(box)

How to apply?

(popup)

Each of the vacancies advertised on our Career Portal includes a detailed list of the specific criteria for each role, including eligibility requirements, essential competencies (that you must have), and desirable competencies (that are nice to have).

Before applying, please carefully review the vacancy notice to ensure you meet all the specified eligibility requirements.

To apply for a vacancy, you can upload your CV from your computer, tablet or smartphone. Please note that this CV will be used solely to autofill your application form and will not be attached to your application.

If you have any issues, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of the information provided in your application form. At this stage, there is no need to submit additional documents or information via email (and we will not add such documents to your application).

Please note that any hyperlinks you may add to your application will not be opened for security reasons and that their content will not be taken into account in the screening of your application.

Final tip: Don’t wait until the deadline, we don’t want you to miss out on the opportunity!

(box)

General requirements to apply

(popup)

  • Nationality: you must be a national of one of our 46 member States (except for local recruitments in non-member States)
  • Age: you must be below the compulsory retirement age of 65 to apply. Other age limits may apply for specific profiles (e.g. the Junior Professional Programme has a maximum age set at 35).
  • Languages: the Council of Europe has two official languages: English and French. Requirements vary from one job to another, however we generally require a very good knowledge of one of these languages (including for traineeships). In certain cases, proficiency in other European languages may be required or be considered an advantage.
  • National service: you must have discharged any obligation concerning national service (military, civil or comparable).
  • Family ties to serving staff: your application will not be considered if you are a parent, child, stepchild or grandchild of a serving staff member of the Council of Europe.

(box)

Junior Professional Programme

(popup)

For the Junior Professional Programme, you must:

  • hold a second cycle qualification (Bologna Process framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area) 
  • have a maximum of two years relevant work experience. 
  • be under 35 years of age at the closing date of the vacancy notice.

(box)

Local recruitment

(popup)

For a local recruitment, you must:

  • already be present in the host country at the time of recruitment;
  • not currently hold a fixed-term (CDD) contract with our Organisation. Former staff members whose fixed-term contract has ended less than 12 months before the deadline to apply will also not be considered.

(box)

Secondment

(popup)

For a secondment, you must:

  • have at least three years' experience of administrative, advisory or supervisory duties in a grade equivalent to categories A or B4 to B6 at the Council of Europe. Detailed job descriptions are available with each call for candidates.
  • have thorough knowledge of one of the Council of Europe's official languages (English or French) and, where necessary for the performance of their duties, satisfactory knowledge of the other.
  • have the support of the country seconding you to the Council of Europe. When applying online for a secondment, you will be asked to select from a drop-down list, the Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe that supports your secondment. When you submit your application, an e-mail will be sent directly to this Representation informing them about your application and asking them to validate your application within 10 working days. Without this validation, your application cannot be considered.

(box)

Traineeship

(popup)

For a traineeship, you must: 

  • be aged 18+, have completed a minimum of three years of university study and have been awarded a degree for the first cycle of higher education within the meaning of the Bologna declaration at the time of applying (as well as Masters 1 for traineeships at the European Court of Human Rights);
  • have a very good knowledge of one of the two Council of Europe official languages (English or French).