The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is introducing a new procedure for the selection of permanent staff for EU institutions, intended to be simpler and better adapted to requirements. The first competition under these revised rules will begin on 16 March.

The new procedure will allow improved recruitment planning by setting up a “triennial rolling programme,” under which the institutions will regularly evaluate their staffing requirements. Annual competitions will thus be organised in three cycles (for administrators, assistants and linguists) and will be complemented by individual competitions for specialists. In order to prevent successful candidates from remaining on a reserve list for several years without finding a position, the lists will only be valid for one year.

The new procedure is also intended to improve the quality and reliability of recruitment. One of the key principles is to assess candidates based on their competences and no longer on their factual knowledge. On the other hand, the procedure will only take place in two stages - a preselection phase via computer in the member states, followed by an assessment phase in Brussels - and will last between five and nine months, whereas the former system could take up to two years. The preselection process will still include the assessment of cognitive ability and situational judgement, plus professional and language competency, depending on the profile sought. The test relating to EU knowledge will now take place during the second stage, at the same time as the exercises associated with the position. Finally, successful candidates will receive a ‘passport of competencies’ establishing their performance.

In carrying out this revision, EPSO wants to convince “the best candidates” to work for the EU.