The postholder advises and assists the CPT in relation to all aspects of its mandate as set out in the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (ECPT). He/she provides leadership to the CPT’s Secretariat and manages it efficiently, in compliance with the relevant regulations and Council of Europe values.

The postholder has the following duties:

§  to provide continuous advice to the CPT and its Bureau (President and 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents) on the organisation of the Committee’s country visits (periodic and ad hoc) and on the Committee’s ongoing dialogue with Parties to the ECPT. He/she takes part personally in CPT visits and high-level talks with Parties when this is required by the importance of the issues involved;

§  to ensure the smooth running of the thrice-yearly plenary sessions of the CPT and of all related meetings (of the Bureau, visiting delegations, working groups, etc);

§  to provide general guidelines and priorities to the Deputy Executive Secretary and the Heads of the three Divisions in the CPT’s Secretariat responsible for visits, as well as to supervise their work and evaluate their performance;

§  to provide direction and  motivation to all members of the CPT’s Secretariat, ensuring a clear allocation of roles and responsibilities and fostering cooperation, team spirit and a harmonious working environment;

§  to assume responsibility, as cost centre manager (CCM), for the sound management of the financial resources allocated to the CPT’s activities;

§  to promote cooperation, synergy and transversal connections with other Departments of the Council of Europe;

§  to develop cooperation and synergy with other actors, at both national and international level, working towards the prevention of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. Particular attention is to be given to developing the CPT’s relations with the Subcommittee on Prevention and the national preventive mechanisms set up under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture;

§  to maintain contacts as required with the Ministers’ Deputies and the Parliamentary Assembly, and ensure respect of the CPT’s obligation to submit to the Committee of Ministers every year a general report on its activities;

§  to keep the Director of Human Rights and the Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law informed of matters of considerable importance arising out of the CPT’s activities and, when appropriate, to advise the Secretary General on such issues;

§  to promote knowledge of the CPT’s activities among civil society and the general public.

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

Only applicants who best meet the following criteria will be shortlisted. Criteria marked with an asterix (*) are statutory requirements.

·       Qualifications: higher education degree* equivalent to at least a Masters degree (2^nd cycle of the Bologna Framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area), preferably in law or another subject related to the CPT’s activities. 

·       Experience: professional experience, preferably of 12 years or more, in a relevant field of activities; direct experience of visiting or working in places where persons are deprived of their liberty by a public authority would be an asset. 

·       Language requirements: very good knowledge of one of the Council of Europe’s official languages (English and French) and good knowledge of the other.  

·      Nationality: national of one of the 47 Council of Europe member States*.  

·         Age: under 65 years of age, at the closing date of the vacancy notice*. 

·         Vision of international affairs: vision and strategic insight; awareness of the international political, economic, social and cultural context; sensitivity to conflict situations and difficult environments.

·         Managerial skills: strong leadership skills; the capacity to motivate a team and handle complex processes;  coaching of others, with particular emphasis on ensuring the drawing up of high-quality documents within strict time limits;  influence and authority.

·         Professional and technical competencies: profound knowledge of issues concerning deprivation of liberty, in the criminal justice, mental health and/or immigration fields, with particular emphasis on means of protecting persons deprived of their liberty from ill-treatment; the ability to establish facts and make sound assessments in complex situations; extensive experience in managing human and financial resources at a senior level, preferably in an international context; conceptual thinking at a strategic level.

·         Interpersonal skills: relationship-building and networking at senior diplomatic and administrative levels; negotiating skills; diplomacy. 

·         Communication and linguistic skills: highly-developed communication skills, both oral and written; the ability to make clear and convincing presentations and to draft/revise complex documents; knowledge of other European languages would be an asset.

·         Personal attitudes: initiative and responsibility; result orientation and concern for continuous improvement; concern for quality and efficiency; adaptability; self management and development; organisational alignment.

·         Personal values: integrity; loyalty; commitment and conscience; discretion; independence and confidence; respect for diversity.

For more information, please refer to the competency inventory of the Council of Europe.