*20.10.2022–14.12.2022: Evaluation and pre-selection of eligible applications by the DGs/Services for 2022/23 exercise*
Belated congratulations to our 42 colleagues declared certifié in December 2020 *and 44 from 2021* they now finally begin the very last stage in this long and arduous quest, that of finding an AD post, well done and good luck in your search!
But, to put this figure of 42 in perspective, only once (in 2014) were there fewer certifiés.
Certification, introduced with the 2004 staff regulations 2004 reform to facilitate transition between AST and AD function groups and to compensate for lower entry grades, has become increasingly difficult to achieve.
- Fewer places
The very first exercise (2005) was open to 116 colleagues (it peaked at 120 in 2010) and is now typically open to just 50.
Look at the figures for the ongoing 2020/21 Exercise: 356 applied and 341 were considered eligible for 50 places.
- Limited resits
Exam resits were unlimited for those in the first two cohorts (2005, 2006) but limited to two for all those subsequently authorised to follow the certification training programme.
- No pre-AST5 endorsements of AD work valid
‘… two of the last three reports referred to in Article 43 of the Staff Regulations must state that the official has the potential required to take on the functions of an administrator.’ Article 5, 1(c), C(2013) 6859 final
became
‘… two of the last three appraisal reports (as from AST5 grade) must state that the official has the potential required to take on the functions of an administrator.’ Staff Matters, Certification procedure, Eligibility criteria (c).
So those of you with such an endorsement in your career development review (CDR) before reaching AST5 grade cannot count it towards this criteria.
Though it must be acknowledged that the certification process itself was always complex (and subject to significant change e.g. the 2013 exercise).
- Policy-cycle-experience bias
Look at our article on the disproportionately low success rate of JRC colleagues: we suggest that the certification criteria are weighted against those in the JRC.
- Mismatched deadlines
The application deadline for certification is just before the date when promotions are announced officially (Article 5, 1(a), C(2013) 6859 final)
So for 2020 the certification-expression-of-interest deadline was 9 October 2020 and > 300 colleagues were officially named as promoted to AST5 on 10 November 2020.
Thanks to the small change in point 3 (above) these > 300 colleagues (and indeed any colleagues newly promoted to AST5) are ineligible to participate anyway since any AST4 endorsement of their AD capacities does not count … see how this all links together?
- No guarantees
The annual certification process is not guaranteed to happen, nor is it guaranteed to remain at 50 participants. ‘The appointing authority shall decide each year whether to organise a certification Exercise’ Article 1, 1, C(2013) 6859 final and also how many will be allowed to participate.
We discussed certification at our annual AST conference on career development (Thursday 28 January 2021), check out the Presentation and the recording.
As always, if you have questions or comments, feel free to contact us.
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See DG HR, 2021, Human Resources in 2020 p. 97 point 3 for more up-to-date figures.
