Under the authority of the Head of Office and the supervision of the Head of the Strategic Partnerships Unit and the Programme Manager in the Support Team of the Special Representative for the Secretary General for Roma Issues, the incumbent will carry out multiple assignments to help meet the overall and specific objectives for the implementation of the EU/CoE Joint Programme ROMACTED “Promoting good governance and Roma empowerment at local level” in Albania.

Employment is limited to the duration of the Project which is expected to end on 30 April 2020.

Local recruitment procedure organised in accordance with Rule No 1234 of 15 December 2005

The incumbent performs the following key duties in accordance with the Council of Europe’s procedures, guidelines and priorities with a concern for quality, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality:

• assists with the organisation, co-ordination, implementation and follow-up of project activities in accordance with the Project work plan and its calendar of activities, in close co-operation and co-ordination with the Programme Manager, ensuring timely delivery;
• assists the Council of Europe experts, National focal points, facilitators, trainers to adjust and apply tasks and methodology into the local context and coordinates their actions;
• establishes and maintains close contacts with relevant stakeholders at national and local levels (authorities, communities, NGOs, international organisations, other relevant projects and initiatives) including the EU Delegation task managers responsible for Roma inclusion issues;
• provides effective assessment of results and achievements;
•  ensures a regular information flow on the activities organised, progress in project implementation, as well as reports problems encountered;
• prepares reports and provides substance input and regular advice to Headquarters and monitors developments in the field of Roma inclusion;
• provides input on and deriving from programme activities and developments and incorporates them into future activities and plans;
• informs regularly the Programme Manager on the state of implementation of the project and co-ordinates his/her work within the broader framework of the overall Council of Europe Office action, suggests priorities and adjustments as necessary;
• ensures the visibility of the programme by providing substantial input for web, social media, brochures, press releases, newsletters, etc.;
• participates in meetings between CoE and national and local authorities, community, and other stakeholders, representing the CoE and the programme;
• serves as country programme advisor;
• assists CoE experts to ‘translate’ standards into the domestic context;
• ensures close budgetary follow-up of all activities and expenditures;
• supports headquarters-based staff and short-term consultants when carrying out tasks and missions in the field;
• supports the implementation of grants in the municipalities;
• contributes to the efficient functioning of the office, in collaboration with colleagues and the direct project management;
• undertakes official journeys in connection with activities described above.

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 applicants already present in Albania.

Candidates of self-declared Roma and Traveller origin are particularly encouraged to apply.

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

 Qualifications:

• Completed full course of general secondary education and appropriate professional qualifications.
• A University degree in law, international relations, social sciences, political science or related fields would be an advantage.

 Experience:

• At least three years of relevant professional experience in the field of Roma related issues;
• Experience of carrying out corresponding duties in the framework of technical co-operation programmes, in particular, in the field of local development and community mobilization;
• Experience in managing and implementing projects, including the use of the project management tools.

 Language requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of Albanian (mother tongue level);
• Very good knowledge of one of the official languages (English);
• Knowledge of Romani would be a distinct advantage.

 Nationality:

• Nationality of host country or 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:

• Professional and technical expertise

Expertise in Roma inclusion related issues with the knowledge of national and local circumstances, legislative and administrative frameworks, developments and stakeholders;

Knowledge of specific project management tools (Project Management Methodology, logframes, risk monitoring, etc.);

General knowledge of the political and human rights situation in the region;

Experience of working with authorities at the national, regional and local levels;

Experience in research and reporting;

Sound computer skills of standard tools in office applications (word processing, presentation software, outlook, internet/intranet publications).

• Vision and Strategic Insight
• Analysis and problem solving
• Resilience
• Planning and work organisation
• Results orientation
• Initiative
• Teamwork and co-operation

 Desirable:

• Relationship building
• Adaptability
• Communication
• Organisational and contextual awareness

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

ROMACTED “Promoting good governance and Roma empowerment at local level” will be implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*[1], Montenegro, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey for a period of 36 months. ROMACTED results from the experience of the ROMED and ROMACT programmes and will reflect the adaptation of these methodologies and activities to each beneficiary and to each selected location from these countries

 The aim of the programme is:

(1) to build up political will and sustained policy engagement of local authorities to enhance democratic local governance and to build up capacity and stimulate the empowerment of local Roma communities to contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of plans and projects concerning them.

(2) to empower Roma community - on the individual level (assisting people to practice their basic rights and to expand their capacity and skills), as well as on the community level (assisting people to get organised to voice out their interests around community problem solving);

(3) to improve and expand the institutions' commitment, capacities, knowledge and skills in working for Roma inclusion, putting in practice the concepts of good governance;

The target group of the project are local public administrations (the elected representatives and relevant officials) and the Roma communities from the selected municipalities. They are also the first short-term beneficiary group of the project. Overall the project will target 50 Municipalities. The mid- to long-term beneficiaries are the Roma population and the population of the municipality in general.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence 

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 29 May 2017 (midnight Paris Time).

Applications will be examined with regard to the requirements of this vacancy and applicants will be informed in due course of the outcome of your application. This may take some time after the closing date. Preselected candidates may be invited to take written tests before an interview. Written tests may be eliminatory.

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.

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.