Programme Manager - Human Rights in Local and Regional Democracy

The team within which you will work, the Human Rights Unit, supports the Congress in promoting and protecting human rights at local and regional levels in the 46 member States. It prepares country profiles, compiles relevant case-law, and designs activities to support the implementation of ECHR judgments involving local and regional authorities. The Unit contributes to Congress reports, recommendations, and provides briefings for members, including the Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights. It also engages in events, missions, and communications to raise awareness and foster cooperation on human rights issues.

As a Programme Manager, you will:

• provide advice and prepare country profiles, background documentations and briefing papers, as well as compilation of ECHR case-law in relation with local and regional authorities of 46 member States;
• design specific activities aiming at contributing to the execution of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights that involve local and regional elected representatives and their administrations;
• collect, examine and evaluate information with regard to local and regional authorities competences in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• draft speaking notes and outline papers to assist Congress members, in particular Congress standing rapporteur on human rights;
• draft Congress’ reports, speeches and various contributions dealing with human rights matters, including resolutions and recommendations to the Committee of Ministers;
• if need be, carry out and participate in study visits, conferences and missions of specific nature organised by the Congress on awareness raising on human rights towards local and regional elected representatives;
• organise related events and conferences including meetings arranged by Council of Europe departments and steering committees and co-operate with internal and/or external counterparts and partner organisations of the Congress in respect of human rights;
• draft web articles, news items and press releases regarding Congress activities related to human rights.

• Managerial - Organisational and contextual awareness
• Managerial - Decision making
• Operational - Analysis and problem solving
• Operational - Drafting skills
• Interpersonal - Initiative

• Professional and technical expertise:

• knowledge of and commitment of Council of Europe’s mandate, values, strategic direction and priorities;
• knowledge of and experience in the field of local and regional self-government issues and policies, in particular in relation to democratic decision-making and good governance. 

• Interpersonal - Service orientation
• Interpersonal - Relationship building

• Professional and technical expertise:

• ability to take initiative and master assignments with a high degree of autonomy and acute political awareness and sensitivity;
• excellent oral and written communication skills, with proven ability to provide high quality, clear and concise presentations, documents, reports and recommendations;
• sound computer skills (processing electronic information and database inquiry); use of specific documentation management software. 

This vacancy is for a secondment, ruled by Article 23 of Committee of Ministers’ Resolution CM/Res(2012)2. You can consult the conditions of secondment to the Council of Europe (days of leave, allowances etc.) on the webpage What we offer. This secondment does not foresee any allowances or travel expenses from the Organisation.

This secondment should start as soon as possible.

For more information on how we recruit, you can consult the page Our recruitment process of our Career's website. The deadline for applications is indicated in the General information section of this vacancy notice (see above) and is fixed at 23:59:59 (CET/CEST). Only applicants who meet the conditions of the Committee of Ministers’ Resolution CM/Res(2012)2) and who best meet the abovementioned criteria will be considered for selection and for the next stage.

As an equal opportunity employer, the Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion or belief. Under its equal opportunity policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve gender parity in staff employed in each category and grade. At the time of appointment, preference between suitable people shall be given to the person of the gender which is under-represented in the relevant grades within the category to which the vacancy belongs.

Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact us at talents@coe.int, we will ensure that your request is handled.

The information published on the CoE’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication of the vacancy notice. Any changes to these conditions during the recruitment process will be updated on our Portal and will apply at the time of the job offer. Our career's website is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. Should you have remaining questions, please contact us at talents@coe.int.