Under the authority of the Director of Communications, the incumbent will respond to media requests, maintain regular contacts with journalists, media organisations and bloggers, in particular with Russian-language media, convey clearly defined messages to these media, update and expand media existing databases, in accordance with the Council of Europe communication strategy and in compliance with relevant mandates, regulations and Council of Europe values.

The incumbent performs all or a combination of the following duties:

-        develops and formulates key messages for target audiences;

-        maintains regular contacts internally with colleagues in entities and directorates of the Council of Europe;

-        organises media coverage of Council of Europe events: arranges interviews, prepares social media posts, TV/radio programmes and other media events;

-        drafts press releases, statements, articles, factsheets, talking points, summaries and web items in journalistic style;

-        advises the Director of Communications/Spokesperson of the Secretary General on media topics in particular as regards Russian-language media;

-        represents the Director of Communications/Spokesperson of the Secretary General and the Head of the Media Relations Division at internal and external meetings;

-        undertakes official journeys in connection with the duties described;

-        works on stand-by and week-end duty when required.

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

·       Qualifications: higher education degree in communication, journalism or other relevant field. 

·       Experience: at least three years professional experience either as a journalist or media officer in a government body, NGO or business. 

·      Language requirements:

o   a very good knowledge of one of the official languages (English or French) and good knowledge of the other;

o   excellent knowledge of Russian in writing and speaking.

·      Nationality: nationality of one of the 47 Council of Europe member states. 

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

Please note that only applicants meeting the above-mentioned requirements will be considered for shortlisting.

Essential:

·         Vision on International Affairs: awareness of the international political, economic, social, and cultural context.

·         Professional and technical competencies:

o   experience of social media, in particular of working with Twitter and Facebook; 

o   a good knowledge of the main political developments in Council of Europe member states, in particular in countries where Russian is an official or minority language; 

o   information seeking and analytical skills. 

•  Communication and linguistic skills:

o   ability to present and draft clearly in Russian, and either in English or in French. 

Desirable:

• Interpersonal skills:

o   service and client orientation;

o   relationship building and networking. 

• Personal values:

o   integrity, loyalty and conscience;  

o   respect for diversity. 

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

Applications must be made in English or French using the Council of Europe on-line application system and submitted at the latest 18 October 2013 (midnight Central European Time). By connecting to our website http://www.coe-recruitment.com you can create and submit your on-line application.   

The selection procedure may vary according to the specific requirements of the job vacancy. It consists of preliminary selection, written papers and/or other assessments, and an interview. Assessments can include ability tests, behavioural questionnaires, job related examinations, situational exercises, language tests as well as full assessment centres.

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

Candidates with the best results in the previous stages of the procedure (tests, exams, etc.) will be invited for an interview.

Following this competition, a reserve list of successful 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. It should be noted that placement on a reserve 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.  

During the period of validity of the reserve list, candidates on the list can be offered fixed-term contracts, which may be prolonged one or more times. The first year of employment will constitute a probationary period.

The compulsory retirement age is 65. 

Details on conditions of employment including salaries, allowances, pension scheme and social insurance can be consulted on the Council of Europe 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.

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.