Under the authority of the Head of the Council of Europe Office and in consultation and co-operation with colleagues responsible for Media, Internet governance and Data Protection work in the Information Society Department, Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (DG I) of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and within the framework of the Council of Europe and European Union Eastern Partnership Programmatic Co-operation Framework for 2015-2017 (PCF), the Project Officer will carry out multiple assignments to meet the overall and specific objectives for the implementation of the Project “To improve freedom, independence, pluralism and diversity of the media’.

For this purpose, the Project Officer will support and monitor the implementation of the set measures and activities in co-operation with relevant counterparts, lead beneficiaries, and in compliance with the respective regulations of the Council of Europe and of the European Union.

Employment is limited to the duration of the Project which is expected to end on 31 December 2017.

The Project Officer will perform the following tasks in accordance with the Organisation’s procedures, guidelines and priorities, with a concern for quality, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality: 
- Plans, organises, implements and monitors activities in accordance with the project work plan and in close co-operation with local partners and stakeholders, seeking maximum impact and effectiveness;
- Informs regularly the Head of the Council of Europe Office about the implementation of the project and co-ordinates his/her work within the broader framework of the overall Council of Europe Office action in Azerbaijan and/or in the region;
- Organises training sessions, roundtables and conferences  for and with local and regional stakeholders and key experts in the field of media;
- Co-ordinates and monitors the development of expert reports to promote Council of Europe standards and ensures their dissemination to relevant stakeholders;
- Supervises the preparation, translation and distribution of Council of Europe documentation  in co-operation with headquarters;
- Liaises between the local partners and stakeholders and headquarters regarding the implementation of the project; reports any problems encountered; suggests priorities and adjustments as necessary;
- Prepares the project co-ordination meetings;
- Ensures close budgetary follow-up of all project expenditures, in accordance with regulations, procedures and donor requirements;
- Provides and drafts elements for progress reports on the project; prepares and submits any other documentation and reports needed;
- Contributes to raising the visibility of the project by drafting web news items and press releases and by disseminating information;
- Informs the Secretariat in Strasbourg,  in co-ordination with the Head of Office, in case of problems, and advises on actions that should be undertaken to overcome the problems encountered;
- Undertakes official journeys in connection with the project’s activities;
- Carries out other tasks as may be required connected to the project implementation.

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

This local recruitment procedure is open to candidates resident in Azerbaijan.

Qualification: completed secondary education followed by an appropriate professional qualification.

Experience: at least three years’ relevant professional experience in project management in the field of media; knowledge of Council of Europe and European standards in this field and of the national legal framework and policies.

Language requirements: excellent knowledge of Azeri (mother tongue level); ability to express oneself, present and draft clearly, concisely and convincingly in English. Knowledge of Russian, would be an advantage.
Nationality: the appointed candidate must be a national of a Council of Europe member State.
Age: Under 65 years of age at the closing date of the vacancy notice.

- A university degree, preferably in journalism, media law, or related fields and training in Internet governance and/or data protection, would be a strong advantage.

Professional expertise:
- Strong experience of carrying out corresponding duties of project management and project implementation in the framework of international or European technical co-operation programmes.
- Planning and work organisation; ability to work under pressure, deal with multiple tasks and respect deadlines.
- Highly developed problem-solving skills.
Previous experience in an international environment would be an advantage.

ICT skills:
Sound computer skills of standard tools in office applications (word processing, spreadsheet, data bases, presentation software, outlook, internet/intranet publication);
Interpersonal skills:
- Service and client orientation, team-work and co-operation.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team.
Communication and linguistic skills: In addition to the above eligibility criteria, knowledge of French and/or other European languages would be an advantage.
Personal attitudes:
Initiative and responsibility, result orientation and sense of continuous improvement, concern for quality, efficiency and accuracy, adaptability, self-management and development, organisational alignment.
Personal values:
Integrity, loyalty and conscience, discretion, independence and confidence, respect for diversity.

Availability to travel.

Candidates who are shortlisted may be asked to take a written test in English to test project management abilities.
Tests and interviews will take place at the Council of Europe Office in Baku.

The Organisation

The Council of Europe is a political organisation founded in 1949 in order to promote greater unity between its members. It now numbers 47 member States. The Organisation’s main aims are to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and to develop common responses to political, social, cultural and legal challenges in its member States. Since 1989 it has integrated most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and supported them in their efforts to implement and consolidate their reforms.

The Council of Europe has its permanent headquarters in Strasbourg (France). By Statute, it 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 European Court of Human Rights is the judicial body competent to adjudicate complaints brought against a state by individuals, associations or other contracting States on grounds of violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Council of Europe Offices (CoE Offices) are set up by decision of the Committee of Ministers. Their goals and way of functioning vary according to the specific mandate given to them. However, they all serve to facilitate, maintain and strengthen working relations between the Council of Europe and the national authorities (government and parliament), representatives of civil society, political parties, the media and members of the international community. Their activities allow the Council of Europe to influence legislative and other reforms, to provide expertise in the Organisation's fields of competence and to develop effective training programmes. The CoE Offices co-ordinate initiatives with the UN, the OSCE and EU.

Applications

Applications must be made in English or French using the Council of Europe on-line application system. By connecting to our website http://www.coe-recruitment.com you can create and submit your on-line application. Applications must be submitted 16 February 2015 (midnight Central European time) at the latest.

Additional Information

Your application will be examined with regard to the requirements of this vacancy and you will be informed in due course of the outcome of your application. This may take some time after the closing date.

In accordance with the Staff Regulations of the Council of Europe, the compulsory retirement age is 65. We cannot therefore accept applications from persons over this age.

The conditions of recruitment and employment which apply are contained in Rule No. 1234 of 15 December 2005 laying down the conditions of recruitment and employment of locally recruited temporary staff members working in Council of Europe Duty Stations located outside of France apply (Link to Rule 1234).

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.

L’Organisation

Le Conseil de l’Europe est une organisation politique qui a été créée en 1949 dans le but de réaliser une union plus étroite entre ses membres. Il compte aujourd’hui 47 Etats membres. Les principaux objectifs de l’Organisation sont la promotion de la démocratie, des droits de l’homme et de la prééminence du droit, ainsi que la recherche de solutions communes aux problèmes politiques, sociaux, culturels et juridiques de ses Etats membres. Depuis 1989, il a intégré la plupart des pays d’Europe centrale et orientale et les soutient dans leurs efforts pour mettre en œuvre et consolider leurs réformes.

Le siège permanent du Conseil de l’Europe est à Strasbourg (France). Le statut de l’Organisation prévoit deux organes principaux : le Comité des Ministres, composé des ministres des Affaires étrangères des Etats membres, et l’Assemblée parlementaire, formée de délégations des parlements nationaux. S’y ajoutent, entre autres, le Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux qui représente les collectivités territoriales des Etats membres, ainsi que la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme. Cette dernière est l’instance judiciaire compétente pour statuer sur les requêtes introduites contre un Etat par des particuliers, des associations ou d’autres Etats contractants pour violation de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme.

Les Bureaux du Conseil de l’Europe (Bureaux extérieurs) sont créés sur décision du Comité des Ministres. Leurs objectifs et leur mode de fonctionnement varient en fonction du mandat qui leur est imparti. Mais tous facilitent, entretiennent et renforcent les relations de travail entre le Conseil de l’Europe et les autorités nationales (gouvernement et parlement), les représentants de la société civile, les partis politiques, les médias et les membres de la communauté internationale. Leurs activités permettent au Conseil de l’Europe d’influencer les réformes législatives et autres, de fournir une assistance spécialisée dans leurs domaines de compétence et de mettre en place des programmes de formation efficaces. Leurs initiatives sont coordonnées avec l’ONU, l’OSCE et l’Union européenne.

Les conditions de recrutement et d’emploi qui s’appliquent sont définies par l’arrêté n°1234 du 15 décembre 2005 définissant les conditions de recrutement et d’emploi du personnel temporaire recruté localement dans les bureaux d’informations et les bureaux extérieurs (lien vers l’arrêté 1234).

Candidatures

Les actes de candidature, rédigés en français ou en anglais, doivent être soumis par le biais du système de candidature en ligne du Conseil de l’Europe au plus tard le 16 February 2015 (minuit heure d’Europe centrale). En vous connectant à notre site http://coe-recruitment.com, vous pourrez créer et soumettre votre formulaire de candidature en ligne.

Informations complémentaires

Votre candidature sera examinée par rapport aux critères figurant dans le présent avis de vacance. Vous serez informé/e en temps utile de la suite qui lui sera donnée, sachant qu’un certain délai pourra s’écouler après la date de clôture du dépôt des candidatures.

Conformément au Statut du Personnel du Conseil de l’Europe, l’âge obligatoire de départ à la retraite est fixé à 65 ans. Nous ne pouvons donc accepter les candidatures de personnes ayant dépassé cet âge.

Les conditions de recrutement et d’emploi qui s’appliquent sont définies par l’arrêté n°1234 du 15 décembre 2005 définissant les conditions de recrutement et d’emploi du personnel temporaire recruté localement dans les bureaux d’informations et les bureaux extérieurs (lien vers l’arrêté 1234).

Le Conseil de l’Europe encourage à se porter candidate toute personne ayant les qualifications exigées, sans distinction de sexe, de handicap, de situation maritale ou parentale, d’origine raciale, ethnique ou sociale, de couleur, de religion, de convictions ou d’orientation sexuelle.

Au cours des différentes étapes de la procédure de recrutement, des mesures spécifiques peuvent être prises pour assurer l’égalité des chances des candidats handicapés.