1. Frank Borchers, CPCC
September 2015

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

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

4. 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

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

6. CPCC and CSDP Missions
Staffing
Total
International (sec, contr.)
National Staff 1187

7. 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 CfC to full Mission strength

8. Call for Contributions (1)
45 CfCs 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 CfCs
10 CRT CfCs

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

10. Recruitment
How does it function?

12. 3 Call for Contributions
Aim:
3 Call for Contributions
per Mission
per year

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

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

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

16. Staff categories Seconded Contracted
(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)

17. 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
Frankofone missioner
Lokal kultur

18. 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
Cover letter fra en ansøger, og det er fra det virkelige liv

19. 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
Søg hjælp til fagudtryk og vær sikker på at panelmedlemmer fra 28 forskellige lande forstår budskabet.
Undlad dykker og lignende ceritfikater
Spørgsmål, er det vanskeligt at beskrive din uddanelse?

20. 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 lines per job
Target your motivation to the job

21. Endelig fundet og så er han genert

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

23. 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

24. EU, Mandate, Conflict Homework EU Mandate Conflict in the area
Political organisations, Council, PSC, CivCom
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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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 DHoM, HoM
Ask for support/assistance

28. 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?

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

30. 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

31. More hints Prepare your voice and face Be there: 100 %
Os der ikke er født med x faktor, vi kan alligevel bruge virkemidler