The position holder is responsible for a certain number of case-files to be processed in English or French, and performs the following duties: 

§  manages a certain number of case-files in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Court’s procedures:

-          examines and deals with applications lodged with the Court in accordance with the general time-limits, internal guidelines and specific country-management meetings instructions;

-          maintains correspondence with the applicants and, where appropriate, with Governments and third parties;  

-          advises applicants in correspondence or, if necessary, in interviews, on the conditions of admissibility of applications to the Court;

-          prepares case-files for the examination by the Judge-rapporteur and for submission to the Court;

-          ensures legal analysis; 

-          attends the Court's sessions and presents cases;

-          drafts judgments, decisions, minutes, reports, notes and other documents;

-          undertakes studies and research relating to the case-law of the ECHR and national law;

-          analyses and distributes information concerning the Court’s case-law. 

§  advises and reports to the Head of Division: reports on the results achieved, on further requirements, risks and opportunities of developments or events.

§  communicates in matters concerning the case-files:

-         ensures that all those concerned are informed appropriately;

-         maintains contacts with counterparts;

-          promotes the values of the Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe internally and externally.

§  Professional and technical competencies:

-          professional knowledge and expertise:  

o   university degree in law of a standard permitting access, either on the basis of qualifications or after passing a competitive examination, to the judicial administration or legal professions in Croatia;

o   minimum two years’ professional experience acquired in the legal field (preferably in the judicial service) in Croatia or in international Organisations; 

o   thorough knowledge of the legal system in Croatia and ability to handle cases arising in other jurisdictions; 

o   knowledge of constitutional and international law;

-          ICT skills: aptitude for using computer facilities;

-          planning and work organisation;

-          information seeking;

-          analytical and judgment skills.

§  Interpersonal skills: service orientation, relationship building and networking, advising.

§  Communication and linguistic skills: excellent knowledge of Croatian (mother tongue level); very good knowledge of one of the official languages of the Council of Europe (English or French) and knowledge of the other; ability to draft legal texts clearly and precisely in English or French. 

§  Personal attitudes: initiative and responsibility, result orientation and sense for continuous improvement, concern for quality and efficiency, adaptability, self-management and development, organisational alignment.

§  Personal values: integrity, loyalty and conscience, discretion, independence and confidence, respect for diversity, commitment to the judicial independence of the Court. 

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

The Organisation 

The Council of Europe is a political organisation founded in 1949 in order to promote greater unity between its members. It now numbers 47 member States. The Organisation’s main aims are to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and to develop common responses to political, social, cultural and legal challenges in its member States. Since 1989 it has integrated most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and supported them in their efforts to implement and consolidate their reforms.

The Council of Europe has its permanent headquarters in Strasbourg (France). By Statute, it 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 European Court of Human Rights is the judicial body competent to adjudicate complaints brought against a state by individuals, associations or other contracting states on grounds of violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Applications

Applications must be made in English or French using the Council of Europe on-line application system.  By connecting to our website http://www.coe-recruitment.com you can create and submit your on-line application.  Applications must be submitted by 15 April 2013 (midnight Central European Time) at the latest. 

This competition is open to nationals of Council of Europe member states.

The selection procedure may vary according to the specific requirements of the job vacancy. It consists of preliminary selection and can include ability tests, behavioural questionnaires, job related examinations, situational exercises, language tests, interviews and full assessment centres.

Depending on the number of applicants, the length of the required professional experience may be increased.  

Only candidates who best match the requirements of the job vacancy and, if applicable, candidates with the best results in the previous stages of the procedure (tests, exams, etc.) will, as a last stage of the procedure, be invited for an interview.

Following this competition, a list of eligible candidates, in order of merit, may be established. This list will be valid for two years with the possibility of extending it to a maximum of four years. During the period of validity of the list, candidates on the list may be offered employment of fixed term duration. It should be noted that placement on this list does not give candidates the right to an appointment within the Council of Europe. Moreover, the choice of candidates from a reserve list is not made solely according to the order of merit.  

The first year of employment will constitute a probationary period. Provided the staff members’ work is considered satisfactory, he/she may be offered  a contract of fixed term duration. However, the total length of employment will not exceed five years. The staff member so recruited shall not be eligible for any subsequent internal competition, promotion or transfer to a post, or for secondment. The compulsory retirement age is 65.

For the moment, this position is limited until 31 December 2013, and may be prolonged. 

Details on conditions of employment including salaries, allowances, pension scheme and social insurance can be consulted on our recruitment website. 

Under its equal opportunities policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve parity in the number of women and men employed in each category and grade. In the event of equal merit, preference will therefore be given to the applicant belonging to the under-represented sex.

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. 

( External recruitment procedure organised in accordance with Article 16 of the Regulations on Appointments)