Programme Manager - Legal Co-operation

The Legal Co-operation Division is part of the Human Rights Directorate within the Directorate General Human Rights and the Rule of Law, and supports the work of three intergovernmental and/or consultative bodies, namely the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ), the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) and the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE). As such, it steers legal co-operation among member States in order to provide effective responses to legal challenges, by elaborating binding and non-binding legal standards in the areas of private and public law, and by supporting members States’ actions to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of their justice systems. Its work is addressed to and involves closely officials of Ministries of Justice, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, lawmakers, court staff, higher courts, self-governing bodies of judges and prosecutors, judicial academies, and training institutions, bar associations, lawyers’ professional associations, and civil society organisations, as well as relevant Council of Europe conventional and monitoring bodies, and other international organisations.

As Programme Manager, you will ensure the development and implementation of the Legal Co-operation Division’s activities in the areas of public and private law and on independence of justice, in accordance with the Organisation’s procedures, guidelines and priorities. You will perform the following key duties: 

• Contribute to the activities of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) and the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE), both advisory bodies composed exclusively of judges for the former and prosecutors for the latter coming from all Council of Europe member states, and which adopt common standards on topical issues that are applicable to each profession with a view to reinforcing their independence and status; 
• Provide professional support in the preparation of the various legal documents adopted by the CCJE and CCPE by carrying out in-depth research, providing advice on rule of law and human rights issues, based on the analysis of laws and practices in member states and on international and Council of Europe standards, drafting preliminary documents, revising draft documents (in particular, annual opinions on specific topics; thematic studies; opinions on specific national situations); 
• Contribute to the activities of the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ), including its subordinate bodies, and to the elaboration of new legal instruments, studies and practical tools for policy makers and professionals, working on a wide range of topics relating to justice, including the independence of the judiciary, the impact of artificial intelligence on the administration of justice and policing, and child-friendly justice;
• Provide professional support in the organisation and/or delivery of activities of the above-mentioned bodies, including meetings, conferences, round tables and/or workshops, by preparing various documents (e.g. draft agendas, working documents, meeting reports, presentations, memoranda), managing information exchange and correspondence, supervising logistics and material preparation, and ensuring follow up on actions agreed as a result of these activities; 
• Coordinate and supervise the work of external experts and teams of consultants, and ensure coordination with relevant Council of Europe bodies and committees as well as other external relevant interlocutors;
• Contribute to the internal and external visibility of the CCJE and CCPE, as well as the CDCJ, and the dissemination of their results;
• Undertake missions in connection with the above activities where requested;
• Support the activities of the Legal Co-operation Division overall;
• Promote the Rule of Law and Council of Europe values internally and externally.

• Operational - Planning and work organisation
• Operational - Analysis and problem solving
• Operational - Concern for quality
• Interpersonal - Teamwork and co-operation

• Professional and technical expertise:
  • Knowledge and understanding of European standards related to the judiciary and the rule of law, of public or private law, and general awareness of rule of law and justice implementation aspects in the wider European political context;
  • avability to take initiative and master assignments with a high degree of autonomy and acute political awareness and sensitivity;
  • skills to communicate and draft clearly, consisely and convincingly in English or in French.

• Operational - Creativity and innovation
• Interpersonal - Adaptability

• Professional and technical expertise:
  • Experience in working in connection with the justice system, including as a judge, prosecutor, lawyer or legal officer;
  • proven skills in establishing and developing professional contacts, and interactions with national delegations, government officials, legal practitioners, international organisations and other stakeholders.

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 foresees the relocation allowance and the travel expenses from the Organisation as indicated in Article 23 of the Resolution.

This secondment should start as from 1^st September 2025. 

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 [email protected], 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 [email protected].