FIXED-TERM CONTRACT

Under the authority of the Director of Internal Oversight, the post-holder is responsible for:

Profile A – Investigator: undertaking or coordinating investigations of potential fraud and corruption in the Council of Europe.

Profile B – Internal Auditor: undertaking or co-coordinating internal audit assignments in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulations and the Internal Audit Charter.

* External recruitment procedure organised in accordance with Article 15B of the Regulations on Appointments

Profile A: Investigator

In accordance with the established Council of Europe policy and procedures including the Financial Regulations and Rule No. 1327 of 10 January 2011 on awareness and prevention of fraud and corruption, the incumbent performs the following tasks independently or as a member of a team:

• undertakes or coordinates as appropriate, examinations and investigations of potential fraud and corruption in the Council of Europe, applying and ensuring objectivity, impartiality and fairness in accordance with generally recognized international investigative standards and Council of Europe guidelines;
• prepares reports and ad hoc briefs pertaining to investigations;
• prepares recommendations for corrective action and improved internal controls;
• coordinates with local officials, governments, and other organisations as required;
• provides advice on best practices with respect to investigations;
• develops or participates in the development of the Organisation’s policy and procedural framework and best practices;
• works and coordinates closely with Internal Audit and Evaluation divisions as appropriate;
• carries out and advises on fraud risk assessments including mitigating actions;
• proposes training material and organises seminars for staff on fraud related matters;
• may also be required to carry out audits.

Profile B: Internal Auditor

In accordance with the Internal Audit Charter and Financial Regulations, the incumbent will perform the following tasks independently or as a member of a team:

• carries out compliance, financial, operational and IT audits in accordance with the international professional standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA);
• drafts audit reports;
• monitors the implementation of corrective action resulting from the observations and recommendations made in audit reports;
• represents the Director of Internal Oversight on various committees and commissions;
• performs any other task compatible with the grade and qualifications required for the job.

Please note that the incumbent may be required to perform other duties not listed in the vacancy notice.

Only applicants who best meet the following criteria will be considered for shortlisting.

Qualifications:

Higher education degree or qualification equivalent to a masters degree (2nd cycle of the Bologna process framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area) in auditing, finance, law or other appropriate field.

Experience:

Profile A : Investigator

• At least 3 years professional experience in investigation.

Profile B : Internal Auditor

• At least 3 years professional experience in Auditing (compliance, performance, financial, operational or IT audits).

Language requirements:

• Very good knowledge of one of the official languages (English or French) and good knowledge of the other.

Nationality:

• Nationality of one of the 47 Council of Europe member states.

Age:

• Under 65 years of age at the closing date of the vacancy notice.

Council of Europe staff members adhere to the values Professionalism, Integrity and Respect.

Essential:

Profiles A and B:

• Professional and technical expertise:

• good command of the techniques used in risk analysis, sampling, data analysis, conducting interviews and drafting reports;
• sound computer skills in particular for managing and analysing statistical and financial data.

Profile A : Investigator

• thorough knowledge and experience of internationally recognized investigation techniques.

Profile B : Internal Auditor

• thorough knowledge and experience of the International Professional Practices Framework of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
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Profiles A and B:

• Communication
• Drafting skills
• Planning and work organisation
• Concern for quality
• Teamwork and co-operation

Desirable

• Professional and technical expertise:

Profile A : Investigator

• formal training and/or certification in fraud examination / investigation / risk analysis;
• experience in public sector organisations.

Profile B : Internal Auditor

• a professional certificate and/or professional training and practice in audit.

For more information, please refer to the Competency Framework of the Council of Europe.

Applications

Applications must be made in English or French using the Council of Europe on-line application system.  By connecting to our website www.coe.int/jobs you can create and submit your on-line application.  Applications must be submitted at the latest 16 August 2016 (midnight Central European Time).

The selection procedure consists of shortlisting, assessment(s), and a panel interview. Assessments may include one or more of the following: ability tests, behavioural questionnaires, job-related examinations, situational exercises, language tests, interviews and full assessment centres. At least one assessment will be eliminatory.

Depending on the number of applicants, the length of the required professional experience may be increased.

Candidates with the best results in the previous stages of the procedure (tests, exams, etc.) will, as a last stage of the procedure, be invited for an interview with a panel.

Following this competition, a reserve list of successful candidates, in order of merit, may be established. This list will be valid for two years with the possibility of extending it to a maximum of four years. It should be noted that placement on a reserve list does not give candidates the right to an appointment within the Council of Europe. The choice of candidates from a reserve list is not made solely according to the order of merit but also takes into account the requirements of the position to be filled and the qualifications of the candidates.

During the period of validity of the reserve list, candidates on the list may be offered employment on a fixed-term contract, which may be renewed one or several times. There is a statutory probationary period of two years.

The compulsory retirement age is 65.

Details on conditions of employment including salaries, allowances, pension scheme and social insurance can be consulted on our recruitment website.

Under its equal opportunities policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve parity in the number of women and men employed in each category and grade. In the event of equal merit, preference will therefore be given to the applicant belonging to the under-represented sex.

The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.

During the different stages of the recruitment procedure, specific measures may be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities.

The Organisation

The Council of Europe is the continent’s leading organisation in the protection of human rights, democracy and rule of law. It was founded in 1949 in order to promote greater unity between its members  and  now includes 47 member states, all having signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights.

By Statute, the Council of Europe has two constituent organs: the Committee of Ministers, composed of the member states’ Ministers for Foreign Affairs, and the Parliamentary Assembly, comprising delegations from the national parliaments. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe represents the entities of local and regional self-government within the member states. The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent and impartial institution within the Council of Europe mandated to promote the awareness of and respect for human rights in member states.

The European Court of Human Rights is the judicial body which oversees the implementation of the Convention in the member states. Individuals can bring complaints of human rights violations to the Strasbourg Court once all possibilities of appeal have been exhausted in the member state concerned.

The Council of Europe has its permanent headquarters in Strasbourg (France) and in addition it maintains external presence in more than twenty countries. More information about the Council of Europe external presence.