Under the authority of the Co-ordinator for the CoE/EU Horizontal Facility and the supervision of the Head of the Cooperation and Capacity Building Division of the Education Department, the incumbent will carry out multiple assignments to help meet the overall and specific objectives for the implementation of the Project “Strengthen integrity, combat corruption and foster democratic culture in the education system in Montenegro” which is part of the European Union and Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey.

The Project Officer performs the following key duties:

• assists with the organisation, co-ordination, implementation and follow-up of project activities in accordance with the Project workplan and its calendar of activities, in close co-operation and co-ordination with the Programme Manager, providing expert advice on specific activities and ensuring timely delivery;

• establishes and maintains close working contacts with relevant stakeholders, EUD task manager, NGOs, specialised institutes dealing with education and ensures a regular information flow on the activities organised and progress in project implementation;
• informs regularly the Horizontal Facility Co-ordinator of the implementation of the project and co-ordinates his/her work within the broader framework of the overall Council of Europe Office action in Montenegro;
• serves as country Tri-Annual Plan of Action (TAPA) theme advisor;
• assists CoE experts to ‘translate’ standards into the domestic context;
• provides substance input on specific activities (providing regular advice to Headquarters about national developments in the thematic area, prepare by-monthly reporting);
• provides substance theme/legal research regarding TAPA interventions;
• co-leads the national Steering Committee Meetings;
• participates in meeting between CoE experts and national authorities to increase the capacity in the country;
• ensures strategic decisions are carried out;
• provides effective assessment of results and achievements and regular advice to the Programme Manager about problems encountered; suggests priorities and adjustments as necessary;
• 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;
• contributes to the efficient functioning of the office, in collaboration with colleagues and the direct project management;
• ensures the visibility of the Council of Europe and the European Union in the beneficiary countries by providing input for the Horizontal Facility Newsletter, website and social media;
• 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 Montenegro.

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, preferable in social sciences, education or a related field would be an advantage.

Experience:

• At least three years of professional experience relating to implementation of technical co-operation programmes in social science, education or related field.

Language requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of Montenegrin (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 and knowledge of European education policies and best practice in the education sector and preferably the work of the CoE in this field;
• Proven experience of carrying out corresponding duties in the framework of international or European technical co-operation programmes, in particular, in the field of education would be an advantage;
• Knowledge of specific project management tools (Project Management Methodology, logframes, risk monitoring, etc.);
• General knowledge of the political and human rights situation in the country;
• Experience of working with authorities at national, regional and local level;
• Experience in research and reporting;
• Sound computer skills of standard tools in office applications (word processing, presentation software, outlook, internet/intranet publications).
  • Planning and work organisation
  • Analysis and problem solving
  • Results orientation
  • Concern for quality
  • Teamwork and co-operation
  • Relationship building
  • Initiative

Desirable:

• Communication
• Influencing
• Creativity and innovation
• Negotiation

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 28 July 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.