Under the authority of the Co-ordinator for the CoE/EU Horizontal Facility, and the supervision of the Head of the Legal Co-opeartion Division, the Senior Project Officer will carry out multiple assignments to meet the overall and specific objectives for the implementation of the Project “Accountability of the Judicial System” under the CoE/EU Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey.

The Senior Project Officer shall perform the following tasks, in close co-operation with the Project team, and in accordance with the Organisation’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’s workplan and its calendar of activities;
• Supervises administrative and logistical support to implement the project;
• Suggests priorities and adjustments to the content, methodology or the workplan as necessary;
• Reports on the project’s progress and if and when problems occur;
• Ensures that strategic decisions are carried out;
• Co-ordinates and contributes to financial, administrative and technical implementation of the project and ensures close budgetary follow-up of all project expenditures, in accordance with regulations, procedures and donor requirements;
• Provides regular advice to Headquarters about national developments with regard to the judiciary;
• Provides theme related or legal research with regard to the specific issues addressed by the Tri-Annual Plan of Action (TAPA) interventions;
• Assists CoE experts to ‘translate’ standards into the domestic context;
• Liaises with local partners and stakeholders (governmental and non-governmental) as well as national and international consultants regarding the implementation of the project and its activities;
• Maintains regular contacts with the European Union Delegation in Podgorica and ensures a regular information flow on the activities organised and progress in project implementation;
• Co-leads the national Steering Committee Meetings with EUD when required;
• Drafts and provides elements to all project related reports (activity, bi-monthly and progress reports, information notes, briefings, contributions, etc.);
• Contributes to raising the visibility of the project by drafting web news items and press releases, providing inputs for HF Newsletter and social media, by disseminating information and by providing advice and input on publications;
• Assists 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 the colleagues and the direct project management;
• Undertakes official journeys in connection with the 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, preferably in law, international relations, social sciences, political science or a related field would be an asset.

Experience:

•At least three years of relevant professional experience contributing to the implementation of assistance and co-operation projects in the area of justice and human rights on a national level.
•Good knowledge of the judiciary and its institutions in Montenegro.
•Knowledge of relevant Council of Europe and European standards.

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 of carrying out corresponding duties of project manager and project implementation in the framework of national or international assistance and co-operation programmes, in particular, in the field of human rights or judicial reforms;
• Knowledge of specific project management tools (Project Management Methodology, logframes, risk monitoring, etc.);
• Knowledge of Council of Europe and other international policies, standards and best practices with regard to judicial independence and impartiality;
• Knowledge of the overall political and social situation in Europe, particularly in Montenegro;
• Ability to conceive and provide informed advice as appropriate;
• Sound computer skills of standard tools in office applications (word processing, presentation software, outlook, internet/intranet publications).

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

Desirable:

• Creativity and innovation
• Resilience
• Concern for quality
• Adaptability

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 17 August 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.