Under the authority of the Co-ordinator for the CoE/EU Horizontal Facility and the supervision of the respective Head of Division in the Directorate for Human Rights and Rule of Law, the Project Assistant will carry out multiple assignments needed for the implemenation of interventions under the Tri-Annual Plan of Action (TAPA) under the “EU/CoE Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey”, in co-operation with the donors, partners and other stakeholders, and in compliance with the organisation’s regulations and/or donor requirements.

The interventions will address one or several of the following themes:

-          Ensuring Justice

-          Fighting Corruption, Economic Crime and Organised Crime

-          Promoting Anti-Discrimination and Protection of the Rigths of Vulnerable Groups

Employment is limited to the duration of the Projects (between 18 and 24 months).

The Project Assistant performs the following key duties in close co-operation with the Project team, and in accordance with the Organisation’s procedures, guidelines and priorities, with a concern for quality, efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality:

• provides administrative support to the daily implementation of activities as in TAPA (production and distribution of documents, translations, practical organisation of meetings, invoice control);

• assists in the day-to-day implementation, preparation, organisation and follow-up of the activities of the Project, completing all necessary arrangements in advance and in a timely manner;
• follows up work or activities in progress and reports to the supervisor, especially if and when problems occur;
• makes practical arrangements connected to project activities (travel, visa requests, accommodation and meeting venue bookings, local transport arrangements, interpretation);
• drafts and formats correspondence, memos, documents, contract letters and financial arrangements in line with instructions and relevant procedures;
• supports communication and visibility linked to relevant interventions (updates websites/social media, communication material, organisation of visibility events, preparation of press files);
• prepares the submission of financial support documents for final payment and reimbursement of experts; provides and verifies any other financial information and documentation as regards the activities implemented;
• assists in ensuring budgetary follow-up of the organisation of activities at every stage;
• organises and keeps project documents and files up to date (activity planning, official reports, expertise and other documents, outgoing and incoming correspondence, contact lists);
• ensures the circulation of pertinent information and documents among the project team and the Office;
• contributes to the efficient functioning of the Office, in collaboration with the Programme Co-ordinator and the direct project management.

Note: The incumbent may be required to travel.

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

This local recruitment procedure is open to applicants already present in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.

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.

Experience:

• At least two years of professional experience relating to administrative or project support duties or similar;
• Experience in contributing to the implementation of international co-operation activities would be an advantage.

Language requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of Macedonian (mother tongue level);
• Very good knowledge of one of the official languages (English);
• Knowledge of French 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 in administrative work, including preparation of documents of financial significance;
• Experience in arranging travel and visas;
• Experience in assisting in the organisation of training seminars, conferences, other events;
• Experience in working in projects in the field of human rights, rule of law or justice would be an advantage;
• ICT skills: sound computer skills and experience using standard tools in office applications (word processing, presentations, spreadsheet, databases, outlook, internet publications).
  • Teamwork and co-operation
  • Planning and work organisation
  • Drafting skills
  • Results orientation
  • Concern for quality
  • Service orientation
  • Initiative

Desirable:

• Resilience
• Adaptability
• Communication

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 28 July 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.