2.1.

Qualifications

A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma.

Students in their final year at university may take part in the competition provided that their diploma is awarded by 31 July 2014 at the latest.

2.2.

Professional experience

No professional experience is required.

2.3.

Knowledge of languages (2)

Language 1

Main language

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

Language 2

Second language (must be different from language 1):

A satisfactory knowledge of English, French or German.

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

Candidates are informed that the second language options in this competition have been defined in line with the interests of the service, which require new recruits to be immediately operational and capable of communicating effectively in their daily work. Otherwise the efficient functioning of the institutions could be severely impaired.

It has long been the practice to use mainly English, French, and German for internal communication in the EU institutions and these are also the languages most often needed when communicating with the outside world and dealing with cases. Moreover, English, French, and German are the most common second languages in the European Union and the most widely studied as a second language. This confirms what is currently expected of candidates for European Union posts in terms of their level of education and professional skills, namely that they have a command of at least one of these languages. Consequently, in balancing the interests and needs of the service and the abilities of candidates, and given the particular field of this competition, it is legitimate to organise tests in 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 applications are to be drafted. Furthermore, this ensures uniformity when comparing candidates and checking their application forms.

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

None of this affects the possibility of later language training to enable staff to work in a third language, as required under Article 45(2) of the Staff Regulations.

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

NB:

A series of tests comprising multiple-choice questions to assess your general aptitudes and competencies as regards:

Test (a)

Verbal reasoning

Marking: out of 20

Test (b)

Numerical reasoning

Marking: out of 10

Pass mark: 5

Test (c)

Abstract reasoning

Marking: out of 10

The aggregate pass mark for tests (a) and (c) is 15.

Test (d)

Situational judgement

Marking: out of 40

Pass mark: 24

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

Language 2 for test (d)

You will be invited to the assessment centre

Test (b) is eliminatory but the marks will not be added to the marks from the other tests when identifying which candidates to invite to the assessment centre.

The number of candidates invited to the assessment centre will be approximately 2,5 times the number of successful candidates sought that is indicated in the competition notice and will be published on EPSO's website (http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/).

The purpose of the assessment centre is to assess your general competencies (5) by means of the following exercises, the content of which is validated by the selection board:

You will be invited to carry out a case study (an integral part of the overall assessment) and to take the other assessment centre tests, which will be normally be held in Brussels over one day or a day and a half (6).

Each competency will be tested as follows:

Case study

Group exercise

Oral presentation

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 2

Each general competency test will be marked out of 10.

Pass mark:

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

Supporting documents will be verified in descending order of merit until the number of candidates who actually fulfil all the conditions for admission reaches the number that can be placed on the reserve list.

The files of candidates below the threshold will not be examined. If verification shows that the information given in your online application (8) is not borne out by appropriate supporting documents, you will be disqualified from the competition.

The list will be drawn up in alphabetical order.

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

Deadline (including validation): 15 April 2014 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time.

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 (9).

Procedure: Details: See point 2.1.7 of the General Rules governing open competitions.