EPSO Released TWO New Competitions

While the 2018 EPSO Administrators Generalists’ (EPSO/AD/356/18) (AD5) competition is well on its way with the first part of the application process currently open, EPSO has also released two additional competitions which may have flown under the radar as a result.

Let’s take a look at these competitions and see if you are eligible to apply for these as well!

Health and Food Safety Specialists
Administrators in the field of Audit

Health and Food Safety Specialists – 2 Profiles

Please note that you can only apply to ONE of these profiles and not both. For full details about this competition, make sure you consult the official Notice of Competition.

Want to join the conversation and talk to other candidates about this competition? 
Join the Food Safety Specialists Competition Facebook group.

Health and Food Safety (audit, inspection and evaluation)

• Reference Number: EPSO/AD/340/18
• Open for Applications: 15 March, 2018
• Application Deadline: 17 April, 2018 (12-noon Brussels Time)
• Grade: AD6
• Number of successful candidates sought: 20
• This competition includes a Talent Screener

Food Safety (policy and legislation)

• Reference Number: EPSO/AD/341/18
• Open for Applications: 15 March, 2018
• Application Deadline: 17 April, 2018 (12-noon Brussels Time)
• Grade: AD6
• Number of successful candidates sought: 35
• This competition includes a Talent Screener

Based on the profile candidates will need to satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• Have EU citizenship
• Fulfilled any military service requirements
• Meet the character requirements for the duties concerned
• Must have knowledge of at least two official EU languages:
  • Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the 24 official EU languages – will be defined as your Language 1
  • Have a good command (minimum B2 level) of either English, French, German or Italian and must be different to your Language 1 choice –will be defined as your Language 2. (The competition application must be filled out in your chosen Language 2)
• Qualifications & Work Experience:
  • EPSO/AD/340/18: Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma, followed by at least 4 years of professional work experience directly relevant to the nature of the duties outlined in the notice of competition.
  • EPSO/AD/341/18: Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma (in veterinary medicine, agriculture, chemistry, food and nutrition legislation, biology, food science (including for example food chemistry, biochemistry, food technologies, microbiology), political science, economics in the agri-food industry, or by a diploma in another subject directly relevant to the nature of the duties), followed by at least 4 years of professional work experience directly relevant to the nature of the duties outlined in the notice of competition.

Selection Process

Pre-Selection Exam: This phase of the competition is made up of a series of computer-based multiple-choice questions and competency-based tests. If the number of candidates exceeds a certain threshold, these tests will be held at the start of the competition process otherwise it will be held at the Assessment Centre phase.

Talent Screener: the selection board assign a weighting to each selection criterion and based on the information provided in the Talent Screener each candidate will receive a score. Therefore, you should include all relevant information in your Talent Screener answers, even if you already mentioned it in other sections of your application form. The questions are based on the selection criteria included in this notice.

Assessment Centre: Approximately 3 the number of successful candidates sought will be invited to the Assessment Centre.

Test taken at the Assessment Centre will need to be completed in your chosen Language 2.

Eight general competencies will be tested through 4 tests:

• Case Study
• Group Exercise
• General Competency-based Interview
• Specific Competency-based Interview

Reserve List: After checking candidates’ supporting documents, the selection board will draw up a Reserve List of those eligible candidates who have obtained the highest overall competition scores, until the number of successful candidates sought is reached.

Administrators in the field of Audit

For full details about this competition, make sure you consult the official Notice of Competition.

Want to join the conversation and talk to other candidates about this competition? 
Join the EPSO Administrators in the field of Audit Facebook group.

• Reference Number: EPSO/AD/357/18
• Open for Applications: 22 March, 2018
• Application Deadline: 24 April, 2018 (12-noon Brussels Time)
• Grade: AD5
• Number of successful candidates sought: 80

Based on the profile candidates will need to satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• Have EU citizenship
• Fulfilled any military service requirements
• Meet the character requirements for the duties concerned
• Must have knowledge of at least two official EU languages:
  
  • Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the 24 official EU languages – will be defined as your Language 1
  • Have a good command (minimum B2 level) of either English or French and must be different to your Language 1 choice –will be defined as your Language 2. (The competition application must be filled out in your chosen Language 2)
• Qualifications & Work Experience:
  • Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a relevant diploma (must be awarded by 31 July, 2018) OR
  • Professional training/a professional qualification of an equivalent level to the studies mentioned above, relevant to the duties and attested by a diploma (must be awarded by 31 July 2018 at the latest)
  • No professional experience required

Selection Process

Pre-Selection Exam: This phase of the competition is made up of a series of computer-based multiple-choice questions and competency-based tests that will include the following:

Most of the MCQ tests will need to be completed in your chosen Language 1, however the Situational Judgment Test will need to be completed in your chosen Language 2.

For the Verbal Reasoning Test and the Numerical Reasoning Test, you will need to get at least a pass mark of 5 for each, but your Numerical and Verbal Reasoning Test marks will not count towards your overall Pre-Selection exam score!

Please note that the MCQ tests are eliminatory and do not count towards the other tests held at the Assessment Centre.

Naturally, you will need to do much better than a pass mark in the pre-selection exam stage if you wish to progress to the next stage of the competition. Only those with the highest total combined marks for the Abstract Reasoning Tests and Situational Judgement Test will make it to the E-tray Exercise round. So plan your preparation and start practicing right now!

Intermediate Test: Approximately 10 times, but no more than 11 times, the number of successful candidates sought will be invited to this stage of the competition.

This part of the competition will include an E-tray Exercise, which will need to be completed in your chosen Language 2.

The E-tray Exercise will comprise of 15 to 25 questions and will assess 4 general competencies (each marked out of 10):

• Analysing and Problem Solving
• Delivering Quality and Results
• Prioritising and Organising
• Working With Others

You must score one of the highest total combined marks for this exercise to qualify for the next stage of the competition – the Assessment Centre.

Please note that your E-tray Exercise score will count towards your total Assessment Centre mark, so your aim will be to do exceptionally well at this stage of the competition.

Assessment Centre:  Approximately 2 times, but no more than 2.5 times  the number of successful candidates sought will be invited to the Assessment Centre.

Test taken at the Assessment Centre will need to be completed in your chosen Language 2.

Eight general competencies will be tested through 4 tests:

• Case Study
• Group Exercise
• Competency-based Interview
• Written test in the field

Reserve List: After checking candidates’ supporting documents, the selection board will draw up a Reserve List of those eligible candidates who have obtained the highest overall competition scores, until the number of successful candidates sought is reached.

How to apply

Make sure to ALWAYS check the official Notice of Competition and understand the rules relating to the exams. For full details on the AD5 profile and the selection procedure read the official Notice of Competition and the General Rules Governing Open Competitions to ensure you have the required qualifications and satisfy the eligibility criteria before applying. 

To start the application process, please click here

Are you new to EPSO Competitions?

Our research shows that most candidates who succeed start preparing 2-3 months before the pre-selection tests take place.

EU Training offers a wealth of practice materials for all stages and levels of the EU institutions’ selection exams.

Check out our FREE E-books, webinars, webcasts and e-learning materials to help you excel.

If you have a question or need additional help in understanding the EPSO processes, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Want to see what these EPSO Pre-Selection exams look like? 
Try our FREE EPSO Exam Demo

Unsure how the EPSO selection process works? 
View our short video - ‘New To EPSO Competitions’

Useful reading:

The Motivation Challenge - What To Write In Your EPSO Application?

How To Make The Most Of Your EPSO Talent Screener

13 Best EPSO Preparation Resources - Free and Paid

What EU Job Applicants Should Always Keep in Mind

6 Reasons Why EU Exam Candidates Fail