Project Officer

The Council of Europe Office in Kyiv facilitates the implementation of the Council of Europe's mission in Ukraine on human rights protection, democracy support and the rule of law. We co-ordinate and implement co-operation projects and programmes aimed at supporting Ukraine in fulfilling its statutory and specific obligations as a member State of the Council of Europe. 

You will be part of the team implementing the Project "Strengthening the social dimension in Ukraine" within the Department of Social Rights (Co-operation Unit) of the Directorate General of Human Rights and the Rule of Law of the Council of Europe.

This 21-months project, which started in April 2025, aims to ensure that people from vulnerable groups, including war affected population in Ukraine, benefit from targeted social protection and support.

As a Project Officer, you will:

• assist with planning, organisation, co-ordination, implementation and follow-up of the project activities in accordance with the project workplans and in close co-ordination with the project team in Kyiv and in headquarters in Strasbourg (HQ) as well as with the Head and Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Kyiv;
• contribute to the development of the project workplans and documents (e.g. reports, terms of reference for different contractual engagements, briefings, speaking notes, minutes, etc.) and ensure their consistency;
• contribute to budget monitoring in line with the project budget and workplans;
• contribute to the implementation of procurement procedures required in the context of preparation of project activities and ensure the verification of purchase files, draft contracts and payment documents;
• assist and liaise with local and international short-term consultants, as well as service providers; draft contracts and payment documents; coordinate their work, monitor the progress and report any problems encountered; suggest priorities and adjustments as necessary;
• participate in meetings, seminars, working groups, etc. related to the project activities;
• contribute to raising the visibility of the project by drafting web news items and press releases, by disseminating information and by providing advice and input on publications;
• undertake official journeys in connection with project activities;
• assist in the conduct of the evaluation and audit of the project;
• perform any other task related to the implementation of the project as requested;
• promote the Council of Europe values internally and externally.

You must:

• hold a completed full course of general secondary education and appropriate professional qualifications in law, public administration, international relations, political or social science, or a related field;
• have a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in implementation of technical assistance projects, preferably focusing on protection of social human rights, or at least 2 years of experience in public sector institutions working in the relevant fields;
• have an excellent knowledge of Ukrainian (first language level) and a very good knowledge of English (one of the Council of Europe's official languages);
• be a citizen of the host country or one of the 46 member States of the Council of Europe and fulfil the conditions for appointment to the civil service of that state;
• be present in Ukraine;
• have discharged any obligation concerning national service (military, civil or comparable);
• not be the parent, child, stepchild or grandchild of a serving staff member of the Council of Europe;
• be under the age of 65 years.

Your application must demonstrate to what extent you have the competencies listed below. To help you doing so, feel free to consult our competency framework.

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

• Professional and technical expertise:

• experience in project management and implementation of technical co-operation or policy-oriented projects;
• knowledge and understanding of the Council of Europe standards on human and social rights;
• knowledge of project management tools (Project Management Methodology, logframes, etc.);
• ICT skills: sound computer skills and experience using standard tools in office applications (word processing, presentations, outlook, spreadsheet, databases, internet publications).

• Operational - Results orientation
• Interpersonal - Resilience

• Professional and technical expertise:

• knowledge of the overall political and social situation in Europe;
• experience in working with governmental institutions or civil society on projects and programmes related to social rights, human rights, or related fields.

This job vacancy is for a local external recruitment based on temporary contracts. Employment is limited to 31 December of the current year and may be extended. You can consult the conditions of employment (salaries, allowances, pension scheme, social insurance etc.) on the webpage What we offer.

For more information on how we recruit, you can consult the page Our recruitment process. This recruitment is carried out in accordance with Rule No. 1234 laying down the conditions of recruitment and employment of locally recruited staff members working in Council of Europe Duty Stations located outside of France. 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). When applying, make sure your motivation shows how your competencies make your profile the best for the role.

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].