On-Going Now: The Competition for EPSO’s Administrators in the Field of Audit Has Begun!

On-Going Now: The Competition for EPSO’s Administrators in the Field of Audit Has Begun!

The time has finally arrived for this year’s round of competition for EPSO’s Administrators in the Field of Audit (EPSO/AD/357/18).

So if you applied for this competition—be it your first time or not, then allow us to give you an overview of the entire process:

About the Competition:

• The application for this competition opened last March 22, 2018.
• The deadline for applications happened a month later on April 24, 2018.
• The total number of successful candidates sought is 80.

Application Procedure

As you have experienced already, the application procedure is where you were asked to fill in your application form solely in the second language you have chosen.

Upon the completion of this form, you were asked to confirm your eligibility and provide further information relevant to the competition. You also selected your language 1 from any of the 24 official EU languages ad well as your language 2, which is either English or French.

Soon after, you validate your application form and declare that you have met all the conditions.

What does an Administrator in the Field of Audit do?

Now for a refresher, let us talk about what this competition is for by identifying the task of an Administrator in the Field of Audit.

The competition for EPSO’s Administrators in the Field of Audit (EPSO/AD/357/18) is for a general role. Here, the administrators are the ones to support decision-makers in fulfilling the mission of their institution or body.

For the auditing aspect, the auditors of the EU institutions are in charge of conducting the following audits:

• Financial
• Performance
• Internal

Additionally, they also provide assurance and advisory services in all operational fields of the EU.

How to Qualify for the Competition (Eligibility)

Before you can apply, you must first meet all of the following general and specific requirements that will deem you eligible for the competition. They are the following:

• A citizen of a Member State of the EU
• Knowledgeable of at least 2 official EU languages as executed through:
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Listening
• Holder of a diploma attesting at least 3 years of completed university studies
• Someone who holds the character requirements for the duties pursued in this career

What are the Tests and Competencies for this Competition?

After you have validated your application form in your language 2, you will then be invited to sit a series of Computer-Based Multiple Choice Question tests in one of EPSO’s accredited centres.

You will have to undergo the following types of test:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Numerical Reasoning
• Abstract Reasoning
• Situational Judgment

Once you passed the Computer-based MCQ tests, you will then take an e-tray exercise held in your language 2 at any one of EPSO’s accredited centres. You will also have to undergo a competency-based interview.

These tests and interview will tackle the following competencies:

• Analysis and Problem solving
• Communication
• Delivering quality and results
• Learning and development
• Prioritising and organizing
• Resilience
• Working with others
• Leadership

New to EPSO?

Is it your first-time applying to an EPSO competition? Well, here are some resources that can help you explore and understand the process. Plus, we also have some tips for you:

• Beginner’s Guide to EPSO tests
• EPSO Competency-Based Interview – The Ultimate Guide
• EPSO E-Tray Exam Guide
• EPSO Demo Tests

Some Reminders:

As you begin your EPSO competition journey, it helps to go through the notice of competition for more complete information. You should keep yourself in the know with all the processes as well as their requirements.

Ultimately, it is very important that you go in prepared. So train yourself and practice by studying and taking some demo tests.

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EPSO’s Graduate Administrators (AD5) Opens this March 2018

EPSO’s Graduate Administrators (AD5) Opens this March 2018

Want to enter the next EPSO competitions? Then we’ve got some exciting news for you!

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has just announced that applications for the 2018 Graduate Administrators (EPSO/AD/356/18) competition will open this March 08.

So gear up now and look forward to the following below:

• They will begin receiving applications on 08/03/2018.
• The deadline will be on 10/04/2018 at 12.00, Brussels Time.
• The total number of places they are seeking on the reserves list is 158.

EPSO/AD/356/18 Selection Process

There are a number of stages involved in the selection process for this competition. And if you want to prepare as much as you can, then it helps to know the following stages to know what it takes. It goes:

Application

This stage is divided into two parts:

1. The first is where you confirm your eligibility and declare all your EU languages. Here, you will indicate your level of knowledge of any official EU languages, which you are an independent user at B2 level or above. The deadline will be the same with the deadline for registration as indicated. Once the deadline is up, you will receive a notice that indicates the 5 languages for the e-tray and the assessment centre.
2. If what you declared as your languages is included in the 5 languages as language 2, then you will proceed with the second part of the application. This is where you choose your language 1 and 2, as well as complete your application form. Here, you will be asked to provide further information that is relevant to the competition (diploma, motivation, work experience etc.). The deadline will be stipulated on the invitation.

Computer-based Testing (CBT)

Once you have completed the application process, you will then head on to this step where you have to sit through a series of computer-based multiple-choice question (MCQ) tests.

Here, you will undergo multiple kinds of tests both in the languages you have chosen above.

For your language 1, you will take the following, which goes:

For your language 2, you will take the situational judgment tests.

You must take note of the instructions given to you. Unless instructed otherwise, you must book an appointment for the MCQ tests. There will be dates offered that indicate when you can sit the tests and where. The booking and testing periods are limited.

E-Tray

Right after you passed all the computer-based MCQ tests and considering that you have one of the highest total combined marks for the verbal and abstract reasoning tests, you will proceed with the E-Tray. This will be held in your chosen language 2 in one of the accredited centres by EPSO.

The E-Tray exercise is composed of 15 to 25 questions. It will assess 4 general competencies:

• Analysis and problem solving
• Delivering quality and results
• Prioritising and organising
• Working with others

Each of these will be marked out of 10. Again, you will have to score one of the highest total combined marks to qualify for the next stage.

EPSO/AD/356/18 Assessment Centre

Once qualified, what follows is the Assessment Centre. You will be invited to attend an assessment centre for a day or two, either in Brussels or as indicated, and take tests in your language 2. The tests will tackle the following:

• Case Study
• Oral Presentation
• Competency-based interview
• Group Exercise
• Motivational interview

The marks scored in these tests will be combined with those from your e-tray exercise, amounting an overall score out of 80.

Reserve List

The final step for the selection process is the reserve list. After going through all of the candidates’ eligibility according to their supporting documents, the Selection Board will draw up a reserve list (158 successful candidates) of those eligible candidates who have obtained all pass marks as well as the highest overall marks following the assessment centre.

First-Time Applicant?

If this is all still new to you, then we have got you covered. Here are some resources that you can tap and read up on:

• The Step-by-Step guide to EPSO Assessment Centre
• A Guide to the EPSO E-Tray Exam
• EPSO Demo Tests

Reminder Before Anything Else

Before diving into deep waters, you must remember to read through the notice of competition for more complete details about the event. Familiarize yourself with all the necessary information—from what to expect down to the things you should prepare. And finally, take note of the important dates and keep yourself posted on any updates. Until then, we wish you all the best!

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Upcoming EPSO Competitions 2016

Upcoming EPSO Competitions 2016

European Personnel Selection Office has announced some of the competitions that are coming up in 2016

The first upcoming EPSO exam is for Linguistic Assistants – EPSO/AST/137/16. You can apply for it from the 28^th of April to the 31^st of May 2016.

From May 12^th to June ^14th 2016 you can apply for Auditors – EPSO/AD/322/16

Between 26^th of May to 28^th of June 2016 applications will be opened for registration in the following exams:

• Investigators: EU expenditure and corruption – EPSO/AD/323/16
• Investigators: Customs and trade tobacco and counterfeit goods – EPSO/AD/323/16 
• Investigators: Team Leaders – EPSO/AD/324/16

Applications will be opened from June to July 2016 for Audio-visual and Conference Technicians – EPSO/AST/138/16 

From the 9^th of June  to the 12^th of July 2016  you can apply to the exams for Translators for the languages: Danish (DA) –  EPSO/AD/325/16, Irish (GA) – EPSO/AD/326/16, Croatian (HR) –  EPSO/AD/327/16, Lithuanian (LT) – EPSO/AD/328/16, Maltese (MT) – EPSO/AD/329/16

Suspended for now are the following exams:

• Lawyer-linguists: Court of Justice –  EPSO/AD/…/16 for the languages: German (DE), English (EN), Latvian (LV), Maltese (MT), Dutch (NL)
• Administrators –  EPSO/AD/…/16 
• Administrators in the field of Nuclear energy –  EPSO/AD/…/16 

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Administrators competition 2016 in the field of audit launched

Administrators competition 2016 in the field of audit launched

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising an open competition to draw up reserve lists from which the institutions of the European Union will recruit new members of the civil service as ‘administrators’ (function group AD).
Number of successful candidates sought in the administrators competition 2016 for audit:

•  Grade AD 5: 71
•  Grade AD 7: 15

Eligibility Requirements

To be able to apply, you must meet the following conditions:
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:

a. Languages: —Language 1: minimum level — C1 in 1 of the 24 official EU languages — Language 2: minimum level — B2 in English, French or German; must be different from language 1

b. Qualifications and work experience:

For grade AD 5:
Either of the following:

— A level of education corresponding to completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma in the field of audit, economics, accounting, finance, business administration and/or informatics.

— A professional qualification of an equivalent level to the aforementioned studies in the field of audit, economics, accounting, finance, business administration and/or informatics.

For grade AD 7:
Either of the following:

— A level of education corresponding to completed university studies of at least 4 years attested by a diploma followed by a minimum of 6 years’ relevant professional experience, of which at least 3 years in the field of audit (internal or external, including IT audit).
— A professional qualification of an equivalent level to the studies mentioned in point 1 above followed by a minimum of 6 years’ relevant professional experience, of which at least 3 years in the field of audit (internal or external, including IT audit).

—A level of education corresponding to completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma followed by a minimum of 7 years’ relevant professional experience, of which at least 4 years in the field of audit (internal or external, including IT audit).

— A professional qualification of an equivalent level to the studies mentioned in point 3 above followed by a minimum of 7 years’ relevant professional experience, of which at least 4 years in the field of audit (internal or external, including IT audit).

Selection Procedure

1) Computer-based Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) tests  will be organised as follows:

• Verbal Reasoning – 20 questions
• Numerical Reasoning – 10 questions
• Abstract Reasoning – 10 questions

2) Selection based on qualifications
After the eligibility requirements are checked there are two possible scenarios:
— If the computer-based MCQ tests are organised upfront, the files of the candidates will be checked for eligibility in descending order of the marks obtained until the number of eligible candidates reaches a certain threshold defined for each grade by EPSO acting as Appointing Authority. The other files will not be checked.
— If the computer-based MCQ tests are not organised upfront, the files of all candidates will be checked for eligibility.
The Grade AD 7 candidates may be reassigned to grade AD 5 and will be considered as candidate to grade AD 5 for the rest of the procedure if the following conditions are met:
— if the MCQ tests were organised upfront, you reached one of the highest total scores for grade AD 7, and
— according to the data given in your application you do not meet the eligibility requirements for grade AD 7 but you do meet those for grade AD 5, and
— you gave your consent for reassignment to grade AD 5 when you applied, and
— if the MCQ tests were organised upfront, you reached one of the highest total scores also for grade AD 5.
3) Assessment centre:
A maximum of 3 times the number of successful candidates sought per grade will be invited to this phase. If you scored one of the highest total marks at the selection based on qualifications, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre for 1 or 2 days, where you will take tests held in your language 2.
If the computer-based MCQ tests described in point 1 were not organised upfront, you will sit them at the assessment centre.
Eight general competencies and the specific competencies required for this competition will be tested as described in the following matrices:

4) Reserve list:

After checking candidates’ documents, the selection board will select a reserve list per grade of the eligible candidates who scored the highest marks following the assessment centre, until the number  sought is reached.
You can apply to the Administrators competition 2016  here by 14 June 2016 at 12.00 (midday), Brussels time*
*This notice covers two grades. 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. However, under certain conditions described under point 2, your application to grade AD 7 may be reassigned by the selection board into grade AD 5.
**You must fill in your application form in English, French, or German.

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