Vacancy Notice N° o1/2019
Senior Project Officers (Grade B5)
Directorate of Programme Co-ordination
Council of Europe Office in Belgrade


Closing date: 21 January 2019
Location : Belgrade

Job mission

Under the authority of the Head of Office and the supervision of the Programme Manager and in cooperation with the Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform of the Council of Europe, the Senior Project Officers will assist in the management and implementation of the European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme ‘Human Resources Management in Local Self-Government – Phase II’.

 

Employment is limited to the duration of the project which is expected to end in December 2021.

 

Key activities

The incumbent performs the following tasks in accordance with the Organisation’s procedures, guidelines and priorities, with a concern for quality, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality:

  • Organises and co-ordinates the administrative, financial and technical implementation of programme activities in accordance with the programme work plan, assuming primary responsibility for the organisation of activities and related contracts;
  • Participates in meetings and events organised within the framework of the programme, contributes to the preparation of documents and other materials for these meetings and events and undertakes follow-up action;
  • Monitors expenditure and proposes adjustment measures, in line with Council of Europe financial regulations and procedures;
  • Monitors progress, evaluates results, identifies appropriate adjustments and ensures reporting to meet contractual obligations;
  • Contributes to the drafting and updating of technical and financial reports, in cooperation with the programme manager;
  • Prepares reports, briefings, speaking notes and other documents related to the programme objectives;
  • Coordinates the work of the local project assistants;
  • Liaises with programme stakeholders such as consultants, beneficiary institutions, donors and other partners as regards the implementation of activities;
  • Maintains regular contacts with the relevant Services of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) concerning the implementation of programme activities;
  • Reports to superiors on the results achieved, on further requirements, risks and opportunities of developments or events;
  • Contributes to raising the visibility of the programme by disseminating information to those concerned and ensures adequate information flows among the programme stakeholders and relevant partners and experts;
  • Carries out allocated assignments for related activities organised by the Council of Europe;
    • 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;

-          Promotes Council of Europe values internally and externally.

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

 

 

Eligibility Requirements

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

 

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, law, political sciences or other relevant area would be an advantage.

 

Experience:

  • At least three years of relevant experience in Serbian local self-government or government institutions;
  • At least three years of relevant experience in project implementation, capacity-building and training activities related to local and central government;
  • Experience in the management and coordination of EU-funded projects.

 

Language requirements:

  • Excellent knowledge of Serbian (mother tongue level);
  • Very good knowledge of one of the official languages (English).

 

Nationality:

  • Nationality of the 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.

 

Employee Core Values

Council of Europe staff members adhere to the values Professionalism, Integrity and Respect.

 

Competencies

Essential:

  • Professional and technical expertise:
  • thorough understanding of local and national government issues and good governance;
  • knowledge of the existing systems of local self-government;
  • knowledge of the Council of Europe’s principles and standards for local democracy; 
  • knowledge of the local and national political, economic, social and cultural context;
  • understanding of budgetary and financial administration;
  • knowledge of project management tools (Project Management Methodology, logframes, etc.);
  • ICT skills: sound computer skills and experience using standard tools in office applications (word processing, presentations, outlook, spreadsheet, databases, internet publications);
  • availability to travel.
    • Teamwork and co-operation
    • Planning and work organisation
    • Analysis and problem solving
    • Results orientation
    • Concern for quality
    • Relationship building
    • Drafting skills

 

Desirable:

  • Professional and technical expertise:
    • experience working with international organisations, donors and/or NGOs;
    • knowledge of the relevant acquis and tools.

 

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

 

Additional information

The Programme aims inter alia to provide Council of Europe legal expertise, policy advice and support for enhancing the process of local self-government reform and strengthening the capacities of local authorities in line with European standards in the field of human resources management and professional development in local self-governments.

Applications

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 21 January 2019 (midnight Paris Time).

Any false statements knowingly made by applicants in their application for employment or at the time of their engagement will result in the termination of their employment by the Council of Europe.

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 Organisation

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.