Senior Project Officer

The Council of Europe Office in Belgrade facilitates the implementation of the Council of Europe's mission in Serbia on human rights protection, democracy support and the rule of law. We co-ordinate and implement co-operation projects and programs aimed at supporting Serbia 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 "Improving the treatment of inmates with mental health issues and increasing efficiency and quality of alternative sanctions, and post-penal care”[1] within the Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty Division (CPDL). The project team will include one Project Assistant and one Senior Project Officer. 
[1] Subject to project validation, funding and implementation period.

As a Senior Project Officer, you will: 

• plan, organise, implement and follow-up project activities in accordance with the project work plan and in line with the Council of Europe's procedures and the Project Management Methodology (PMM), with a concern for quality, efficiency, accuracy, and confidentiality;
• design project activities and financial work plans and ensure close monitoring and follow-up of expenditures in accordance with the Council of Europe regulations and procedures and in co-operation with the Programme coordinator in Strasbourg; 
• co-ordinate and support the organisation of project inputs through tailor-made events (seminars, workshops, conferences, expert meetings, etc.);  
• ensure budget monitoring and the implementation of project related procurement procedures and verify the purchase files, draft contracts, deliverables, and payment documents; 
• co-ordinate, organise and supervise the work of the Project Assistant, as well as that of international and national short-term consultants, including ensuring follow-up and quality of progress and draft/final deliverables; 
• prepare and draft documents in accordance with the quality and style requirements of the Council of Europe (e.g. progress, annual, and mission reports, terms of reference for various contractual engagements, briefings, speaking notes, official speeches, relevant meeting documentation and minutes, etc.);
• assist in the preparation of files and information for the internal and external evaluations and audits; 
• contribute to raising the visibility of the project by drafting web news, press releases and disseminating information;
• establish and maintain close working contacts with the project’s main beneficiary, project partners and local stakeholders, international organisations and NGOs working in the field of deprivation of liberty, human rights, women’s rights, criminal justice, etc.; 
• undertake official journeys in connection with project activities and participate in meetings, seminars, working groups, etc., related to project activities;
• contribute to the efficient functioning of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade and regularly inform the Office management on the implementation of the project and co-ordinate work within the broader framework of the overall activities of the Office; 
• monitor developments at national level (legal, policy, institutional) in the areas covered by the Project and keep the Project and Office management, as well as the CPDL, regularly informed, including on project results, further needs and risks and opportunities for further interventions;
• contribute to the development of new project proposals and activities;
• perform other duties as required to ensure the efficient implemnetaion of the project;
• promote Council of Europe values internally and externally.

You must: 

• have a completed full course of general secondary education and appropriate professional qualifications  in international relations, social/gender/political studies, law or a related field;
• have a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in the areas relevant to gender/human rights and/or deprivation of liberty, and experience in project management/implementation of technical cooperation or policy-oriented programmes at an international and/or national level; 
• have an excellent knowledge of Serbian (first language level) and a very good knowledge (at least C1 level) of English (one of the Council of Europe’s two 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 Serbia;
• 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 - Results orientation
• Interpersonal - Teamwork and co-operation

• Professional and technical expertise:

• good knowledge of and experience in applying internationally recognised project management methodologies and tools;
  

• good knowledge of the Council of Europe and other international standards in the field of deprivation of liberty, gender and/or human rights; 

• good level of understanding of the main challenges and functioning of the Serbian prison system;

• sound computer skills and experience in using standard tools in office applications (word processing, presentations, outlook, spreadsheets, databases, internet publications).

• Interpersonal - Relationship building
• Interpersonal - Communication
• Interpersonal - Initiative

• Professional and technical expertise:

• hold a higher education degree or qualification equivalent to a master’s degree (1^st cycle of the Bologna process framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area) in international relations, social/gender/political studies, law or a related field.

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].