Job Description: Secretary (locally contracted in Brussels)

Secretary of the European Union Special Representative forHuman Rights

The Secretary is a locally recruited person with duty station in Brussels. He/she acts as personal assistant to the EUSR and is part of the EUSR's team. The team in Brussels will consist of the EUSR for Human Rights,2 Human Rights Political Advisors,a Finance Officer/Accountant and the Secretary.

ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

The roles, responsibilities and tasks of the Secretary in the team include the following:

  • acting as personal assistant to the EUSR;
  • acting as a focal point in the EUSR office in Brussels for incoming calls and correspondence;
  • assisting in correspondence and contacts relating to appointments and preparation of missions and meetings;
  • keeping of planning calendar of the EUSR and his team;
  • mission preparations including the reservation of tickets and hotel and obtaining visas for the EUSR and his team;
  • establish and maintain an updated list of contacts of the EUSR team;
  • filing and storing of documents, including setting up a systematic archive (IT and hard copy) for reports and correspondence;
  • communicationwith the EEAS and other relevant actors on office related administrative issues such as office equipment, furniture, telephones, computers and IT connections;
  • assist and support the EUSR team members in fulfilling administrative tasks;
  • assist the accountant i.e. with travel claims from missions;
  • set-up and organisation of multiple meetings (booking meeting rooms, working lunches and dinners, etc…);
  • ARES correspondence and COREU processing;
  • establish and maintain contacts with the Embassies, the European Parliament, the Political Security Committee, Commissioners and the European Commission.

Assist the team of the EUSR in the organisation of Events:

  • Organisation of up to 4 Brainstorming Sessions, each of two-days for approx. 12 participants per event
  • Organisation of up to 4 Human Rights Lecture series with up to 100 participants

Specific responsibilities of organising Events will include:

  • Contacting relevant NGOs in Brussels
  • Contacting key academics or experts
  • Event planning according to the calendar of the EUSR
  • Reserving flight tickets for attendees as required
  • Finding accommodation as required
  • Handling the per diems for the speakers with the help of the financial officer
  • Providing logistical and administrative support
  • Organising working lunches and working dinners between the EUSR and the speakers
  • Organising additional bilateral meetings between the EUSR and speakers
  • Sending out paper invitations and email invitations
  • Setting up a mailing list of people to be contacted every week with news on HR issues
  • Sending out information about the next event
  • Selecting convenient meeting rooms where each event will take place (EEAS or local venue as required)
  • any other tasks to fulfil the mandate of the EUSR as requested by the EUSR

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • Secondary education diploma, preferable a degree in administration
  • To have a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience. Preferable in EU institutions
  • Excellent skills in MS Office (Excel, Word, Power Point)
  • Excellent written and spoken English and excellent spoken French
  • Establish and maintain effective work relations in a multicultural environment
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Former experience in event management would be agreat asset
  • Former experience at the Commission or at the EEAS would be an asset
  • Special interest in and knowledge of Human Rights issues would be an asset

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

  • Only those candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered;
  • This is a full time position;
  • An initial contract under the Belgium law is offered until 30th of June 2013 with a possibility of renewal;
  • If employed, the employee is required to present a valid certificate with the necessary level of security clearance (EU SECRET or equivalent) from the country of permanent residency;
  • The EUSR for Human Rights is based in Brussels;
  • Starting date as soon as possible;
  • Competitive salary package according to experience.

PROCEDURE:

  • The deadline for applications is Oct 15, 2013.
  • All applicants must complete the application form. Applications submitted without the form will not be considered.
  • The selection procedure will take place immediately after the expiry of the deadline for submitting the applications.
  • No late applications will be considered.
  • The candidates considered to be most suitable will be short-listed and, if selected, interviewed in Brussels. Interviews may be scheduled during the second part of October.
  • The EUSR will be responsible for the final selection and notify the candidate selected.

APPLICATIONS:

  • E-mail address to send job application form only is:
  • Please do not send at this stage recommendation letters. Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide such letters.
  • Please do not contact the EEAS as only those shortlisted will be contacted.