WORKING IN THE EU INSTITUTIONS: WORKING IN THE EU INSTITUTIONS


A challenging experience: A challenging experience Multicultural environment Broad range of activities and matters covered High mobility: recruited staff can move freely between institutions, agencies and bodies Relatively small size of the administrative structure (so you can expect quite a high degree of responsibility at an early point in your career)


Main European Institutions: Main European Institutions European Commission 118 EU Delegations European Parliament Council of the European Union


Main European InstitutionsMain Tasks: Main European Institutions Main Tasks The European Commission acts as an executive body. It is currently composed of one member from each state and is responsible for drafting all proposed law. It also controls some agencies and the day-to-day running of the Union. It is composed of a number of 42 services and Directorates General (DGs), such as AGRI, DEV, AIDCO, ENV, RTD, etc. The Council of the European Union forms one half of the Union's legislative branch. It is composed of the national ministers responsible for the area of EU law being addressed. The body's presidency rotates between the member states every 6 months The European Parliament is composed of officials directly elected by the citizens of the EU member states. Every 5 years citizens in all member states vote for 785 “MEPs" who form the second half of the Union's legislative branch


EU Delegations: EU Delegations The Delegations, although hierarchically a part of the Commission structure, in practice serve European Union interests throughout the world. There are 118 Delegations in third countries and 5 Delegations (in Geneva, New York, Paris, Rome and Vienna) at centres of international organisations (OECD,OSCE,UN and WTO): presenting, explaining and implementing EU policy; analysing and reporting on the policies and developments of the countries to which they are accredited ; and conducting negotiations in accordance with a given mandate EU officials can be sent to delegations for a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 8 years at a time


Traineeships: Traineeships The Parliament, the Council and the Commission all organise traineeships Lasting between three and five months Candidates must have a university degree A trainee normally receives a living allowance during the traineeship Trainees’ tasks are similar to those that young officials perform Check the websites of each institutions


Permanent officials: Permanent officials Entry only by means of highly competitive “concours” (open examinations made of written and oral tests) Concours are advertised in EPSO (European Personnel Selection Office) website http://europa.eu/epso/. Planned competitions are also available on the same website Unlimited period of contract Recruited in groups for particular disciplines (e.g. agricultural and environmental experts, economists) but not generally for specific posts Organised according to the nature and importance of the duties required in Administrators (“AD”) and Assistants career (“AST”)


Temporary Agents : Temporary Agents Each Temporary Agent is usually recruited for a specific post A written test and then interviewed by Selection Boards Candidates must have a number of years of specialist experience Depending on the type of contract offered, appointments can range from several months to a number of years Advertised on EPSO website


Contractual Agents: Contractual Agents Usually recruited after several short written tests and interview for: - manual or administrative support tasks and in Commission Representations, Delegations, Agencies (temporary contracts of up to 5 years, can be renewed for up to a further 5 years, then they can be made permanent) - temporary absences due to illness, maternity leave, staff shortages during periods of increased work pressure, lack of specialist staff - temporary contracts of 3 months (min) and 3 years (max) Normally advertised on EPSO website


Seconded National Experts: Seconded National Experts Experts employed by Government Departments or the private sector, who are seconded to the Institutions, usually the Commission, for a period of up to 4 years Their salaries are paid by their “home” employer but the Institution pays them a generous living and travel allowance


So…..: So….. Check as much as you can EPSO web site and….. Good Luck!!!!