The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has just released the EPSO/AD/330/16 Notice of Competition – calling forward applications for the Administrators in the Field of Nuclear Energy (AD7) competition.
The deadline for registrations is 5 January 2017, at 12 midday (CET) giving applicants a little over one month to apply.
This competition will recruit specialists in the field of nuclear energy, functioning at the administrator level (AD7). Those recruited under profile 1 will be expected to carry out inspection duties related to nuclear safeguards, while profile 2 will undertake legislative, administrative, advisory and supervisory activities. For more details see ANNEX I
Successful applicants will most likely be recruited by the European Commission, mainly through the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) office in Luxembourg.
Under the EPSO/AD/330/16 competition, the following profiles and reserve lists have been advertised:
- Nuclear Safeguards Inspectors – 20 places
- Policy Officers Specialised in the Nuclear Energy Field – 15 places
While this notice covers two profiles, applicants can ONLY apply to ONE. It is important to note that applicants will not be able to change their choice once they have confirmed and validated their online application form.
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
- 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 or German, and must be different from Language 1 – will be defined as your Language 2
- Qualifications & Work Experience for Profile 1 - Nuclear Safeguards Inspectors:
- Completed university studies of at least 4 years attested by a diploma in nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, nuclear medicine, radiation protection, radiobiology, physics, chemistry, engineering or another field directly relevant to the nature of the duties + a minimum of 6 years’ relevant professional experience, OR
- Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma in nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, nuclear medicine, radiation protection, radiobiology, physics, chemistry, engineering or another field directly relevant to the nature of the duties + a minimum of 7 years’ relevant professional experience.
- Qualifications & Work Experience for Profile 2 – Policy Officers
- Completed university studies of at least 4 years attested by a diploma + a minimum of 6 years’ relevant professional experience, OR
- Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma + a minimum of 7 years’ relevant professional experience.
Selection Process
Please note: You must fill in your application form in your chosen Language 2. That is – English, French or German.
1. Pre-Selection
This phase of the competition is comprised of a series of computer-based multiple-choice questions and competency-based tests.
The computer based multiple-choice question tests will contain the following:
Tests |
Language |
Question |
Duration |
Pass mark |
Verbal Reasoning |
Language 1 |
20 questions |
35 min |
10/20 |
Numerical Reasoning |
Language 1 |
10 questions |
20 min |
Numerical + Abstract Reasoning score is combined:10/20 |
Abstract Reasoning |
Language 1 |
10 questions |
10 min |
Numerical + Abstract Reasoning score is combined:10/20 |
Please note that these tests are eliminatory and do not count towards the other tests held at the assessment centre.
Naturally, candidates need to do much better than a pass mark in the pre-selection exam stage if they wish to progress to the next stage of the competition – the Assessment Centre. So plan your preparation and start practicing right now!
2. Selection based on qualifications
The eligibility requirements will be checked for each candidate in descending order of the marks obtained in the Pre-selection exam, until the threshold of eligible candidates required is reaches. Candidates are assessed on the data provided in their online application form’s Talent Screener. Each selection criterion is weighted and those candidates who score the highest total marks (those with profiles that best match the duties to be performed) will be invited to the Assessment Centre stage of the competition.
3. Assessment Centre
Those who scored the highest marks in the Pre-Selection exams will be invited to the Assessment Centre. A maximum of 3 times the number of successful candidates sought for each profile will be invited to this phase.
The marks obtained in these tests will count towards your final competition score. Eight general competencies and the specific competencies required for this competition will be tested during the Assessment Centre through 4 tests:
- General Competency-based Interviews
- Specific Competency-based Interviews
- Group Exercise
- Case Study
4. Reserve List
After checking candidates’ supporting documents, the selection board will draw up a Reserve List for each profile of the eligible candidates who have obtained the highest overall scores at the Assessment Centre, 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 profiles 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
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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