Frank Borchers CPCC September 2015 1 How to

Frank Borchers, CPCC September 2015 1

How to apply for CSDP Missions and have a good Interview Lithuania, Vilnius 29 September 2015 2

We shall talk about • • • Background: bureaucracy in Brussels Civilian missions Calls for Contributions Applying for a position Interviews Challenges 3

So what are they doing there in Brussels? • • Institutions EEAS - European External Action Service CMPD – Crisis Management Planning Directorate CPCC – Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability – Planning, Operations, Mission Support, – Mission Support: • Procurement, Finance, Legal and Logistics • Human Resources 4

CPCC and CSDP Missions 10 Missions: • EULEX Kosovo • EUPOL COPPS • EUPOL Afghanistan • EUMM Georgia • EUBAM Libya • EUAM Ukraine • EUBAM Rafah • EUCAP Sahel Niger • EUCAP Nestor • EUCAP Sahel Mali 5

CPCC and CSDP Missions Staffing 31. 08. 2015 Total 2499 International 1312 (sec, contr. ) National Staff 1187 6

Recent news about CSDP Missions • EUPOL RD Congo – Liquidation Phase ended 28 Feb 2015 • EUBAM Libya – suspended with reduced staff (3) as of 01 Apr 2015 • EUCAP Sahel Mali and EUAM Ukraine just finalised Cf. C 1 -2015 to full Mission strength 7

Call for Contributions (1) 45 Cf. Cs in 2014 (23 regular, 22 extraord. ) • 1269 posts advertised (Sec 864, Sec/Con 405) • 7899 applicants (Sec 2453, Con 5445) • 6091 Male, 1808 Female • 2122 Interviews (Sec 1430, Con 692) • 807 Selections (Sec 608, Con 199) • 602 Male, 205 Female 8 VE Cf. Cs 10 CRT Cf. Cs 8

Call for Contributions (2) • Cf. C process • Seconded and seconded/contracted positions • Important: – Read ”Main tasks” and match your profile – Education – Professional experience, management level – Be realistic, but also ambitious 9

Recruitment How does it function? 10

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Aim: 3 Call for Contributions per Mission per year 12

Call for Contributions Cycle 16 weeks from Extension Request to Deployment 13

Week 16 – 13 Extension Requests Week 12 – 10 Cf. C advertised at webpage Week 9 Communication Mission/ HQ Week 8 – 5 Interviews Week 4 – 1 Selection/Non-selection Week 0 Deployment 14

Planning Ahead Example: Launch 10/2015 Period covered: up to 04/2016 15

Staff categories - Seconded (seconded by the MS or Third Contributing State to the Mission) MS – only allowances paid by the Mission, e. g. per diem, hard ship and risk , and high risk insurance Third State – has to bear all costs (Council Documents 7291/09 (10 March 2009) and 9084/13 (30 April 2013) - Contracted (Individual applies independent from the MS or Third Contributing State for a seconded/contracted position) (Salary and allowances paid by the Mission) 16

Essential requirements EU Citizen (Third States) Health Language: English, French / local HEST / HEAT PC/IT requirements Passport, visa, security clearance, driving license • Knowledge about EU, mandate, local culture • • • 17

From real life Respected Sir, With reference to your advertisement , the Project Adviser is required. So, I am interested to work with your prestigious Organization for the above cited position which suits with my educational background and experience. I would feel proud by becoming the part of this well-known Organization. So I am offering my Services along with enclosed CV. I would always be grateful to you for giving me this prestigious chance for starting my bright career I would always be looking forward for your response. Thanks 18

Application / Education • Abbreviations • Internationally recognised - but explain • Main field of study - related to educational requirements • Equivalent police or military education • Short courses, other education: only if relevant 19

Application – professional experience • To be found in "Main tasks" and "requirements" • Match your experience best possible and precisely • Underline your strongest sides • Cut the unnecessary • Describe how many years, level and management experience • Straight to the point, max 10 -15 lines per job • Target your motivation to the job 20

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Interview panels and shortlisting • • Composition of panels Shortlisting procedure Invitation and advanced notice Notification on selection/non-selection 22

Interview • Create a good atmosphere = decisive factor • Understand the questions • Present yourself = less CV and much more of: – Relevant experience related to the job – How you handle challenges – How you motivate your staff – Humor – Management style – Private and personal issues 23

EU, Mandate, Conflict • Homework • EU – Political organisations, Council, PSC, Civ. Com – Agencies, EEAS, CMPD, CPCC, FPI, Commission • Mandate – Monitoring, Mentoring and Advising (MMA), Training, Executive, SSR • Conflict in the area – Describe and explain special challenges for the Mission 24

Questions re. professional experience = 50 % • Related to "Main tasks" and education • Refresh your experience and relate it to "main tasks" • Prepare bullet points on paper – Refresh your knowledge related to your professional experience – Find good examples from your previous assignments – Mention your relevant experience whenever possible – Prepare in English or French 25

Motivation • Can be a separate question • Having done your homework is part of motivation • My special contribution • Prepared knowledge • A little bit of humor is welcome 26

General questions Handling stressful situations • As Head of OPS and Planning you will very often be working under time constraints, facing tight deadlines and high expectations from your hierarchy and colleagues. • Please describe your management style when you are met with a heavy workload and demands/expectations that are impossible to fulfil. • • • Considerations: Prioritize your tasks Reorganize Inform DHo. M, Ho. M Ask for support/assistance 27

Specialised questions MAC (Mission Analytical Capability) position: Please describe the analytical cycle! Procurement position: What are the different steps and the time frame for the launch of an international open procedure? 28

Special challenges • • • Telephone line No body language Formulating your points in English or French No recognition during the interview Interview panel language (accent) 29

Hints • Reassure that you have understood the question, repeat what you have heard • All preparations for the interview: in English or French • Don’t be afraid of silence • Prepare accessible notes, only bullet points • Prepare a couple of good questions for the panel 30

More hints • Prepare your voice and face • Be there: 100 % 31

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