Competence frameworks for policymakers and researchers

What is it about?

The Commission is trying to promote excellence in policymaking through anticipating, developing, implementing, and evaluating policies in an evidence-informed, transparent, and collaborative way with stakeholders, citizens and experts. Key to achieving this goal is developing the capacity and skills of both policymakers and researchers. The JRC has therefore been leading and facilitating work to develop two “competence frameworks”, one on transversal competences needed by policymakers and one for researchers working at the science-policy interface. Each framework, ‘unpacks’, at four proficiency levels, the collective set of skills, knowledge and attitudes desired. 

How to use it?

The frameworks are inspired by EntreComp, the European Entrepreneurship Competence Framework, outlining, for each of the competence clusters four levels of proficiency: Foundational, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert. The learning, and hence the progression to the next level, comes through training courses, on-the-job-training, peer-to-peer leaning, coaching and mentoring. The models can be used to evaluate skills, knowledge and attitudes of the organisation, team or individual. It can also be used to provide guidance on professional development (job descriptions, career paths, recruitment and capacity building). 

The framework models

1. Policymakers Competences 

The competence model for policymaking is addressing transversal competences (skills, knowledge and attitudes) relevant for policymakers throughout the policy cycle and roles in the process. It sets out a vision for good policymaking in the 21st century and describes how these competences manifest. 

2. The Researchers "Evidence for Policy" Model

The "Evidence for Policy" progression model outlines the collective set of competencies (skills, knowledge and attitudes) desired for research organisations working at the science for policy interface. The continuous development of primary research competencies are outside the scope of this model. What is more, the model is based on the assumption that the organisation already possesses these skills

Call to give some feedback on these BETA models

We would value your comments and feedback to these draft versions of the competence framework(s) for policymakers and/or researchers.