20

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

Deadline (including validation): 9 December 2014 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time.

2.1

Qualifications

A level of education corresponding to completed university studies in law of at least three years, attested by a diploma,

or

a level of education corresponding to completed university studies of at least three years in another field, which must be accompanied by certified training in data protection (IAPP, EIPA, GDD or equivalent, attested by an exam).

2.2

Professional experience

You must have at least three years’ graduate-level professional experience in the legal field, of which at least half must have been primarily focused on data protection in public administration (in particular, as a data protection officer or in an independent data protection monitoring authority). This experience must be attested by supporting documents.

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

2.3

Knowledge of languages  (3)

Language 1

Main language (minimum level required: C1)

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

Language 2

Second language — must be different from language 1 (minimum level required: B2)

A satisfactory knowledge of English, French or German.

In the light of the judgment handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Union (Grand Chamber) in Case C-566/10 P, Italy v Commission, the EU institutions set out below the reasons for limiting the choice of the second language in this competition to a small number of official EU languages.

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 handling 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, i.e. that they have a command of at least one of these languages. Consequently, in balancing the interests of the service and the abilities of candidates, and given the particular field of this competition, it is legitimate to organise tests in these 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. Moreover, this ensures consistency when comparing candidates and examining their applications.

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.

You will be invited to sit the tests if you have validated your application on time (see Section I.2).

NB:

A series of tests comprising multiple-choice questions to assess your reasoning skills:

Test (a)

Verbal reasoning

Marking: out of 20

Pass mark: 10

Test (b)

Numerical reasoning

Marking: out of 10

Test (c)

Abstract reasoning

Marking: out of 10

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

Language 1

If you are one of the candidates:

If you are invited to the assessment centre, you must bring your full application file (signed online application form and supporting documents) with you when you attend (7).

Details: see point 2.1.7 of the General rules governing open competitions.

You will sit three types of assessment tests, the content of which is validated by the selection board.

Case study

Group exercise

Structured interview

Analysis and problem-solving

x

x

Communicating

x

x

Delivering quality and results

x

x

Learning and development

x

x

Prioritising and organising

x

x

Resilience

x

x

Working with others

x

x

Leadership

x

x

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

Language 2 for parts (d), (e), (f) and (g)

Reasoning ability

Tests (a), (b), and (c) are eliminatory, but the marks are not added to the marks for the other parts of the assessment centre.

Specific competencies (d)

Marked out of 100

Pass mark: 50

Weighting: 55 % of the overall mark

General competencies (parts (e), (f) and (g))

Marked out of a total of 80 for all general competencies (10 per competency).

Pass mark:

3 for each competency, and

an aggregate of 40 out of 80 for all eight general competencies

Weighting: 45 % of the overall mark

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

The list will be drawn up in alphabetical order.