1. What kind of support does this program provide?
YCA offers the following support to selected candidates:
Financial support: full costs of teaching and training, languages classes, living costs allowances during the 10 week-long internship and during 2 week-long study visits (accommodation + public transportation lumpsum + per diem), international flights from Tirana to the city where the internship will take place also for study visits.
Insurance: during their time abroad, all participants will be covered by a health insurance as well by civil liability.
Practical support: advising selected candidates on choosing the public institutions in countries of internship, as well as giving helpdesk assistance for the whole duration of the program.
Mentoring/Coaching will be put in place in the administration/institution/service of origin of the candidate, with the perspective of following-up on his/her career development.
2. What is the expected timeframe of the YCA activities?
3. Should I suspend the civil service status during the internship period in EU countries?
Your civil servant status will be not suspended. According to the Decision of the Council of Minister no. 138, dated 12.3.2014, on the Organization and functioning rules of the Albanian School of Public Administration and training for civil servants, chapter IV, point 4 and chapter V, point 2: ‘for training abroad organised by institution up to three months, the civil servants receive the salary excluding supplements on difficulties and work conditions’.
4. What extra-work does this programme involve?
The various teaching and training activities, including language classes, may be organized after the official civil service working hours, i.e. after 16:00 during week days.
It may be expected from selected participants to prepare on their own before attending training sections (for example during the weekend), notably for the online ‘autumn school’.
5. Do I have to be a civil servant to apply for this program?
Yes, you must have the status of a civil servant. One of the eligibility criteria for this program is the act of confirmation as a civil servant (make sure it is part of your application file).
6. I have the status of a civil servant but, but I currently work in an institution with a contract regulated by the Labour Code. Can I apply for this Call ?
No, you cannot apply. One of the eligibility criteria is you must be a civil servant at the present moment you apply for this program that civil servants performing functional duties in one of institutions part of civil service.
7. Is the probationary period within the civil service (the first year) considered as one year of work experience?
Yes, it is.
8. How do I justify that I have between 3 and 8 years of work experience in the public administration?
The document necessary will be your updated work record book, signed and stamped. A copy of it must be provided in your application file.
9. Once I have sent my application, how can I start preparing the preselection and selection steps?
In addition to the 2 annexes attached to the YCA Call, you may refer to key documents relating to the Albanian Public Administration Reform, as well as to the European Union accession process.
For examples:
https://www.dap.gov.al/publikime/dokumenta-strategjik
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/albania/key-findings-2022-report-albania_en?s=214
10. Do candidates must have a good level of English to apply to YCA ?
Yes, applicants must have a good command of English (C1 or C2) because the programme teaching, training and activities will be in English.
However, there is no need to provide a certificate, diploma or other proof, since the English level of the candidate will be tested during the written test.
11. Apart from English, is the command of a second language mandatory?
No. Only fluent English is mandatory.
Good command of another language among Croatian, French, German, Greek and Italian is optional (at least at B1 level). It is also an asset, since it gives bonus and extra points to the candidates that know this second language.
12. Is it mandatory to provide an international language certificate in the application file?
No, there is no need to provide a language certificate, diploma or other proof, in your application file.
The English level of the eligible applicants will be assessed during the written test.
13. Do I need to translate from Albanian to English my official documents? (for example, Act of appointment, work book...)
No, you don't need. These documents are only supports to check your eligibility to participate in the Young Cells programme.
So, a simple scanned copy is sufficient.