Archives: Glossary Terms

‘SNE’ stands for Seconded National Expert (known as END in French). These are civil servants of EU Member States that are “lent” for a time period – usually between 1 and 4 years – to an EU institution. The SNEs usually retain their position at the Member State institution and often are also paid their…

AST/SC is a separate grade reserved for Secretaries and Clerks at the European Commission and other EU institutions. Professionals in the AST/SC grades are usually involved in tasks related to office management and administrative support to managers and staff in AD and AST grades. Placement in an AST/SC grade does not require completion of university…

Senior management in EU institutions refers to the highest level of executives who are responsible for the overall direction and administration of the organization. This group typically includes positions such as Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General, Directors, and Heads of Unit, who collectively make strategic decisions, set policies, and oversee the implementation of the EU’s objectives and…

The Situational Judgment Test (SJT) is a psychological assessment tool used in EPSO competitions to evaluate candidates’ suitability for roles within the EU institutions. It measures the ability to make sound decisions and apply good judgment in work-related situations.

The ‘Solidarity levy’ is a temporary deduction imposed on salaries of all staff of EU institutions. It is applied from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2023. According to Article 66a of the Staff Regulations, it is 7 % for officials in grade AD 15, step 2, and above, and 6% for all other staff.

A Staff Committee in EU institutions is a body representing the interests of the staff within the respective institution. It acts as an intermediary between the staff and the administration, defending staff rights, and contributing to the smooth operation of the institution. The Staff Committee is typically elected by the staff members and is responsible…

The ‘Staff Regulations’ is the main legal act regulating the employment conditions of Administrators, Assistants, Secretaries and Clerks, and Contract Agents in the European Commission and all other EU institutions.

A Team Leader in EU institutions is a professional responsible for guiding and managing a specific team within a department or unit. The role involves coordinating the team’s activities, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently, and objectives are met in line with the institution’s goals. Team leaders are pivotal in motivating their team members, facilitating…

A ‘Temporary Agent’ in the European Commission or another EU institution refers to staff employed in the ‘Administrators’, ‘Assistants’, and the ‘Secretaries and Clerks’ groups who are hired for a set period of time and, hence, are usually not entitled to become permanent officials with indefinite employment contracts. In a sense, ‘Temporary Agents’ are similar…

A trainee is an intern that undergoes short-term on-the-job training at an EU institution. All EU institutions offer paid traineeships to students and young professionals. These are usually 5-6 months long with a possibility of extension.

Employees of EU institutions receive a compensation for the transportation costs they incur when travelling to their place of employment to take up duties. These can be plane, train/bus, or petrol costs according to the individual situation of the staff member.

You can qualify for the EC Unemployment allowance if you have a) worked for the EU for more than 6 months, b) not resigned yourself, c) not been dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The allowance is paid for a maximum of three years in the following amounts: (a) 60 % of the basic salary for the…