Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP)

Publication of the post of Chief Competition Economist (grade AD14)

(Engagement of a Temporary Agent under Article 2(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants)

COM/2018/10383

(2018/C 460 A/02)

We are

The Commission, together with the national competition authorities, directly enforces the EU competition rules to make markets work better, by ensuring that all companies compete equally and fairly on their merits. This benefits consumers, businesses and the European economy as a whole.

Within the Commission, the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) is primarily responsible for these direct enforcement powers.

Operational Directorates within DG COMP form part of a matrix structure where the different competition instruments (antitrust, mergers and State aid) are managed around key sectors of the economy.

The Chief Competition Economist assists DG COMP in evaluating the economic impact of its actions in the areas of mergers, antitrust and State aid.

The post will be filled at Director level (AD14). It is a temporary assignment for 3 years, renewable for maximum 2 years.

We propose

DG COMP is seeking a replacement for its Chief Competition Economist, whose post will become vacant as of 1 September 2019.

The Chief Competition Economist will report directly to the Director-General. S/he will have three main tasks:

—	Guidance on methodological issues of economics and econometrics in the application of EU competition rules. S/he may also be called upon to contribute to the development of general policy instruments or analysis.

—	General guidance in individual competition cases from their early stages.

—	Detailed guidance in the most important competition cases involving complex economic issues, in particular those requiring sophisticated quantitative analysis. This could imply that a member of staff assigned to the Chief Competition Economist’s team can be seconded to work in a specific case team.

Her/his final advice concerning important individual competition cases is made available to the Commissioner for Competition and, where appropriate, to the College of Commissioners.

The Chief Competition Economist has a dedicated staff of approximately 30 specialised economists, half of whom are permanent officials and the rest temporary agents. The Chief Competition Economist and her/his staff will interact as appropriate with the other staff of DG COMP, in particular those with economic expertise.

During the assignment, the Chief Competition Economist may publish papers and carry out limited teaching assignments provided that these do not interfere with her/his mandate.

We look for (selection criteria)

The ideal candidate will be an outstanding and dynamic professional who should fulfil the following selection criteria:

Management experience , and in particular:

—	Proven ability to manage a team of highly skilled economists, organisational and people management skills including aspects such as priority setting, recruitment, staff appraisal, career development, work/life balance and motivation.

Technical knowledge and experience , and in particular:

—

Proven knowledge and competence in the analysis of the economic aspects of competition issues, as demonstrated by a solid academic record, evidenced in particular by publications in renowned academic journals, the fulfilment of advisory functions to public bodies, studies and possibly consultancy work in the various areas of competition policy.

—	In addition to her/his basic training, a specialisation in industrial organisation and practical experience of the analysis of individual competition cases.

Communication/negotiations skills , and in particular:

—	Proven communication skills (both oral and written), which will allow her/him to communicate efficiently and effectively with internal and external stakeholders and to represent the Commission and to defend its position in European and international fora.

Candidates must (eligibility requirements)

Candidates will only be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following formal requirements to be fulfilled by the deadline for applications:

—	Nationality: Candidates must be a citizen of one of the EU Member States of the European Union.

—

University degree or diploma: Candidates must have:

—	Either a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 4 years or more:

—

or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least 1 year when the normal period of university education is at least 3 years (this 1 year’s professional experience cannot be included in the postgraduate experience required below).

—	In addition, a doctorate in a branch of economics or econometrics relevant to competition policy is a requirement.

—

Professional experience: Candidates must have at least 15 years of postgraduate professional experience obtained subsequent to the completion of the qualifications mentioned above. At least 10 years of the postgraduate professional experience must have been gained at a senior level in fields relevant for this position.

—	Management experience: At least 5 years of the postgraduate professional experience must include management experience at a senior level in fields relevant for this position (1).

—

Languages: Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union (2) and a satisfactory knowledge of another of these official languages. Selection panels will verify during the interview(s) whether candidates comply with the requirement of a satisfactory knowledge of another official EU language. This may include (part of) the interview being conducted in this other language.

—

Age limit: Candidates must be able to complete at least the full 3-year mandate before regular retirement age, which for temporary agents of the European Union, is defined as being the end of the month in which the person reaches the age of 66 years (see Article 47 of the Conditions of Employment of other Servants (3)).

In addition, candidates have to have fulfilled any obligations imposed by law concerning military service; produce appropriate character references as to their suitability for the performance of their duties and be physically fit to perform their duties.

Selection and appointment

The European Commission will select and appoint the Chief Competition Economist according to its selection and recruitment procedures (see: Document on Senior Officials Policy (4)). During the selection procedure, the Commission may be assisted by external advisers, including experts of international reputation in the field of economics.

As part of this selection procedure, the European Commission sets up a pre-selection panel. This panel analyses all applications, proceeds with a first eligibility verification and identifies candidates having the best profile in view of the selection criteria mentioned above, and who may be invited for an interview with the pre-selection panel.

Following these interviews, the pre-selection panel draws up its conclusions and proposes a list of candidates for further interviews with the European Consultative Committee on Appointments (CCA). The CCA, taking into consideration the conclusions of the pre-selection panel, will decide on the candidates to be invited for an interview.

Candidates who are called for an interview with the CCA participate in a full-day management assessment centre run by external recruitment consultants, unless they have already been evaluated through an assessment centre organised at the request of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Human Resources and Security for a type of post at the same level as the one they are currently applying for during the 2 years preceding the date of the interview with the CCA. Taking account of the results of the interview and the report of the assessment centre, the CCA establishes a shortlist of candidates it considers suitable to exercise the function of Chief Competition Economist.

Candidates on the CCA shortlist will be interviewed by the Member of the Commission responsible for Competition (5).

Following these interviews, the European Commission takes the appointment decision.

For functional reasons and in order to complete the selection procedure as quickly as possible in the interest of the candidates as well as that of the institution, the selection procedure will be carried out in English and/or French (6) only.

Equal opportunities

The European Union applies a policy of equal opportunities and non-discrimination in accordance with Article 1d of the Staff Regulations (7). Given the low representation of women in management functions, the Commission would particularly welcome applications from women.

Conditions of employment

The salaries and conditions of employment are laid down in the Staff Regulations (8).

The successful candidate will be recruited as a Temporary Agent under Article 2(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants, occupying a function corresponding to the basic post of a Director at grade AD14. S/he will be classified depending on the length of her/his previous professional experience in step 1 or step 2 within that grade.

It is a temporary assignment for 3 years and can be renewed for a maximum period of 2 years.

Applicants should note the requirement under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants for all new staff to complete successfully a 9-month probationary period.

The place of employment is Brussels. It is expected that the selected candidate will take up the post as of 1 September 2019.

Independence and declaration of interests

Before taking up her/his duties, the Chief Competition Economist will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to declare any interests, which might be considered prejudicial to her/his independence.

Application procedure

Before submitting your application, you should carefully check whether you meet all eligibility requirements (‘Candidates must’), particularly concerning the types of diploma, professional experience as well as linguistic capacity required. Failure to meet any of the eligibility requirements means an automatic exclusion from the selection procedure.

If you want to apply, you must register via the internet on the following website and follow the instructions concerning the various stages of the procedure:

https://ec.europa.eu/dgs/human-resources/seniormanagementvacancies/

You must have a valid email address. This will be used to identify your registration as well as to remain in contact with you during the different stages of the procedure. Therefore, please keep the European Commission informed about any change in your email address.

To complete your application, you need to upload a CV in PDF format and to fill out, online, a letter of motivation (maximum 8 000 characters).

Once you have finished your online registration, you will receive an electronic mail confirming that your application has been registered. If you do not receive a confirmation mail, your application has not been registered!

Please note that it is not possible to monitor the progress of your application on-line. You will be contacted directly by the European Commission regarding the status of your application.

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

Closing date

The closing date for registration is 15 February 2019, 12.00 noon Brussels time, following which registration is no longer possible.

It is your responsibility to complete your online registration in time. 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 no longer be able to introduce any data. Late registrations are not accepted.

Important information for applicants

Candidates are reminded that the work of the different selection committees is confidential. It is forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with their individual members or for anybody to do so on their behalf. Any query has to be addressed to the secretariat of the respective panels.

Protection of personal data

The Commission will ensure that candidates’ personal data are processed as required by 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 (9). This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.

(1) In their CVs candidates should clearly indicate at least for the years during which experience at senior level has been acquired: (1) title and role of the positions held; (2) numbers of staff overseen in these positions.

(2) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:01958R0001-20130701&qid=1408533709461&from=EN

(3) http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF

(4) https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/compilation-of-the-senior-official-policy-at-the-european-commission_en.pdf

(5) Unless the Member of the Commission concerned, in line with the Commission Decision of 5 December 2007 (PV(2007)1811), has delegated this task to another Member of the Commission.

(6) Selection panels will ensure that no undue advantage is given to native speakers of these languages.

(7) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20140701&from=EN

(8) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20140701&from=EN

(9) OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39.