category / Beginner's Guide

Epso Profiles – Communication

When it comes to communication jobs, these are the most frequent profiles published by EPSO:

Communication Officer (AD)

Working areas:

External communication with media, public and other visitors’ groups
Providing information to media in written and oral forms
Communication over the Internet
Communication regarding strategy and crisis situations

The following are functions of EU Communication Officers:

Drafting reports, press releases and texts for different media types, as per the language you are recruited in, and/or in either English or French
Establishing and maintaining relations with media
Watching and examining media impact
Ensuring that EU’s presence is there on all online platforms
Ensuring inclusion and publication of original content

Suggested Qualifications:

Good command over at least two European languages, of which one must be English, French or German
For Grade AD 5 (entry level), must hold a degree or be graduating this year in respective field. The specific requirement is to be checked at time of competition notification
For Grade AD 7 (a much more senior level), several years’ experience is required in a related field

Communication Assistant (AST)

They work in different sectors related to internal and external information and communication

The following are functions of EU Communication Assistants:

Handling contacts with the media, the public and the press
Drafting, revising and preparing various publication documents
Event management
Preparing brochures, publications, documents and audiovisual products
Managing communication online via websites, social e-mail etc.
Participating in watching and examining media impact of communication activities
Cooperating with stakeholders (subcontractors, publication office etc.)

Suggested Qualifications:

Good command over at least two European languages, of which one must be English, French or German
Post-secondary education in communication, media studies, journalism or public relations and at least three years’ relevant professional experience OR secondary education and six years of professional experience

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EPSO Profiles – Linguists

Translators

EU translators help around 500 million people in 28 EU countries understand policies. Their work is challenging in a diverse cultural environment.

The following are the functions of EU translators:

Translating political, legal, scientific, technical and financial texts
Mentoring colleagues by providing a wide range of linguistic advice

Suggested Qualifications:

Good command over at least two European languages, of which one must be English, French or German
Any Degree

Conference Interpreters

The EU interpreting service is the largest in the world. The interpreters ensure that points discussed in the conference are correctly interpreted into an EU-official language. They use either simultaneous or consecutive interpreting.

The following are functions of EU conference interpreters:

Ensuring effective communication
Imbibing various complex issues
Being prompt and adapting to changing situations
Working under pressure individually or as a team

Suggested Qualifications:

Excellent command over one European language, and good command over at least two European languages, of which one must be English, French or German
Relevant qualification in Conference interpreting or Degree and one years’ work experience as a professional Conference interpreter
For Grade AD 7 (a much more senior level), several years’ experience is required in a related field

Proofreader/Language editor

Functions of Proofreaders:

Proofreading documents in their native languages
Preparing stylish and typographical manuscripts
Proofreading printers’ proofs
Delivering “passed for press” orders
Participating in publication designs
Helping coordinate and monitor production processes

The following are functions of EU proofreaders (language editors):

Linguistic checking and editing documents for publication
Checking texts against (usually) French original documents
Ensuring compliant style conventions and rules
Preparing issues of the Court Reports
Finalizing texts typographically

Suggested Qualifications:

Excellent command over one European language, and thorough command over two European languages, of which one must be English, French or German
Passive knowledge of French for the Court of Justice
Either post-secondary level education and two years’ applicable professional experience, or
Senior education and minimum five years’ professional experience

category / Beginner's Guide

EPSO Profiles – Audit

Auditor

The following are the functions of EU auditors:

examining financial management process
Conducting inspections
Improve control systems
Providing guidance on methodologies.
Supporting senior decision-makers
Training untrained personnel
Supervising and advising colleagues.

Qualifications required:

Good command over at least two European languages, of which one must be English, French or German
For Grade AD 5 (entry level), must hold a degree or be graduating this year
For Grade AD 7 (a much more senior level), several years’ experience is required in a related field
For contract staff or assistant auditors, the requirements may vary

category / Beginner's Guide

Epso Profiles – Information and Communications Technology

The IT jobs within the EU Institutions cover different areas which are presented below. Most published EPSO Competitions look for candidates in those profiles.

Information Technology Staff

ICT staff: The ICT support staff maintains the computer systems, which enable the EU institutions to carry out work affecting around 50 million people in 28 EU countries

The following are the functions of EU ICT staff:

Managing projects and processes
Watching and examination/analysis
Analyzing technically and advising
Provide inter-service coordination and consultation
Telecommunications service
Managing data processing centers
Managing and supervising e-mail, data and voice network services
Web development
Designing software for statistical data collection
IT security management

Contract staff may also be employed as ICT staff.

Suggested Qualifications:

Good command over at least two European languages, of which one must be English, French or German
For Grade AD 5 (entry level), must hold a degree or a post graduate degree in Information and Communication Technology or be graduating this year in respective field. The specific requirement is to be checked at time of competition notification
For Grade AD 7 (a much more senior level), several years’ experience is required in a related field

Grade AST 3 (assistant) qualifications:

Good command over at least two European languages, of which one must be English, French or German
Post-secondary education and a minimum of three years’ professional experience, or
Secondary education and a minimum of six years’ professional experience

Contract staff requirements may vary.

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