Terms of Reference
Project Title:
European Integration Scholarships project
Promotional Title:
Speak European: Professional Development for Accession
Country:
Republic of Serbia
Project Reference:
EuropeAid/128558/C/SER/RS
Contracting Authority:
Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia
Partner/beneficiary:
European Integration Office of the Government of Serbia (SEIO)
Contractor:
British Council in consortium with the European Institute of Public
Administration (Maastricht) and the College of Europe (Bruges)
Project start date:
1 February 2010
Duration:
24 months, to 31 January 2012
Position: Short term expert
Review and assessment of the written tests
Background and Context
1.
The overall objective of the project is defined as: to strengthen the capacities of
Serbian public institutions operating at different levels of the government and
of
society as related to the process of integration of Serbia into the European Union.
The specific objectives of this project are:
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to increase the public administration capacities and knowledge of European
legislation and the European integration process through specialised training and
internship programmes for civil servants and public administration employees from
different administration levels;
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to increase the European integration knowledge of community multipliers (like
relevant representatives of academic and cultural institutions, of the media, of civil
society and of the business community) through training courses on different issues
related to the accession process and its effects on society.
2.
Planned expected results for the first specific objective are:
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At least 180 civil servants or public administration employees from the central,
regional and local government levels have successfully participated in up to three
weeks specialised training courses in European Public Administration schools or
institutes on different relevant topics related to European integration and alignment
with the acquis
At least 30 civil and public servants of the Republic of Serbia have successfully
participated in full-time internship programmes in the institutions, or public
administration of a Member State, of the European Union for 3 to 5 months.
This project is funded by the European union.
Project reference: EuropeAid/128558/C/SER/RS
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The participants in the courses and internship programmes have provided feedback
on the training received and relevant parts of the acquired knowledge are
transferred to the respective public administration services or institutions.
The assignment
The selection process will include three or four main steps, and is expected to be finalised by
Friday, 17 December 2010.
The procedure for selecting trainees will include three main steps:
A. Each application form of candidates applying for the training programme will be
evaluated by at least two experts from the independent project team against a
standard set of criteria.
B. Set of written tests to be conducted in a regional centre, on Friday 12 November
2010. The tests may include exercises such as translation of EU terminology, an
essay (in the Serbian language) and exercises to assess skills in summarising a
longer piece of text in one language in another.
C. Interview in Belgrade preferably on one day between Thursday 2 December and
Friday 10 December 2010.
The procedure for selecting interns will include up to four main steps:
A. Each application form of candidates applying for the internship programme
will be evaluated by at least two experts from the independent project team
against a standard set of criteria.
B. Candidates who are allowed to proceed to the next stage will be invited to
a set of written tests to be conducted in a regional centre, on Friday 5
November 2010.
C. Interview in Belgrade between Saturday 20 and Monday 22 November
2010.
D. Tests of competencies (Psychometric tests) and foreign language in
Belgrade preferably on one day in the period Monday 29 November – Sunday 5
December 2010.
The aim of this assignment is to select approximately 300 applicants for both training
programmes on the basis of forecast of 430 selected application forms in the first step of
selection process (step A). The target numbers will be clarified once the number of selected
applications is known. Inputs are required for the second step (step B) in selection process,
defined as the review and assessment of the written tests.
Scope of the Work
During the period of this assignment, the expert will be required to:
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Understand the purpose and objectives of the Project
Understand general selection procedure, including main steps of selection and key
criteria for the selection of both groups of candidates
This project is funded by the European union.
Project reference: EuropeAid/128558/C/SER/RS
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Understand and implement standards, procedures in the assessment of written tests
as required by the Project
Assess candidates against clear criteria and provide marks as required using the
assessment templates provided
Discuss the results with other assessors to reduce the risk of discrepancies in the
marking standards
Work closely with other assessors of written tests where necessary in order to
contribute to the quality of selection process
Complete the assessment of each stage within a specific timeframe and present clear
marking sheets to the Project Office
Outputs
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On the basis of the results of written tests as a second phase of the selection process
the best candidates are identified for each of two programmes and invited to proceed to
next step in selection.
Clear record of marks awarded including any comments/observations.
Observations on and /or recommendations for developing future steps in selection
process.
Inputs
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The level of input in days required will vary depending on which stage of the selection
process the expert is involved in and on the number of candidates in each group of
candidates. Second step in selection process - written tests – will take place between
05 November and 19 November, 2010.
Professional profile of the experts
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Professional understanding of the institutional framework of the public sector in the
Republic of Serbia
Good understanding of the EU accession process of Serbia
At least two years of relevant experience in Public institutions of Serbia, NGOs,
international organisations or similar in Serbia
Strong analytical and report writing skills
Proficiency in English at least
Experts with no conflict of interest in working on this assignment
Application procedure
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Send your CV and motivation letter to the following address:
scagronov@seio.gov.rs not later than October 10, 2010.
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Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
This project is funded by the European union.
Project reference: EuropeAid/128558/C/SER/RS