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Document C2021/120A/01

Notice of open competition – EPSO/AD/391/21 – Experts in technical support to Member States’ structural reforms and experts in the Schengen acquis (AD 7)

PUB/2021/245

OJ C 120A, 8.4.2021, p. 1–28 (BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, GA, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)

8.4.2021   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 120/1


NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION

EPSO/AD/391/21 – EXPERTS IN TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO MEMBER STATES’ STRUCTURAL REFORMS AND EXPERTS IN THE SCHENGEN ACQUIS (AD 7)

(2021/C 120 A/01)

Deadline for registration: 11 May 2021 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising an open competition, based on qualifications and tests, to draw up two reserve lists from which mainly the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) and the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) of the European Commission may recruit new members of the civil service as ‘ administrators’ (function group AD).

This Notice of competition and its annexes form the binding legal framework for this selection procedure.

Please see ANNEX III for the general rules governing open competitions.

Number of successful candidates sought:

1.

Structural reform support: 45

2.

Schengen acquis: 25

This Notice covers two fields. You may only apply to one. You must make your choice when you apply online and you will not be able to change it after you have validated your online application form.

Throughout the selection procedure, you will be invited to sit several tests, as indicated in this notice of competition. EPSO will ensure that the conditions under which you sit such 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).

WHAT TASKS CAN I EXPECT TO PERFORM?

(1)    Structural reform support

The Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support will be the main recruiter for this field of the competition. Recruited experts will be in charge of the design, implementation and evaluation of technical support projects, with the aim of supporting administrative and structural reforms in Member States, in the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Public administration

Judicial system

Financial sector

Public revenue administration

Expenditure management

Business environment

Energy and climate sector

Environment sector

Education sector

Health sector

Social welfare systems

Digitalisation

As a structural reform expert, you will be expected to be immediately operational and to demonstrate a high level of expertise in the reform in one or more of the abovementioned areas/sectors. You will also have to demonstrate the capacity to provide advice and support for the design, implementation and evaluation of reforms to public administrations.

(2)    Schengen acquis

The Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs will be the main recruiter for this field of the competition. Recruited experts will have to demonstrate relevant legal, policy or practical expertise and knowledge, and will be in charge of the design, implementation and evaluation of the Schengen acquis in Member States, with the aim of reinforcing the legal and policy framework in place, in the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Integrated border management

External border management

Police cooperation in the field of implementation of the Schengen acquis

Visa policy

Large-scale information systems for border, migration and security, their interoperability and automation of border controls

Migration management sector, including return

As a ‘Schengen expert’, you will be expected to be immediately operational and to demonstrate a high level of expertise in one or more of the abovementioned areas/sectors. You will have to be able to provide advice and support, often under tight deadlines, for the design, implementation and evaluation of policy in the context of possible reforms of the Schengen acquis. As part of your tasks, you will be expected to carry out frequent missions to the Member States to perform on-site evaluations or to participate in meetings with Member States and EU agencies.

Please see ANNEX I for more information about the typical duties to be performed.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

You must meet ALL of the following general and specific conditions on the closing date for online applications:

(1)    General conditions

Enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State of the EU

Meet any obligations under national laws on military service

Meet the character requirements for the duties concerned

(2)    Specific conditions — languages

You must have knowledge of at least two official EU languages; one at minimum C1 level (thorough knowledge) and the other at minimum B2 level (satisfactory knowledge).

Please note that the minimum levels required above must 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: https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168045bb52

In this Notice of Competition, we will refer to the languages as:

Language 1: language used for the computer-based Multiple-Choice Question tests;

Language 2: language used for the selection based on qualifications (Talent Screener) and for the assessment centre tests. This must be different from language 1.

Communication via the EPSO account between EPSO and the candidates who have submitted a valid application will take place in one of the languages they have declared in their application form at B2 level or higher.

Language 2 must be English or French.

This competition is being organised to respond to the needs of DG REFORM and DG HOME. Based on the reasons listed below, successful candidates recruited in these Directorate-generals must have satisfactory knowledge (minimum B2 level) of  English  or  French .

While knowledge of additional languages may be an advantage, DG REFORM and DG HOME mostly resort to English, and to a lesser extent to French, for analytical work, internal communication, as well as communication with external stakeholders, publications and reports, and legislation, as mentioned under ‘Duties’ in Annex I. When communicating with other institutions, DG REFORM and DG HOME also use these two languages in the main.

With this in mind, the following points on the languages used by DG REFORM and DG HOME staff should be emphasised:

English and French are the main languages when it comes to communication between the staff of these directorates-general, internal meetings or internal training sessions. English is also widely used for carrying out analytical work, communicating with external stakeholders, and for drafting publications, reports and legislative proposals. Staff also draft briefings and speeches mostly in English.

English and French are the main languages used by these two Directorate-Generals in meetings with other services of the Commission, in interservice consultations and in audit procedures;

Internal training sessions for newcomers are also held in English and French.

Staff can use languages other than English and French, for instance for country-specific work, and knowledge of other languages is considered an asset. However, laureates require knowledge of English or French to at least B2 level so they can carry out the tasks referred to in the relevant section of the Notice and in Annex I and be immediately operational following recruitment.

This is why, as regards point (4) of Section ‘HOW WILL I BE SELECTED’, English or French must be used for the selection based on qualifications (Talent Screener) and for the assessment centre tests. Besides, the Talent Screener is subject to a comparative assessment by the Selection Board. It is used as a reference document by the Board during the field-related interview at the assessment centre, and is used for recruitment purposes if a candidate is successful. It is therefore in the interest of the service and of the candidates that the Talent Screener is completed in language 2 (English or French).

(3)    Specific conditions — qualifications & work experience

A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least 4 years , attested by a diploma, followed by a minimum of 6 years’ professional experience directly related to the duties of the chosen field as indicated in Annex I,

or

a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least 3 years , attested by a diploma, followed by a minimum of 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the duties of the chosen field as indicated in Annex I.

Please see ANNEX IV for examples of minimum qualifications

HOW WILL I BE SELECTED?

(1)    Application process

When completing your application form, you will have to:

select a language 1 and a language 2

language 1 from among any of the 24 official EU languages; and

language 2 as English or French.

confirm your eligibility for the competition

provide further information relevant to the competition (for example: diplomas, work experience and answers to field-related questions (Talent Screener)).

You can select any of the 24 official EU languages when completing your application form, except for the Talent Screener section which must be completed in your language 2 (English or French) .

By validating your application form, you declare on your honour that you meet all the conditions mentioned under the section ‘Am I eligible to apply?’ Once you have validated your application form, you will no longer be able to make any changes. It is your responsibility to ensure that you complete and validate your application within the deadline.

(2)    Computer-based Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) tests

If the number of candidates exceeds a certain threshold for each field, as defined by the Director of EPSO acting as Appointing Authority, all candidates who validated their application form by the deadline will be invited to sit a series of computer-based MCQ tests either in one of EPSO’s accredited centres or remotely.

Unless instructed otherwise, you must book an appointment for the MCQ tests following the instructions received from EPSO. Typically, you will be offered several dates on which you can sit the tests, in various locations. The booking and testing periods are limited.

If the number of candidates is below the threshold , these tests will be held during the assessment centre (point 5) instead.

The computer-based MCQ tests will be organised as follows:

Tests

Language

Questions

Duration

Marking

Pass mark

Verbal reasoning

Language 1

20 questions

35 min

Out of 20

10/20

Numerical reasoning

Language 1

10 questions

20 min

Out of 10

Numerical + abstract combined: 10/20

Abstract reasoning

Language 1

10 questions

10 min

Out of 10

These tests are eliminatory and do not count towards the other tests held at the assessment centre.

(3)    Eligibility checks

The eligibility requirements laid down in the section ‘Am I eligible to apply?’ above will be checked against the data provided in candidates’ online applications. EPSO will check whether you meet the general eligibility conditions, while the Selection Board will check compliance with the specific eligibility conditions under the sections ‘Education and Training’ and ‘Professional Experience’ of the candidates’ online application, taking into account the duties indicated in Annex I.

There are two possible scenarios:

If the computer-based MCQ tests are organised upfront, the Selection Board will proceed with the eligibility checks of the files of the candidates who have obtained the pass marks in all the tests, as defined in the Notice of competition, and in descending order of the relevant marks obtained in those tests. The files will be checked until the number of eligible candidates reaches a certain threshold, defined by the director of EPSO acting as Appointing Authority prior to testing, and only those candidates will be invited to the next stage of the competition. The other files will not be checked.

If the computer-based MCQ tests are not organised upfront , the files of all candidates who validated their application form by the deadline will be checked for eligibility.

Please note that the candidates’ supporting documents will be checked at a later stage (cf point 6 below).

(4)    Selection based on qualifications (Talent Screener)

In order to allow the Selection Board to carry out an objective assessment of the comparative merits of all candidates in a structured way, all candidates in the same field of this competition must answer the same set of questions in the ‘Talent Screener’ section of the application form in language 2. The selection based on qualifications will be carried out, only for those candidates deemed eligible as described above in point 3, using solely the information provided in this Talent Screener section. You should therefore include all relevant information in your Talent Screener answers, even if already mentioned in other sections of your application form. The questions are based on the selection criteria included in this notice.

Please see ANNEX II for the list of criteria.

To carry out the selection based on qualifications, the Selection Board will first assign each selection criterion a weighting that reflects its relative importance (1 to 3) and each of the candidate’s responses will be awarded between 0 and 4 points. The points are multiplied by the weighting for each criterion and added up to identify those candidates whose profiles best match the duties to be performed.

Only the candidates with the highest total marks following the selection based on qualifications (Talent Screener) will go through to the next stage.

(5)    Assessment centre

A maximum of 3 times the number of successful candidates sought for each field will be invited to this phase. If you meet the eligibility requirements according to the data in your online application and if you scored one of the highest overall marks for the selection based on qualifications, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre (online or in-person) over one or several days in your language 2 (English or French) . Please note that the case study and the written test in the field may be organised either in one of EPSO’s accredited test centres or remotely. Further details and instructions will be included in your invitation letter.

If the computer-based MCQ tests described in point 2 were not organised upfront , you will sit them during the assessment centre phase either in one of EPSO’s accredited centres or remotely. These tests are eliminatory and the marks obtained will not be added to the marks of the other assessment centre tests in the calculation of your total score.

Unless instructed otherwise, you will have to upload scanned copies of your supporting documents to your EPSO account. Further details and instructions will be included in your invitation letter.

Eight general competencies, as well as the field-related competencies required for the competition, will be tested at the assessment centre through five tests (general competency-based interview, case study, situational competency-based interview, field-related interview and written test in the field) as described in the following matrices:

Competency

Tests

1.

Analysis and problem-solving

Situational competency-based interview

Case study

2.

Communication

Case study

General competency-based interview

3.

Delivering quality and results

Case study

General competency-based interview

4.

Learning and development

Situational competency-based interview

General competency-based interview

5.

Prioritising and organising

Situational competency-based interview

Case study

6.

Resilience

Situational competency-based interview

General competency-based interview

7.

Working with others

Situational competency-based interview

General competency-based interview

8.

Leadership

Situational competency-based interview

General competency-based interview

Pass marks: 3/10 per competency and 40/80 in total

Competency

Test

Pass mark

Field-related competencies

Field-related interview

25/50

Written test in the field

25/50

(6)    Reserve list

After checking candidates’ supporting documents against the information provided in their online application form, the Selection Board will draw up a reserve list for each field until the number of successful candidates sought is reached — of those eligible candidates who have obtained all pass marks as well as the highest overall marks following the assessment centre. Names will be listed alphabetically.

The reserve lists and the competency passports, giving qualitative feedback from the Selection Board, of successful candidates will be made available to the EU institutions for recruitment procedures and future career development. Inclusion on a reserve list does not confer any right to or guarantee of recruitment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SPECIAL ADJUSTMENTS

EPSO endeavours to apply equal opportunities, treatment and access to all candidates.

If you have a disability or a medical condition that may affect your ability to sit the tests, please indicate this in your application form and let us know the type of special adjustments you need.

Discover more about our equal opportunities policy and procedure to request special adjustments on our website (https://epso.europa.eu/how-to-apply/equal-opportunities_en) and in the General rules annexed to this notice (under point 1.3. Equal opportunities and special adjustments).

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I APPLY?

In order to apply, you will first need to create an EPSO account. Please note that you must create only one account for all EPSO applications.

Apply online on the EPSO website https://jobs.eu-careers.eu by:

11 May 2021 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time.


ANNEX I

DUTIES

1.    Structural reform support

The European Commission is looking for administrators with a strong knowledge of and expertise in structural reforms. The administrators recruited will be expected to perform tasks such as those described below, in one or more of the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Public administration

Judicial system

Financial sector

Public revenue administration

Expenditure management

Business environment

Energy and climate sector

Environment sector

Education sector

Health sector

Social welfare systems

Digitalisation

In these areas/sectors of expertise, the administrators’ main duties may include, but are not limited to:

Providing Member States’ authorities with direct advice at technical and political level (by discussing reform needs), translating Member State requests for support into technical support projects and contributing to their successful implementation on the ground;

Designing and coordinating technical support projects, as agreed with the Member States, in coordination with other Commission services and technical support providers (officials from other Member States, international organisations, public agencies, private experts);

Providing direct technical support to reform design and implementation;

Managing complex contracts or agreements of technical support to Member States, including the drafting of terms of reference and the description of the actions;

Monitoring the operational implementation of technical support to Member States;

Contributing to the evaluation of the results of the technical support projects and of the relevant reforms;

Representing the Commission in discussions with Member States and other stakeholders (technical support providers in particular);

Providing general analysis on policy developments in the area/sector of expertise;

Providing inputs from technical support projects in the European Union governance processes, such as the European Semester.

2.    Schengen acquis

The European Commission is looking for administrators with a strong knowledge of and expertise in the Schengen acquis. The Schengen acquis is composed of a wide-range and fast developing set of rules covering external border management, a series of flanking and compensatory measures as well as a robust evaluation and monitoring mechanism. The Schengen acquis concerns different policy areas/sectors on which specific expertise is required in the Commission to develop new policies and provide technical support to Member States (in the context of evaluation and monitoring).

The administrators recruited will be expected to perform tasks such as those described below, in one or more of the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Integrated border management

External border management

Police cooperation in the field of implementation of the Schengen acquis

Visa policy and travel documents

Large-scale information systems for border, migration and security, their interoperability and automation of border controls

Migration management sector, including return

In these areas/sectors of expertise, the administrators’ main duties may include, but are not limited to:

Preparing legislative initiatives on the Schengen acquis and participating in the negotiations with the co-legislator;

Contributing to the design and implementation of new policy initiatives for the Schengen acquis;

Providing general analysis on policy developments in the area/sector of expertise;

Assessing and evaluating existing legislation of the Schengen acquis;

Identifying new needs and adapting the existing legislation of the Schengen acquis on the basis of the outcome of its evaluation;

Preparing and coordinating Schengen evaluation missions on the implementation of the Schengen acquis by Member States and Schengen Associated countries; leading the team of experts and following up with the evaluated Member States in coordination with other Commission services and technical support providers (international organisations, EU decentralised agencies, namely CEPOL, EUROPOL, eu-LISA and FRONTEX);

Monitoring the operational implementation of the Schengen acquis by Member States and EU Agencies;

Providing Member States’ authorities with direct advice at technical and political level by discussing needs to improve the implementation of the Schengen acquis;

Contributing to the evaluation of projects supporting the implementation of the Schengen acquis;

Providing input to projects in the context of the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund (IBMF) and Asylum Migration Fund (AMF);

Representing the Commission in discussions with Member States, the European Parliament and other stakeholders, including technical support providers.

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


ANNEX II

SELECTION CRITERIA

1.    Structural reform support

The Selection Board will consider the following criteria for the selection based on qualifications:

1.

Professional experience in supporting the design of public sector reform programmes/projects in one or more of the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Public administration

Judicial system

Financial sector

Public revenue administration

Expenditure management

Business environment

Energy and climate sector

Environment sector

Education sector

Health sector

Social welfare systems

Digitalisation

2.

Professional experience in implementing public sector reform programmes/projects in one or more of the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Public administration

Judicial system

Financial sector

Public revenue administration

Expenditure management

Business environment

Energy and climate sector

Environment sector

Education sector

Health sector

Social welfare systems

Digitalisation

3.

Professional experience in evaluating the performance of public sector reforms implemented in one or more of the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Public administration

Judicial system

Financial sector

Public revenue administration

Expenditure management

Business environment

Energy and climate sector

Environment sector

Education sector

Health sector

Social welfare systems

Digitalisation

4.

Professional experience in public sector reforms obtained while working in one or more or for one or more of the following:

Member State administration

Public organisation

International organisation

Private company

European institution and bodies

5.

Professional experience in supporting or coordinating change management strategies.

6.

Professional experience in negotiations with or on behalf of a Member State or a European Institution on reform in the areas/sectors of expertise of this field of the competition.

7.

Professional experience in public procurement or project management.

8.

Professional experience in academic research and/or teaching on reform in the areas/sectors of expertise of this field of the competition.

9.

University degree (Master or PhD) in studies with a specialisation in reform in the areas/sectors of expertise of this field of the competition, in addition to the diploma required to access the competition.

10.

Diploma/Certificate in change management, in addition to the diploma required to access the competition.

2.    Schengen acquis

The Selection Board will consider the following criteria for the selection based on qualifications:

1.

Professional experience in one or more of the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Integrated border management

External border management

Police cooperation in relation to the implementation of the Schengen acquis

Visa policy and travel documents

EU large-scale information systems for borders, migration and security, their interoperability and automation of border controls

Migration management sector, including return

2.

Professional experience in evaluating the performance of Member States as regards the implementation of the Schengen legal framework (e.g., carrying out Schengen evaluations at national or EU level, national or EU audits) in one or more of the following areas/sectors of expertise:

Integrated border management

External border management

Police cooperation in the field of implementation of the Schengen acquis

Visa policy and travel documents

EU large-scale information systems for border, migration and security, their interoperability and automation of border controls

Migration management sector, including return

3.

Professional experience in preparing and developing policy or legislation of the Schengen acquis, including in the preliminary stages, such as policy communication, impact assessment, public consultation, coordination of positions, and representation in committees or expert groups.

4.

Professional experience in implementing or in enforcing policy or legislation of the Schengen acquis.

5.

Professional experience in developing integrated border management strategies at national or EU level.

6.

Professional experience in the development and monitoring of operations of EU large-scale information systems for borders, migration and security and their interoperability or in the design and negotiation of their policy and regulatory frameworks.

7.

Professional experience in negotiations with or on behalf of a Member State or a European Institution in the areas/sectors of expertise of this field of the competition.

8.

University degree (Master or PhD) in studies in the areas/sectors of expertise relevant to this field of the competition, in addition to the diploma required to access the competition.

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 to apply?’.

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 to apply?’ 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 special adjustments

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 special adjustments 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:

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

post:

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

EPSO accessibility

Avenue de Cortenbergh/Kortenberglaan 25

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 (www.eu-careers.eu) 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/help_en).

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 applies the principles of the code of good administrative behaviour https://ec.europa.eu/info/about-european-union/principles-and-values/ethics-and-integrity/code-conduct-eu-staff_en (as published in the Official Journal). Accordingly, 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:

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;

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

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

preliminary tests: your results;

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

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:

the tests have been completed;

the results have been established and communicated to candidates; and

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/help_en) 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/help_en).

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, please:

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

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

For problems occurring outside test centres (e.g. mainly concerning the test booking process), please follow the instructions in your EPSO account and on EPSO’s website or contact EPSO immediately via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/help_en).

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/help_en). 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:

procedure: please contact EPSO only via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/help_en);

language: in the Language 2 you chose for the competition in question;

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

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.

Requests 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:

a material irregularity in the competition process; and/or

non-compliance, by the Selection Board or EPSO, with the Staff Regulations, 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:

procedure: please contact EPSO only via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/help_en);

language: in the Language 2 you chose for the competition in question;

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

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:

procedure: please contact EPSO only via the EPSO website (https://epso.europa.eu/help_en);

language: in the Language 2 you chose for the competition in question;

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

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.

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:

procedure: please consult the website of the General Court (http://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:

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

4.4.   Disqualification from the selection procedure

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

have created more than one EPSO account;

have applied to incompatible fields or profiles;

do not meet all the eligibility conditions;

made false declarations or declarations unsupported by the appropriate documents;

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

have cheated during the tests;

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;

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

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

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

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

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.

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


ANNEX IV

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 two years)

University-level education (lasting at least three years)

University-level education (four 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

Česká republika

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 IV, click here to return to main text


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