Promotions

Internal Competitions 2025-2027: A Career Breakthrough or a Tactical Diversion? 

Certification, Equality, Internal Competitions, Junior Professionals Programme, Newsletter-2025-02-28, Professional mobility, Promotions, reclassification, Staff Categories, Working conditions Print This Post

*Update 26.08.2025 the updated time estimates are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*

Original article: Opportunities Announced, But Do They Truly Deliver?  The European Commission has announced its internal competitions planning for 2025-2027, introducing more frequent competitions and cross-category mobility up to AD10. This appears to be a positive development at first glance, but a deeper analysis of eligibility criteria and staff demographics raises serious concerns about how inclusive and effective these competitions will be in addressing long-standing career progression issues.  Continue reading Internal Competitions 2025-2027: A Career Breakthrough or a Tactical Diversion?  →

Unlocking Career progression for Contract Agents: untapped potential of GIPS Article 13 

CA screening, Contract Agents, Equality, Internal Competitions, Junior Professionals Programme, Newsletter-2025-02-28, Promotions, reclassification, Staff Categories, Staff Regulations Reform, well-being, Working conditions Print This Post

What is GIPS Article 13 (CA screening) and who can benefit from it ?  Article 13 of the general implementing provisions (GIPs) for Article 79(2) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) provides a pathway for Contract Agents engaged under article 3a of the CEOS [*] to advance to a higher function group (so-called CA screening), provided they meet certain conditions.  Continue reading Unlocking Career progression for Contract Agents: untapped potential of GIPS Article 13  →

Mobility Paradox: Forced to Move or Stuck in Place?

diversity & inclusion, Equality, Newsletter-2025-02-28, Professional mobility, Promotions, Staff Categories, Working conditions Print This Post

Changes in tasks and/or working environment’ (‘mobility’) are inevitable in any workplace, and in organisations the size of the Commission and the external action service (EEAS, with over 144 Delegations around the world) these are seldom user-friendly processes. As often happens within the institutions, the term ‘mobility’ itself covers a huge range of diverse exercises with different rules regarding the level of obligation, the frequency and to whom those rules apply. Continue reading Mobility Paradox: Forced to Move or Stuck in Place? →

Brave new world at the Commission: the day the staff representation was abolished

allowances, building closures, Elections, Newsletter-2025-02-12, Open Plan Office, Part-time, Pensions, Promotions, reclassification, Social Dialogue, Staff Categories, Staff Regulations Reform, Teleworking, teleworking from anywhere, well-being, Working conditions Print This Post

I wake up and it is just another ordinary day. I prepare breakfast and get my child ready. Then head to the crèche before going to the office.  But to my great surprise, the crèche is closed. Nobody seems to be around. When I finally spot someone I know, I ask what is going on. Maybe a strike? “Not really. Weren’t you informed? Continue reading Brave new world at the Commission: the day the staff representation was abolished →

EEAS: Performance Appraisals Exercise for 2025

EEAS, Newsletter-2025-01-28, Promotions, reclassification, Staff Categories, Working conditions Print This Post

***Update: you can find the presentation here.*** Friday, 24 January 2025, more than 60 colleagues joined Generation 2004 mini-conference during lunchtime to explore the topic of performance appraisals within the EEAS. The session provided valuable insights into the 2025 appraisal exercise, addressing both the written and unwritten rules of the Career Development Reviews (CDR). Continue reading EEAS: Performance Appraisals Exercise for 2025 →

EEAS: Redefining the Head of Administration role in EU Delegations: A call for clear responsibilities and support

Administrators, Assistants, Contract Agents, EEAS, Institutions, Newsletter-2025-01-28, Promotions, Staff Categories, Training, Working conditions Print This Post

*Update 17.01.2025 the rumoured  delegation closures are now also in the press.*

Original article: Generation 2004 EEAS section advocates for fair and realistic work conditions for colleagues in over 144 Delegations around the world. Those conditions must take account of the evolving responsibilities of all staff and roles. Among these, the Head of Administration (HoA) post in EU Delegations stands out as a unique role. Continue reading EEAS: Redefining the Head of Administration role in EU Delegations: A call for clear responsibilities and support →

Conference: How to increase your chances to get a promotion/reclassification in 2025?

Events, Newsletter-2025-01-28, Promotions, reclassification Print This Post

The whole appraisal and  promotion/reclassification processes can be a bit of a mystery. It’s not always clear how DGs choose who to reward, nor why some years appear to be better than others. There are situations suggesting that  some staff are less favoured, while some staff are evaluated as ‘not applicable’, regardless of how well they work. What can you do if your work is judged to be ‘unsatisfactory‘?

Continue reading Conference: How to increase your chances to get a promotion/reclassification in 2025? →

Conference: 2025 appraisal and promotion/reclassification exercises

Events, Newsletter - 2024-12-13, Promotions, reclassification Print This Post

*Update 20.01.2025, we’ve closed the list for reviewing your appraisal text with you. If you still want out help please send us an email.*

Original article: We publish this early enough for you to make a start on listing your achievements, training and highlights throughout 2023 to avoid you having to hit the ground running in January. This conference explains the evaluation process and offers tips. Join us Tuesday, 9 January 2024, 12:00-13:30. We cover how to prepare your self-assessment and your one-on-one interview with your line manager (‘reporting officer’) [1] this is applicable both to the promotion (officials) and reclassification (Contract Agents, except 3b)[2]. Continue reading Conference: 2025 appraisal and promotion/reclassification exercises →

EEAS: Improving the Promotion/reclassification System

EEAS, Institutions, Newsletter - 2024-11-15, Promotions, reclassification, Working conditions Print This Post

The yearly promotion/reclassification exercise within the European External Action Service (EEAS) is a crucial moment for all staff, whether officials, or non-permanent staff as it directly impacts career development and recognition of merit. The final lists for the 2024 exercises were published 07.11.2024. However, Generation 2004 has observed persistent concerns regarding the lack of transparency, predictability, and security in the current promotion system. We have made similar obervations about the promotions/reclassifications system in the Commission[1].

Continue reading EEAS: Improving the Promotion/reclassification System →

Longer and sustainable careers for contracts agents 

Contract Agents, Equality, Newsletter - 2024-10-28, Promotions, reclassification, Staff Categories, Temporary Agents, Working conditions Print This Post

*Update 21.11.2024 check out the European Court of Auditors, 2024, Special report 24/2024: EU Civil service–A flexible employment framework, insufficiently used to improve workforce management: it concludes that ‘While the recruitment of temporary staff has proven an effective and flexible way to deal with the shortage of successful candidates on EPSO reserve lists, it carries some risks for business continuity and knowledge management, and as such cannot be a viable long-term solution‘ (Paragraph 100)*

Continue reading Longer and sustainable careers for contracts agents  →