research executive agency

RESEARCH EXECUTIVE AGENCY
Inter-Agency Mobility
Call for Applications for a post of Accounting Assistant –
Temporary Agents 2(f) – AST1/AST9 - in the Research Executive Agency (REA)
REFERENCE: REA/2016/INTER-TA/ACC/AST
Publication: Inter-Agency Mobility
Job-title: Accountant Assistant
Function group and grade: AST1/AST9
Place: Brussels
Job available from: 1 May 2016
The registration period will begin on 4 July 2016 and end on 31 August 2016 -12:00 (Midday)
Brussels time.
1
The Research Executive Agency (REA)
The Research Executive Agency (REA), a multicultural and dynamic body set up by the
Commission Decision 2008/46/EC1 of 14 December 2007 and amended by the Commission
Implementing Decision 2013/778/EU 2 of 13 December 2013, is entrusted with the
management of the following parts of the Specific Programme Implementing “Horizon 2020 –
The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)”3 (“H2020”): “Marie
Skłodowska-Curie actions” and the “FET-Open” activity under Part I – ‘Excellent Science’; the
“Space” activity of Part II – ‘Industrial Leadership’; the objectives “Food security, sustainable
agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the
bioeconomy”, “Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies” and “Secure society” of part III –
‘Societal challenges’; the specific objectives “Spreading excellence and widening participation”
(part IV) and “Science with and for society” (part V) of the H2020 Specific Programme. The
Agency manages also the legacy of selected parts of the Seventh Framework Programme of
the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities
(2007-2013) (“FP7”). The Agency is responsible for the management of the Research Enquiry
Service and administrative and logistical support services for call planning, call publication,
logistical support for evaluations including the management of the common evaluation
platform, contracting and payment of independent expert evaluators, validation of legal
entities and preparation of legal entities’ financial viability assessment. The operational budget
managed by the REA will increase from € 1.75 billion per year in 2014 to €2.4 billion in 2020.
The Agency, created in 2007 for implementing parts of the FP7, received a renewed mandate
until 2024, with a possible extension in time. It is supervised by a Steering Committee
composed by representatives of the parent DGs in charge of research.
REA has 3 Departments and 14 Units and will grow further from 650 staff in 2016 to 750 staff
in 2020.
Staff consists of 25% Temporary Agents and 75% Contractual Agents, all recruited on a broad
geographical basis.
Further information on the REA may be obtained at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/rea/index.cfm
1
OJ L 11, 15.1.2008, p. 9
OJ L 346, 20.12.2013, p. 54
3
OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 104
2
REA/2016/INTER-TA/ACC/AST
Accounting Assistant (AST1/AST9)
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We are:
The Finance Unit (C2) coordinates the preparation of the "operational budget", related to the
implementation of both the H2020 and the FP7 activities, and of the "operating" or
"administrative" budget, related to the functioning of the Agency. The Unit safeguards the
Agency's financial interests, making sure that the Agency's financial operations are made in
compliance with procedures, legality/regularity requirements and sound financial management,
as well as recorded in accordance with the accounting rules and standards. Different teams
deal with Financial Verification, Budget, Accounting and Ex-post Audits including Antifraud.
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We propose:
The successful candidate will work as an Accounting Assistant in the Accounting Sector.
He/She will assist the Accountant of the REA. He/She may be required to act as Accounting
Officer of the REA.
This includes the accounting of the Agency's administrative budget as well as support to the
monitoring, control and proper accounting handling of the execution of the operational budget
delegated by the Commission to the Agency (for which the Agency is accountable towards the
Commission's Accounting Officer).
He/She will:
- keep, maintain and prepare the Accounts for the administrative as well as for the operational
budgets of the REA,
- make the annual closure of the accounts and prepare the Annual Accounts for the
administrative and the operational budgets of the REA,
- actively assist and prepare the administrative as well as the operational cut-offs of the
Agency,
- prepare the administrative and the operational budgets’ Accounting Qualities and make the
necessary follow-up actions,
- actively participate in the implementation of the accounting processes and perform the
necessary daily and periodic accounting actions foreseen in the financial regulations and the
accounting procedures,
- actively participate in year change activities as well as to the end-of-year exercises,
- organise and perform periodic control procedures,
- report on budgetary and general accounts,
- actively contribute to the collection of the necessary information for audit and control by both
the Commission’s services and the Court of Auditors,
- maintain contacts with key persons in the concerned areas.
He/She will work in close collaboration with the Administrative and the Operational Units of the
REA as well as with the relevant services of the European Commission.
The tasks include also organisation and participation to meetings, and other relevant tasks in
relation to the achievement of the REA/Unit mission and objectives.
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Accounting Assistant (AST1/AST9)
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We look for:
We look for a temporary agent AST (2(f)) – function group AST.
We are looking for a motivated and friendly colleague with good communication and drafting
skills who should be able to work in a proactive, organised manner and prioritise activities.
He/She should have the ability to work in a team, having eye for detail, accuracy and
numeracy together with the ability to analyse and structure information, to conceptualise
problems and to identify and implement solutions especially taking into account operational
aspects.
The main working language of the unit is English as well as French. Knowledge of other EU
languages would be an asset. Experience with standard Commission IT tools and knowledge of
Commission procedures would be an asset.
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Eligibility criteria:
Candidates will be considered eligible for this inter-agency selection temporary agent 2(f)
grade AST on the basis of the following formal criteria to be fulfilled by the deadline for
applications:
1. Be a temporary agent 2(f) who, on the closing date for applications and on the day of filling
the vacant post, is employed within his/her current agency in a grade and function group
corresponding to the published function group and grade (AST1/AST9).
This implies that the candidate possesses the minimum qualifications required by Article
5(3) of the Staff Regulations, applicable by analogy to the temporary staff pursuant to
Article 10(1) of the CEOS (see point 5 in the annexed eligibility and selection criteria grid)
and
the candidate is in compliance with the conditions referred to in Article 12(2):
• he/she is a national of one of the Member States of the Union and enjoys his full rights as
a citizen;
• he/she has fulfilled any obligations imposed on him by the laws concerning military
service;
• he/she produces the appropriate character references as to his suitability for the
performance of his duties;
• he/she is physically fit to perform his duties;
• he/she produces evidence of a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the Union
and of a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the Union to the extent necessary
for the performance of his duties;
2. Have at least 2 years’ service within his/her current agency before moving;
3. Have successfully completed the probationary period provided for in Article 14 of the CEOS,
in the relevant function group.
6
Selection criteria:
All eligible applications will be assessed on the basis of their motivation letter & CV against the
requirements listed below.
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Accounting Assistant (AST1/AST9)
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1) Essential qualifications and experience
- Sound experience in public administration, preferably in an international/EU environment
- Financial or legal background or familiarity with financial or legal matters;
- Sound experience of budgets’ Accounting;
- Very good knowledge of the Standard Financial Regulation for the Executive Agency;
- Very good knowledge of the Financial Regulation and the Rules of Applications applicable to
the General Budget of the European Union;
- Good knowledge of written and spoken English and/or French.
2) Advantageous qualifications and experience
- Experience in H2020 or similar research funding or other multiannual financing programmes;
3) Inter personal competences
- Motivation – open and positive attitude;
- Self-control under pressure in demanding situations and ability to handle many simultaneous
tasks;
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills;
- High sense of discretion and confidentiality.
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Selection procedure
A Selection Committee will be constituted. The names of the members of the Selection
Committee will be communicated to all candidates.
The Selection Committee assisted by REA HR, will assess the received applications in order to
make an initial selection of those candidates meeting all eligibility criteria and matching best
the selection criteria set out in the vacancy notice.
Following that assessment, the best suitable candidates, will be invited for an interview (a
written test may be requested by the Selection Committee).
The selected candidates will receive by email all general rules, the practical modalities and the
instructions concerning the organisation of the interview detailing the date, the place, the
schedule (duration), the rules of reimbursement of travel expenses, and all necessary
information.
Applicants invited to the interview will be required to provide on the day of the interview a
document proving citizenship (e.g. passport).
Following the result of the tests, the Selection Committee will propose the best eligible
candidates with the highest outcome of the interview (and/or written tests) to the Director of
the Executive Agency, who will make the final selection decision.
Candidates are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the members of the Selection
Committee, either directly or indirectly at any stage of the selection procedure. The Selection
Committee will decide whether candidates infringing this rule are to be disqualified.
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Accounting Assistant (AST1/AST9)
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All applications are treated fairly. Applicants will be judged on the basis of their qualifications
and in strict compliance with the principle of equal opportunities in order to have the best
possible match between the profile of the candidate and the requirements of the job in
question.
Application procedure
8
Applications should be submitted only by email to [email protected] at the
latest by 31 August 2016, 12:00 (midday), Brussels time (please check the time zones).
Candidates are invited to apply in English or French.
Only complete applications will be accepted and considered. Candidates must send a complete
application including documents A, B & C, quoting the reference of the call for applications,
as detailed below:
A.
MOTIVATION LETTER (maximum one page);
B.
CURRICULUM VITAE in the Europass format ONLY:
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae ;
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA GRID completed (dated, signed and
scanned) – attached at the end of this vacancy notice.
C.
Candidates will receive an acknowledgment of receipt of their application.
For all communication, please use the email address [email protected]
Candidates will not be considered if they:



do not complete the registration by the deadline;
do not meet all the eligibility criteria;
do not provide all the required supporting documents.
If, at any stage of the procedure, it is established that any of the information provided in the
application has been knowingly falsified, the candidate will be disqualified from the selection
process.
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Recruitment conditions – Career
1. REA and the selected temporary agent 2(f) shall conclude a contract of employment which
ensures continuation of the person’s employment and career in the category of temporary
staff 2(f).
That contract shall be concluded without interruption of the contract concluded with the agency
of origin (‘the preceding contract’) and shall fulfil the following requirements, in particular:
a) the same grade and the same seniority in the grade as the preceding contract;
b) the same step and the same seniority in the step as the preceding contract.
2. The end dates of the contract concluded with REA and of the preceding contract shall be the
same. If the contract with the agency of origin was for an indefinite period, the member of
temporary staff 2(f) shall also be engaged by REA for an indefinite period.
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In the event that the preceding contract comes to its natural end on the day of the move, the
duration of the contract concluded in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be the same as that
REA would have set in case of a renewal of contract of one of its own temporary agents 2(f).
3. The temporary agent 2(f) shall not serve a probationary period in REA, without prejudice to
Article 9(2)(b) of REA decision REA/SC(2015) WP.1 on the use and engagement of temporary
staff under Article 2(f).
4. The selected temporary agent 2(f) shall take up duty in REA in principle three months after
the job offer, unless it is otherwise agreed between the two agencies and the staff member
concerned.
5. The agency of origin will transfer the personal file to the new agency no later than 3 months
after the date of the move.
Please also note that temporary agents shall be required to demonstrate before their first
promotion the ability to work in a third official language of the EU.
10
Legal basis and remuneration
The pay of staff members consists of a basic salary supplemented with specific allowances,
including expatriation or family allowances. The provisions guiding the calculation of these
allowances can be consulted in the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants available at
the following address:
http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF
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General information
Questions related to this
[email protected].
call
for
applications
may
be
sent
an
to
REA-INTER-
All candidates will be notified about the outcome of their application via e-mail.
Candidates are responsible for notifying any change in their e-mail address and contact details
by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Candidates could be contacted by email and asked to provide further details on the information
declared in their application at any moment of the procedure. In order to facilitate the
selection process, all communications to candidates concerning this vacancy will be in English.
11.1
Equal opportunities
The REA applies a policy of equal opportunities and accepts applications without discrimination
on any grounds such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language,
religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property,
birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.
11.2
Independence and declaration of interests
The Accountant Assistant will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act
independently in the public interest and to make a declaration in relation to interests which
might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.
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Accounting Assistant (AST1/AST9)
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11.3
Data Protection
The REA ensures that candidates’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EC)
No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the
protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community
institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (Official Journal of the
European Communities, L 8 of 12 January 2001). This applies in particular to the
confidentiality and security of such data.
Appeals
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If the candidate considers that his/her interests have been prejudiced by the Director's
decision, he/she can lodge an administrative complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff
Regulations of Officials of the European Communities.
This can be done at the following address:
REA Research Executive Agency
For the attention of the Director
REF: REA/2016/INTER-TA/ACC/AST
COV2 18/132
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
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REA/2016/INTER-TA/ACC/AST
Accounting Assistant (AST1/AST9)
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14
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA GRID
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA GRID
REA/2016/INTER-TA/ACC/AST – Accounting Assistant (AST1/AST9)
Surname/Name at birth:
First name:
Gender:
Date of birth:
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1: Be a Temporary agent 2(f) who, on the closing date for applications and on the day of filling the vacant
post, is employed within his/her current agency in a grade and function group corresponding to the
published function group and grade (AST1/AST9)
Please specify
YES
NO
2. Have at least 2 years’ service within his/her current agency before moving;
3. Have successfully completed the probationary period provided for in Article 14 of the CEOS, in the
relevant function group;
4. Be in compliance with the general conditions and qualifications required for the post (including those
referred to in Article 12(2) of the CEOS);

Be a national of a Member State of the European Union

Enjoy my full rights as a citizen:

Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by nationals law concerning military service or civilian
service:

Have the appropriate character references as to the suitability for the performance of the duties;

I am physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post:

Have evidence of a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the Union and of a
satisfactory knowledge of another language of the Union to the extent necessary for the
performance of the duties.
5. Candidates possesses the minimum qualifications required by Article 5(3) of the Staff Regulations,
applicable by analogy to the temporary staff pursuant to Article 10(1) of the CEOS:
• a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma or vocational training of an equivalent
level
or
• a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education
or vocational training of an equivalent level, and appropriate professional experience of at least
three (3) years. The minimum of three year's professional experience required counts as an integral
part of the diploma and cannot be counted towards the professional experience required.
Declaration:
I declare in my word of honor, that the information provided above is true and complete.
Date:……………………..
Signature:………………………………………………
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Accounting Assistant (AST1/AST9)
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