The incumbent is responsible for a certain number of case-files to be processed in English or French, and performs the following duties: 

§  manages a certain number of case-files in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Court’s procedures:

-          examines and deals with applications lodged with the Court in accordance with the general time-limits, internal guidelines and specific country-management meetings instructions;

-          maintains correspondence with the applicants and, where appropriate, with Governments and third parties;  

-          advises applicants in correspondence or, if necessary, in interviews, on the conditions of admissibility of applications to the Court;

-          prepares case-files for the examination by the Judge-rapporteur and for submission to the Court;

-          ensures legal analysis; 

-          attends the Court's sessions and presents cases;

-          drafts judgments, decisions, minutes, reports, notes and other documents;

-          undertakes studies and research relating to the case-law of the ECHR and national law;

-          analyses and distributes information concerning the Court’s case-law. 

§  advises and reports to the Head of Division: reports on the results achieved, on further requirements, risks and opportunities of developments or events.

§  communicates in matters concerning the case-files:

-          ensures that all those concerned are informed appropriately;

-          maintains contacts with counterparts; 

-          promotes the values of the Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe internally and externally. 

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 in law obtained in Greece, permitting access, either on the basis of qualifications or after passing a competitive examination, to the judicial administration or legal professions in Greece.

·         Experience:

- After having obtained the relevant higher education degree in law, at least two years of professional experience acquired in the legal field (preferably in the judicial service) in Greece or in international Organisations;  thorough knowledge of the legal system in Greece and ability to handle cases arising in other jurisdictions; 

- Knowledge of constitutional and international law.

·         Language requirements:

Excellent knowledge of Greek (mother tongue level); very good knowledge of one of the official languages of the Council of Europe (English or French) and knowledge of the other; ability to draft legal texts clearly and precisely in English or French.

·         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. 

§  Professional and technical competencies:

-          ICT skills: aptitude for using computer facilities;

-          planning and work organisation;

-          information seeking;

-          analytical and judgment skills.

§  Interpersonal skills: service orientation, relationship building and networking, advising.

§  Personal attitudes: initiative and responsibility, result orientation and sense for continuous improvement, concern for quality and efficiency, adaptability, self-management and development, organisational alignment.

§  Personal values: integrity, loyalty and conscience, discretion, independence and confidence, respect for diversity, commitment to the judicial independence of the Court. 

For more information, please refer to the competency inventory 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 19 March 2015 (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 Council of Europe external presence.

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