Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law

Shape the future of human rights across Europe and the wider world.

Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law

(Grade A7)

Strasbourg, France

Based in Strasbourg, France, the Council of Europe brings together 47 member states to protect and promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law throughout Europe and beyond. Reporting directly to the Secretary General, you will provide leadership to, and ensure efficient management of the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law which include the Directorates for Human Rights, Information Society and Action against Crime, and the Enlarged Agreement on Democracy through Law (Venice Commission).

Operating at the highest strategic level, you will participate in defining our objectives and will oversee the delivery of the programme of activity that embed human rights and rule of law across Europe. At the same time, you will assist the Committee of Ministers in supervising the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and oversee the work of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the European Committee of Social Rights and committees concerned with corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism. You will be central to the development of human rights policies across the continent.

Alongside a master’s degree in Law, Political Science, Social Science or a related discipline, you should bring extensive human rights experience at the highest levels. Ideally you will join us from a politically sensitive international environment and you will be familiar with managing substantial teams, creating effective strategies and taking high-level decisions. It is essential that you can communicate in both our official languages of English and French, and you will preferably have some command of other European languages.

Applications should be made in English or French using the Council of Europe online application system at www.coe-recruitment.com before the deadline of 5 April 2017.