Brussels, 09/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 9 April, the European Commission published the vacancy notice in the Official Journal for the position of Director General (grade AD 15) of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Publication of the vacancy notice comes after the death in January 2010 of Franz-Hermann Brüner, who had been the Director General of OLAF since it was set up in 2000. Nicholas Ilett has been acting as Director General until a permanent appointment is made (see EUROPE 10090).
OLAF, which is a Directorate General of the European Commission, investigates allegations of fraud and other illegal activities with financial consequences for the European budget, and more generally exercises the Commission's operational competencies in the area of protection of the European Union's financial interests, provides assistance to the member states in the fight against fraud and prepares the Commission's legislative and regulatory initiatives in this area.
The Director-General of OLAF has statutory independence in the conduct of investigations. He/She will be responsible for a Directorate General comprising four Directorates and some 500 staff. He/she will manage a budget of around €50 million. The appointment is made for five years, renewable once, subject to the normal rules on retirement set out in the Staff Regulations of the European Communities. Candidates should have significant professional experience and proven success in a senior judicial post and at least 15 years of post-graduate professional experience. At least 5 years must have been spent in a high-level managerial post in a related relevant field. Candidates should be able to complete the five-year term of office before reaching usual retirement age, which for European Union officials and temporary agents is the end of the month in which the person reaches his/her 65th birthday.
Appointment. The Director-General will be appointed by the European Commission according to its selection and recruitment procedures, after a favourable opinion by the OLAF Supervisory Committee and following consultations with the Council and European Parliament. The Commission has given an undertaking that candidates will take part in public hearings at the EP. (L.C./transl.rt)