2019 EUIPO Internal Competitions Released

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), with the support of the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has released TWO internal competitions, calling forward applications for Assistant and Administrator roles.

• Reference Numbers: EUIPO/AD/01/19 - Administrators and EUIPO/AST/02/19 - Assistants
• Currently, OPEN for Applications
• Application Deadline: 21 January, 2020 (12-noon Brussels Time)
• Grades: AST3 and AD6
• This notice covers two competitions. You may only apply to one. If you apply to both, you will be disqualified.

Under this notice the following reserve lists have been advertised, from which EUIPO may recruit new members:

Below we will explore the specifics of these competitions and the selection process that you will need to undertake.

Want to join the conversation and talk to other candidates about this competition? 
Get helpful hints and advice from other candidates via the EUIPO Internal Competition Exams Facebook group.

Getting ready for this competition? Access practice packages here, and view methodology webinars here - some are even FREE!

Snapshot of the 2019 EUIPO Internal Competitions

The deadline for registrations is 21 January, 2020 at 12 midday (CET).

These competitions are being held to draw up reserve lists from which EUIPO can appoint civil servants as Administrators in grade AD6 and Assistants in grade AST3 in any of EUIPO's places of employment.

Administrators will be expected to carry out leadership, administrative and technical activities requiring a high degree of autonomy, as well as strategic, conceptual and analytical reasoning and provide advice and technical expertise.

Assistants will be expected to carry out administrative, technical or training activities requiring a certain degree of autonomy, in particular with regard to the implementation of rules and regulations or general instructions.

Please see ANNEX I of the Notice of Competition for more specific information regarding the duties expected.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates will need to satisfy the following:

• Have EU citizenship
• Fulfilled any military service requirements
• Meet the character requirements for the duties concerned
• Be physically fit to perform your duties
• Have knowledge of at least TWO official EU languages:
  • Language 1: Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the 24 official EU languages - will be defined as your Language 1.
  • Language 2: Have a good command (minimum B2 level) of either English, French, German, Italian OR Spanish, and MUST BE different to your Language 1 choice - will be defined as your Language 2. (Please note that your application must be filled out in your chosen Language 2)
• Currently, belong to one of these function groups:
  • for EUIPO/AD/01/19, you must be an AD official, AD temporary agent or FG IV contract agent
  • for EUIPO/AST/02/19, you must be an AST or AD official, AST or AD temporary agent or FG IV contract agent.
• Be an official, temporary agent or contract agent of EUIPO.
• Have served for at least 36 months (do not have to be consecutive) at EUIPO, in support (non-Intellectual Property) activities such as those mentioned in Annex I as an official, temporary agent or contract agent of the EUIPO.
• Have spent at least the last 9 consecutive months prior to the closing date for online applications as an official, temporary agent or contract agent of the EUIPO in the function group required (stated above) for the competition you have applied for.
• Qualifications & Experience:

Administrators - AD6 Grade:

1. Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least 3 years, attested by a diploma. Plus a minimum of 3 years of professional experience at an appropriate level and relevant to the duties concerned.

Assistants - AST3 Grade:

1. Have a level of post-secondary education, attested by a diploma. Plus a minimum of 3 years of professional experience at an appropriate level and relevant to the duties concerned, OR
2. Have a level of secondary education, attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education. Plus a minimum of 6 years of professional experience at an appropriate level and relevant to the duties concerned.

Please consult ANNEX II of the Notice of Competition for additional information on qualifications and professional experience required.  

Selection Process

Please note: You must complete the application in your chosen Language 2 – this means in either English, French, German, Italian OR Spanish.

1. ELIGIBILITY CHECK

EPSO will check the data provided by each candidate via their online application against the eligibility requirements of this competition. Remember:

• You can only apply to ONE of the grades - AD6 or AST3 - NOT BOTH!
• You will need to select a Language 1 and a Language 2.
• The application form must be completed in your chosen Language 2 – this means in either English, French, German, Italian OR Spanish.
• Must complete and validate your application by the deadline.

2. PRE-SELECTION EXAM

This phase of the competition is made up of a series of computer-based multiple-choice questions and reasoning tests.

If you fulfill the eligibility requirements then you will be invited to sit these tests in your chosen Language 1. 

The results of the computer-based MCQ tests are eliminatory and will not be taken into account in your final overall marks.

However, you must reach the minimum pass mark in all tests in order to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

3. ASSESSMENT CENTRE

Those who reached the minimum pass marks in the computer-based tests will be invited to the Assessment Centre.

Please note that the Assessment Centre will most likely take place in Brussels and will need to be completed in your chosen Language 2.

7 general competencies for the AST competition and 8 general competencies for the AD competition, as well as specific technical competencies required for each competition, will be tested via 4 tests:​

1. Case Study
2. Group Exercise
3. General Competency-based Interview
4. Specific Technical Competency-based Interview

Each competency will be awarded a mark out of 10, with a total pass mark required of 35/70 for the AST competition and 40/80 for the AD competition. 

4. RESERVE LIST

The Selection Board will draw up a Reserve List for each competition of the eligible candidates who obtained the highest overall score, until the number of successful candidates sought for each reserve list is reached.

The reserve lists will be valid for 2 years counting from the date of their publication.

How to prepare and apply...

Want to be fully prepared for each stage of the competition? 

• Access EPSO style practice question packages here.
• View our FREE Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning methodology webinars here.
• View our Case Study, Group Exercise and General Competency-based Interview methodology webinars.
• Get ready for your Assessment Centre interviews by booking an Assessment Centre personal coaching session with one of our selection test experts. 

Want to join the conversation and talk to other candidates about this competition?
Get helpful hints and advice from other candidates via the EUIPO Internal Competition Exams Facebook group.

Apply Here: 

Make sure to ALWAYS read the official Notice of Competition and understand the rules relating to the exams. 

• EUIPO/AD/01/19 (AD6)
• EUIPO/AST/02/19 (AST3)

Why Use EU Training? 

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? 
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