Under the authority of the Head of Office and the supervision of the Head of the Cooperation with International Institutions and Civil Society Division, the Project Officer will assist with the implementation of the Project “Strengthening the Human Rights Protection of Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine” in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2015-2017.

Employment is limited to the duration of the Project which is expected to end on 31 December 2017.

Local recruitment procedure organised in accordance with Rule No 1234 of 15 December 2005.

The Project Officer performs the following key duties in accordance with the Council of Europe’s procedures, guidelines and priorities with a concern for quality, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality:

• assists with the logistical, administrative and substance-related organisation, implementation and follow-up of Project activities in accordance with the project work plan;
• contributes to the preparation of documents, including reports, briefings, speaking notes and editing of documents prepared by non-native speakers (in Ukrainian and English); ensures quality and consistency of the documents prepared;
• assists in the organisation of and participates in meetings, seminars, conferences, etc. related to the activities of the Project; drafts meeting minutes and lists of decisions;
• assists in the preparation, control and follow-up of financial documents related to the Project activities; selects local service providers, prepares draft purchase orders, administrative arrangements and contracts;
• liaises regularly with and assists in the coordination of long-term consultants based in the four regions with Project presence, providing administrative and technical support in the organisation of relevant activities;
• provides content-related and organisational assistance to the Project Team and short-term consultants carrying out assignments and missions in the field; 
• contributes to raising the visibility of the Project by overseeing and updating the Project website and by disseminating information to concerned stakeholders;
• provides regular updates to the Project Team on the legal, policy and factual developments relevant to the Project;
• reports to superiors on the results achieved, on further requirements, risks and opportunities of developments or events;
• participates in the assessment of Project activities in order to identify appropriate adjustments;
• liaises with Project stakeholders, beneficiaries, national and regional authorities, and other partners relevant to the implementation of Project activities;
• undertakes official journeys in connection with the activities described above, including to regions with high concentrations of Internally Displaced Persons in eastern Ukraine;
• 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 in headquarters. 

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

The Project “Strengthening the Human Rights Protection of Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine” seeks to:  

• Contribute to the advancement of the legislative and regulatory framework for the human rights protection of IDPs in Ukraine, in line with European and other international standards;
• Enhance the capacity of relevant authorities and other stakeholders to effectively protect the rights of IDPs, including through better coordination and improved access to remedies for IDPs;
• Raise awareness among law and policy-makers, IDPs, host communities, public officials and the general public on the situation of IDPs, their experiences and access to rights;
• Promote the development of an integration policy for IDPs and support community-based IDP empowerment and integration initiatives, with a view to providing durable solutions.

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

Only applicants who best meet the following criteria will be considered for shortlisting.

Qualifications:

Completed full course of general secondary education, followed by a post-secondary qualification corresponding to a minimum of two years studies. A university degree in law, international relations or related fields would be an advantage.

Experience:

• At least three years of professional experience relating to human rights, rule of law or a related field.

Language requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of English;
• Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian;
• Good knowledge of Russian 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

• experience working with government institutions, civil society, and/or international organisations on projects advancing human rights or a related field; 

• familiarity with the main challenges in the sphere of human rights protection of internally displaced persons;
• administrative experience (target-setting and planning, administration, work organisations, reporting and finance); 
• knowledge of project management tools and methodology.

• Planning and work organisation
• Results orientation
• Concern for quality
• Drafting skills
• Initiative
• Organisational and contextual awareness
• Teamwork and co-operation

Desirable: 

• Analysis and problem solving
• Adaptability
• Creativity and innovation
• Service orientation

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 23 May 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.