EUIPO Looking For Contract Staff! EUIPO/CAST/1/16

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) (formerly known as OAMI) has launched a call for expressions of interest for contract staff (EUIPO/CAST/1/16), with the aim of establishing a database of candidates from which to recruit contract agents to cover the needs of the Office. Those applicants that possess the relevant skills required may be invited to participate in a computer-based test, competency test and an interview to be organised and administered by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO).

The database will be used by EUIPO to fill posts based mainly in Alicante, Spain.

There are currently six opportunities being advertised, but please note that you can only apply to ONE function group and ONE profile:

Function Group III (FGIII)

1. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUPPORT – Function Group III (FGIII)
2. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT – Function Group III (FGIII)
3. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT – Function Group III (FGIII)

Function Group IV (FGIV)

1. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SPECIALIST – Function group IV (FGIV)
2. ADVISER / SPECIALIST – Function Group IV (FGIV)
3. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST – Function Group IV (FGIV)

To find out more about each profile please click here.

As the process is highly competitive and to maximise your chances of being selected, make sure you read the call for expressions of interest documentation and ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements before validating your application.

The process is now open for applications. Deadline for registrations is 21 December, 2016 at 12 noon (Brussels time). Applications are to be made online via your EPSO Account.

Eligibility

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 – defined as your Language 1
• Have a working knowledge (minimum B2 level) of either English, French, German, Italian or Spanish, and must be different from Language 1 – defined as your Language 2
• Qualifications & Work Experience for FGIII
  • Post-secondary education attested by a diploma + appropriate professional experience of 1 year following award of the diploma, OR
  • Secondary education, attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education + appropriate professional experience of 4 years following award of the diploma.
• Qualifications & Work Experience for FGIV
  • Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma + at least 3 years of appropriate professional experience following award of the diploma.

(Please note: generally only diplomas/equivalence certificates that have been issues by an EU Member State shall be taken into consideration, so make sure any qualifications your list are valid first.)

Selection Process

As part of the application process, applicants will be required to complete a Talent Screener. Unlike other competitions, the entries provided in the talent screener tabs will not be used to rank or eliminate candidates. It will be used as complementary information to determine a match between the requirements of the position and qualifications/experience of candidates. Read this article to find out How To Make The Most Of Your EPSO Talent Screener.

The selection process includes the following stages:

1) Recruiting services search the database of registered candidates

EUIPO will search the database of applications for candidates that best match the requirements of the job in question. Only those candidates who are shortlisted, will be invited to sit a series of reasoning tests. Candidates will be contacted via the email address provided in their EPSO account (and not via their EPSO account).

2) Pre-selection: reasoning tests

These tests will most likely be held at EUIPO premises in Alicante, Spain. Candidates must obtain at least the minimum pass mark in the pre-selection phase to progress further. The reasoning tests will be computer-based multiple choice tests and you will need to take these tests in your Language 2.

3) Competency test

This test will most likely be held at EUIPO premises in Alicante, Spain also. This test is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge in the relevant field and will need to be taken in one of the five working languages of the EUIPO (English, French, German, Italian or Spanish) -  your selected Language 2.

4) Job interview

The interview will test the general abilities of the candidate as well as the competencies in the relevant field and will be conducted in one of the five working languages of the EUIPO (English, French, German, Italian or Spanish). Your chosen Language 1 may also be tested. Again, the interview will most likely take place at EUIPO premises in Alicante, Spain.

5) Recruitment

If you comply with all the eligibility criteria and you are successful in the pre-selection tests, competency test and in the interview, you may receive a formal employment offer.

Are you new to reasoning tests? 

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 selection processes, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Want to see what these Pre-Selection exams look like? 
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