to hold or be in a position to obtain in due time, a valid personnel security clearance certificate.
This might imply that, as a pre-requisite for recruitment to certain posts, the successful candidates might be required to undergo the security clearance procedure which is carried out by the national competent authority in the Member State of their nationality.
Candidates are advised to inform themselves about the procedure before applying to this competition.
Such requirements will be clearly indicated in the vacancy notice for the post concerned.
6.   DATA PROTECTION

Your personal data is processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2).
See also the specific privacy statement on personal data protection within the framework of an open competition (3).
End of ANNEX III, click here to return to main text


(1)  Regulation No 31 (EEC), 11 (EAEC), laying down the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ 45, 14.6.1962, p. 1385/62). Consolidated text: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01962R0031-20220101

(2)  Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).

(3)  https://epso.europa.eu/en/protection-your-personal-data