Under the authority of the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Armenia and in consultation and co-operation with the Managing Diversity Division, Democratic Governance Directorate, Directorate General of Democracy (DG II) 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 “Community-Led Urban Strategies for Historic Towns” (COMUS), the Project Officer will carry out multiple assignments to meet the overall and specific objectives for the implementation of the Project on COMUS, by supporting the technical process made for exploring and testing innovative planning models which respond to the practical problems in small- and medium-sized historic towns.
For this purpose, the Project Officer will support and monitor the implementation of the set measures and activities in co-operation with the national COMUS Project Implementation Unit, and in compliance with the respective regulations of the Council of Europe and of the European Union.
Employment is limited from 1 May 2015 to 31 December 2016 (20 months, 50% working time)

The Project Officer will perform the following tasks in accordance with the Council of Europe’s procedures, guidelines and priorities with a concern for quality, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality:
• Assists the National Coordinator with overseeing and reporting on activities (planning and rehabilitation project phases), relations with national and international partners;
• Assists the Local Project Manager with the organisation, co-ordination and implementation of project activities (including practical issues related to local meetings, international and national experts missions, experts research and studies, study visits, etc.) in accordance with the project methodology, work plan and its calendar of activities;
• Assures quality control of all technical documents produced, and assists the National Coordinator / Project Manager to ensure their validation by national / local competent authorities;
• Informs the headquarters and the Head of the Council of Europe Office regularly about the implementation of the project (monthly reports) and co-ordinates his/her work within the broader framework of the overall activities of the Council of Europe Office;
• Liaises with the COMUS Lead Expert, local stakeholders, project national and international consultants as regards the implementation of project activities, and identifies local needs (support, resources, competencies);
• Develops the impact of transnational exchange activity between countries at local level (through regional coordination meetings);
• Facilitates the transfer of competencies from international experts to local stakeholders;
• Drafts narrative and mission reports related to project activities;
• Assists the Project Implementation Unit (National Coordinator and Project Manager) to ensure close budgetary follow-up of all project expenditures, in accordance with regulations, procedures and donor requirements;
• Helps raise the visibility of the project by contributing to the communication plan objectives (in coordination with headquarters and the partner in charge of communication), assists in the drafting of web news items and press releases, by disseminating information, providing advice and input on publications, and by managing the project website;
• Assists in the event of an evaluation or audit of the project;
• Ensures quality and relevance of programmes for activities, secures local speakers, prepares documentation and oversees the preparation by local partners; reports any problems encountered; suggests priorities and adjustments as necessary;
• Advises on local service providers and assists the Project Implementation Unit and the headquarters to negotiate contracts in consultation with headquarters;
• Prepares relevant meetings and drafts meeting minutes and lists of decisions;
• 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 activities described above, especially to participate in Steering Committee meetings;
• Performs any other tasks related to the implementation of the project as requested.
Please note that the incumbent may be required to perform other duties not listed in the vacancy notice.

This local recruitment procedure is open to candidates resident in Armenia.
Nationality: the appointed candidate must be a national of a Council of Europe member State;
Qualifications: Completed secondary education followed by an appropriate professional qualification;
Experience: At least four years’ relevant professional experience contributing to the implementation of assistance and co-operation projects in the field of urban planning, management and enhancement of cultural heritage, heritage-led projects, rehabilitation of urban heritage, community-led approaches; at international and/or national level.
Language requirements: Excellent knowledge of Armenian (mother tongue level); ability to express oneself, present and draft clearly, concisely and convincingly in Armenian and English.

Professional and technical competencies:
• Experience working with projects in the field of heritage, urban planning, heritage rehabilitation, conservation, protection, restoration;
• A university degree in heritage, urban planning, heritage rehabilitation would be an advantage;
• Awareness of the overall political situation in the related fields (local governance, local development, urban management and planning, heritage protection) would be an advantage;
• ICT skills: sound computer skills of standard tools in office applications (word processing, presentation software, outlook, internet/intranet publications);
• Planning and work organisation skills;
• Very good problem-solving skills;
• Availability to travel;
• Interpersonal skills: service and client orientation, team-work and co-operation, relationship-building, diplomacy;
• Communication and linguistic skills: knowledge of other languages in the Eastern Partnership region 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, ability to work under pressure;
• Personal values: integrity, loyalty and conscience, discretion, independence and confidence, respect for diversity.

Candidates who are shortlisted may be asked to take a written test in English.
Interviews will take place at the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan.
Information on the Project
The European Union and Council of Europe Eastern Partnership Programmatic Co-operation Framework COMUS started on 1 January 2015 (www.coe.int/comus). The COMUS builds upon the CoE and EU Policy priorities in the context of the Eastern Partnership and on the CoE expertise in standard-setting, monitoring and cooperation. The Project is focused on supporting current reforms in the field of urban management and heritage protection and further strengthens capacities in the region with regard to good governance and measures to improve living conditions. The duration of the Project is 30 months.

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 24 April 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 24 April 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.