14.2.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 37/1

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DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS (DG RELEX)

Publication of a vacancy for a Principal Adviser Function (Grade AD 14)

(in Brussels)

(Article 29(2) of the Staff Regulations)

COM/2009/10169

(2009/C 37 A/01)

 

We are

The Directorate-General for External Relations contributes to the formulation of an effective and coherent foreign policy for the European Union, in order to strengthen the EU's identity on the international scene. The mission involves, at the same time, policies and actions concerning the Community competence, including the European Neighbourhood Policy, as well as policies and actions concerning the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Within the framework of its mission, DG RELEX cooperates closely with other Directorates-General, and in particular AIDCO, DGs TRADE and DEV, and ECHO.

We propose

The position of a Principal Adviser. The Principal Adviser will be attached to the Deputy Director-General who is responsible for three Directorates in DG RELEX (European Neighbourhood Policy Coordination; Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus, Central Asian Republics; Middle East, South Mediterranean). Regional cooperation is an important aspect of the Commission's work in all of these areas and in the context of the EU's European Neighbourhood Policy; the Commission is seeking in particular to boost regional and sub-regional cooperation.

She/he will primarily be responsible for regional cooperation in the areas covered by the Deputy Director-General. Activities will include:

—	representation of the Commission in high-level meetings,

—	further development of the Commission's policy in this area,

—	liaison with regional bodies and international financial institutions (e.g. European Investment Bank, Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership, regional economic dialogue in the Mediterranean, Northern Dimension, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Council of Baltic Sea States).

We look for

Candidates who should have:

—	a thorough knowledge of the EU's external relations activities with ideally experience in at least one of the areas covered,

—	the capacity for policy analysis in the areas of foreign policy and international economic relations,

—	the capacity to represent the Commission in high level contacts and to take forward policy development,

—	very good coordination and networking skills, including with partners outside the DG and/or the Commission,

—	strong communication skills.

Applicants must

—	be a citizen of one of the EU Member States,

—	hold a university degree that gives access to undertake post-graduate studies,

—	have at least 15 years' postgraduate professional experience at a level to which the qualifications referred to above give admission. At least 5 years of that professional experience must have been gained in a management or advisory function at high level (1),

—

have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union and an adequate knowledge of another of these official languages. (Candidates should note that the selection procedures will be carried out in English, French or German only. As this might give an advantage to native speakers, these will be tested also in one or more other languages),

—	Maximum Age: not yet have reached regular retirement age, which for officials of the European Communities, is defined as being the end of the month in which the person reaches the age of 65 years (see Article 52(a) of the Staff Regulations).

Independence and declaration of interests

Candidates are required to confirm their willingness to make a declaration of their commitment to act independently in the public interest and a declaration of any interests which might be considered prejudicial to their independence.

Appointment and conditions of employment

The Principal Adviser will be selected and appointed by the Commission according to its selection and recruitment procedures. A shortlist of candidates will be called for an interview by the Commission's Consultative Committee on Appointments and an assessment centre run by external recruitment consultants. Salaries and conditions of employment are those laid down in the Staff Regulations for AD 14 grade officials of the European Communities. Applicants should note the requirement under the Staff Regulations for all new staff to complete successfully a nine-month probationary period.

Equal opportunities

The European Union applies an equal opportunities policy.

Application procedure

This post is being published in parallel with a number of other senior officials posts. Candidates who wish to apply for more than one post must submit a separate application for each post.

Before submitting your application, you should carefully check whether you meet all the eligibility criteria, particularly concerning the types of diploma and professional experience required.

If you want to apply, you must register via the Internet by going to the website:

https://ec.europa.eu/dgs/personnel_administration/seniormanagementvacancies/CV_Encadext/index.cfm

and following the instructions there concerning the various stages of the procedure.

It is your responsibility to complete your online registration in time (2). We strongly advise you not to wait until the last few days before applying, since heavy Internet traffic or a fault with your Internet connection could lead to the online registration being terminated before you complete it, thereby obliging you to repeat the whole process. Once the deadline for the submission of registrations has passed, you will not be able to do so. Late registrations via normal e-mail will not be accepted as a general rule.

On completion of your online registration, you will receive on screen a registration number that you must note — this will be your reference number in all matters concerning your application. When you receive this number, the registration process is finished — it is confirmation that we have registered the data you entered.

If you do not receive a number, your application has not been registered!

Please note that you must have an e-mail address. This will be used to identify your registration as well as to inform you about the outcome of the procedure. You will be required to inform the Commission about any change in your e-mail address.

You will be required to attach a CV in Word or PDF format to your application and to enter, online, a letter of motivation (maximum 8 000 characters). Both the CV and letter must be written in English, French or German.

Please note that it is not possible to monitor the progress of your application online. You will be contacted directly by the recruiting DG regarding the status of your application.

If you have a disability that prevents you from registering online, you may submit your application (CV and letter of motivation) on paper by registered mail  (3), postmarked no later than the closing date for registration. All subsequent communication between the Commission and you will be by post. In this case, you must enclose with your application a certificate attesting your disability, issued by a recognised body. You should also set out on a separate sheet of paper any special arrangements you think are needed to make it easier for you to take part in the selection.

If you require more information and/or encounter technical problems, please send an e-mail to ADMIN-MANAGEMENT-ONLINE@ec.europa.eu

Closing date

The closing date for registration is 13 March 2009. Online registration will not be possible after 12.00 noon Brussels time.

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(1)  In their CVs applicants should indicate at least for these 5 years during which high level management experience has been acquired: (1) title and role of management positions held, (2) numbers of staff overseen in these positions, (3) the size of budgets managed, and (4) numbers of hierarchical layers above and below and number of peers.

(2)  No later than 12.00 noon, Brussels time, on 13 March 2009.

(3)  European Commission, Directorate-General Personnel and Administration, Unit for Organisation Chart and Management Staff, COM/2009/10169, MO34 5/103, 1049 Brussels, BELGIUM.

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