Under the authority of the Head of the Council of Europe Office and the supervision of the Head of the Unit of Co-operation Activities, and in co-operation with the relevant services in the Council of Europe headquarters, the Senior Project Officer ensures the effective implementation of the Project on “Strengthening Local Government Structures and Cooperation of Local Elected Representatives in Albania – Phase II”.

Employment is limited to the duration of the Project which is expected to end on 30 June 2017.

The Senior Project Officer is responsible for the following tasks:
- Co-ordinates the overall administrative, financial and technical implementation of the project, assuming primary responsibility for the implementation of Line of Action II focusing on building a sustainable pluralistic and unified platform of dialogue for local elected representatives in Albania (hereinafter Line of Action II). To this end: carries out a regular assessment of the implementation modalities and advises on adjustments where appropriate, ensures effective management of Line of Action II, in accordance with the work plan and calendar of activities, monitors and co-ordinates the work of the local project officer;
- Prepares the annual technical and financial reports, including the project’s final report, in co-ordination with the respective departments in the Council of Europe headquarters, as well as any other report requested;
- Monitors and provides expert advice on developments and trends in the decentralisation process in Albania, identifies opportunities and risks which may hamper the effective implementation of the project and advises on suitable action/corrective measures;
- Leads and participates in conferences, seminars, workshops, round-tables and working groups organised within the framework of the project, to this end contributes to the preparation of documentation and other materials, as may be necessary;
- Maintains regular contacts with the Council of Europe relevant services in Strasbourg and the Swiss Cooperation Office-Albania and ensures a regular information flow on activities organised and progress in project implementation;
- Maintains regular contacts and is the project contact person for key national and international stakeholders, including relevant ministries, the parliament, associations of local and regional authorities in Albania, local government units, NGOs, international organisations and international aid agencies operating in the field of local governance and decentralisation;
- Contributes to the efficient functioning of the office, in collaboration with the Head of Office, the Deputy Head of Office and the direct Project management in Strasbourg.

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

Additional info about programme/project

This local recruitment procedure is open to applicants already present in Albania.

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 public administration, political science or other relevant area would be an advantage.

Experience:
› At least five years of relevant professional experience in particular in: project management on an international/European level, capacity-building activities and/or political negotiations.

Language requirements:
› Excellent knowledge of Albanian (mother tongue level);
› Very good knowledge of one of the official languages (English);
› Knowledge of French would be an 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
- Proven experience in project management;
- Knowledge of project management methodology and tools, understanding of budgetary and financial administration management;
- Relevant professional experience in the field of local self-government, solid knowledge and understanding of European standards for local democracy and of the Council of Europe work in this field;
- Professional experience in working with international organisations and/or NGOs would be a distinct advantage;
- Sound understanding and knowledge of local government and decentralisation issues in Albania;
- Knowledge of the overall political, economic and social situation in Europe, and in particular in Albania;
- Ability to work under pressure; and to provide informed advice as appropriate;
- Sound ICT skills (standard tools including spreadsheets and databases)

› Teamwork and co-operation
› Planning and work organisation
› Analysis and problem solving
› Drafting skills
› Results orientation
› Initiative
› Communication

Desirable:
› Creativity and innovation
› Resilience

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

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 01 February 2016 (midnight Central European 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.