Notice of vacancy CONS/AD/097
Date: 2011-12-10
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Council of the European Union, job vacancy, legal adviser

10.12.2011 

EN 

Official  Journal of  the  European Union 

C 361 A/1 

V 

(Announcements) 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES 

COUNCIL 

NOTICE  OF VACANCY CONS/AD/097 

(2011/C  361 A/01) 

General information 

Department 

Place  of  work 

Title  of  post 

Function group  and grade 

Legal  Service,  Directorate  5  ‘Justice and  Home  Affairs’ 

Brussels 

Director 

AD 14 

Security clearance  required 

SECRET  UE  (EU Secret) 

Deadline for applications: 

12 January  2012. 

Who we are 

The  Legal  Service  is  the  Council's  legal  adviser.  It  assists  the  Council  and  its  preparatory  bodies,  the  Presi­
dency  and  the  General  Secretariat,  in  order  to  ensure  the  legality  and  the  drafting  quality  of  Council  acts.  It 
contributes,  by  taking  a  creative  approach  where  appropriate,  to  identifying  legally  correct  and  politically 
acceptable  solutions,  in  cooperation  with  other  Council  departments.  The  Legal  Service  also  represents  the 
Council  in  proceedings  before  the  courts  of  the  European  Union.  The  constant objective  of  the  Legal Service 
is  to  provide  timely  contributions  which  are  distinguished  by  their  full  respect  for  the  law,  their  impartiality 
and their  clarity. 

What  we propose 

The  post  is  a  high-profile  position  in  one  of  the  main  European  institutions.  The  Director heads  the  Directo­
rate  ‘Justice  and  Home  Affairs’  in  the  Council's  Legal  Service,  and  the  selected  candidate  will  be  expected  to 
make  a  substantial  contribution  to  the  development  and  progress  of  EU  legislation  in  the  area  of  justice  and 
home  affairs.  (S)he  will  work  in  a  highly  challenging  political  and  legal  environment,  lead  and  motivate  a 
multicultural  team  of  advisers  and  assistants  and  will  be  given  ample  possibility  to  show  her/his  ability  to 
define  and  achieve  objectives,  make  sound  decisions  and  show  good  people  management  skills.  On  top  of 
this we offer an attractive  salary  package. 

Purpose of post 

Under  the  authority  of  the  Director-General,  manage  his/her  Directorate  and  advise  in  the  areas  within  its 
remit. Provide  legal  advice at  high level,  in written  or  oral form, in the  areas within the Directorate's  remit. 

C  361 A/2 

EN 

Official  Journal of  the  European Union 

10.12.2011 

Tasks 

—  Under  the  authority  of  the  Director-General,  manage  his/her  Directorate  and  organise  its  activities,  and 

support and  motivate staff  in their  work, 

—  provide,  on  its  own  initiative  or  upon  request,  advice  and  written  or  oral  opinions  at  high  level  on  legal 
and  institutional  questions  to  the  Council,  Coreper  or  other  preparatory  instances,  as  well  as  to  the 
Secretary-General of  the Council, 

—  advise  the  Presidency  and/or  the  GSC  on  legal  aspects  of  dossiers  in  order  to  contribute  to  finding  solu­
tions  which  are  legally  correct  and  acceptable  by  the  concerned  instance  and  conduct  high-level  studies 
in  the areas within  the Directorate's remit, 

—  represent  his/her service at Director level both within the GSC  and externally, in particular  in its relations 

with  the Presidency, and in  its relations  with the  other  institutions, 

—  ensure  the quality of  the  services  and products  delivered by the Directorate, 

—  ensure  professional  management of  the  Directorate's resources, 

—  ensure  effective communication  and cooperation  both  within the  Directorate and  with the  other Directo­

rates, as well as with  other GSC  services, 

—  follow  the  proceedings  of  the  Council,  Coreper  and,  if  necessary,  other  preparatory  bodies,  take  part  in 
meetings  and,  where  appropriate,  in  briefings  and/or  negotiations  with  a  view  to  reaching  compromises 
and  finding solutions, 

—  assist  and  represent  the  European  Council  or  the  Council  in  legal  disputes and, where  appropriate,  repre­

sent  them in cases  before the EU's courts. 

Competences required 

—  Extensive knowledge  of  EU law. 

—  Good knowledge of  the  functioning and procedures of  the European Union. 

—  Knowledge related to  justice and  home affairs  is key for  the  job. 

—  Take appropriate  action  on one's own initiative. 

—  Ability  to  show creativity. 

—  Capacity  to work in an  international and multicultural environment. 

—  Ability  to  demonstrate diplomacy  and communication  skills. 

—  The  general competency  ‘Interpersonal  communication’  is a key competency for  the job. 

—  Ability  to  maintain good working relationships  with a  range of  interlocutors. 

—  Management  competencies:  management  of  work  and  resources,  organisational  awareness,  decision­

making,  leadership,  staff  development. 

—  Thorough  knowledge  of  one  of  the  official  languages  of  the  European  Union  and  a  satisfactory  knowl­
edge  of  another  to  the  extent  necessary  to  carry  out  the  duties  to  be  performed.  In  practice,  in  view  of 
the  areas  of activity covered, knowledge of at  least French and English is necessary. 

10.12.2011 

EN 

Official  Journal of  the  European Union 

C 361 A/3 

Conditions for admission 

Applicants  must: 

—  be  nationals  of one of  the  Member  States  of  the  European Union, 

—  enjoy  their  full rights as  citizens, 

—  have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws concerning military service, 

—  meet  the  character  requirements  for  the duties involved, 

—  have  a  level  of  education  which  corresponds  to  completed  university  studies  attested  by  a  diploma  when 
the  normal  duration  of  such  studies  is  4  years  or  more,  or  a  level  of  education  which  corresponds  to 
completed  university  studies  attested  by  a  diploma  and  appropriate  experience  of  at  least  1  year  when 
the  normal duration  of  such  studies is  at least 3  years, 

—  have  at  least  15  years'  professional  experience,  at  least  5  years  of  which  must  have  been  spent  in  charge 
of  a  large  administrative  entity,  and  have  effectively  exercised  management  and  organisational  responsi­
bilities. 

Applicants  must fulfil all the conditions for  admission  at the  time of applying. 

Selection procedure 

The  selection  procedure  is  conducted  in  application  of  Article  29(2)  of  the  Staff  Regulations  of  Officials  of 
the  European  Union  (1).  In  order  to assist  the  Appointing  Authority  in  making  its  choice,  an  Advisory  Selec­
tion  Committee  will  be  set  up,  with  responsibility  for  drawing  up  a  list  of  the  best  applicants.  This 
Committee  will  initially  examine  the  qualifications  and  experience  of  the  applicants,  and  the  applicants 
selected will  be invited to attend  an  interview. 

Application 

Applications  should  be  sent  by  mail,  preferably  registered,  to  the  Recruitment  Service,  General  Secretariat  of 
the  Council  of  the  European  Union,  Rue  de  la  Loi/Wetstraat  175,  1048  Bruxelles/Brussel,  BELGIQUE/
BELGIË, no later  than  12 January 2012, the  postmark  being taken as  proof. 

Consideration will  only  be given to complete  dossiers comprising: 

(a)  the  application  form  (ANNEX  3/ANNEXE  3)  duly completed,  dated and  signed  (with  your  original  signa­

ture  on it); 

(b)  a  motivation  letter  accompanied  by  a  detailed  curriculum  vitae,  in  English  or  French,  preferably  in  the 
Europass  format  (http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu),  covering  the  applicant's  entire  career,  listing,  inter 
alia, the applicant's  qualifications,  language knowledge, experience, and current duties; and 

(c)  supporting  documents  relating  to  diplomas  and  professional  experience  (photocopies  only).  Supporting 
documents  relating  to  professional  experience  must  come  from  a  third  party  and  it  is  not  sufficient 
simply to send the  CV mentioned  in (b). 

None  of  these  documents will  be returned. 

(1)  Staff  Regulations  of  Officials  and  Conditions  of  Employment  of  Other  Servants  of  the  European  Union,  laid  down  by 

Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (OJ L 56, 4.3.1968, p. 1) (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). 

C  361 A/4 

EN 

Official  Journal of  the  European Union 

10.12.2011 

NB: 

This  post  requires  security  clearance  allowing  access  to  classified  documents  (SECRET  UE  (EU  Secret)  level). 
Already  having  such  clearance  would  be  an  advantage.  Otherwise,  those  applying  for  the  post  will  be  under­
stood to be prepared  to undergo security  screening  under Council  Decision 2011/292/EU  (2). 

Re-examination of applications 

The  procedures  relating  to  requests  for  review,  appeals  and  referral  to  the  European  Ombudsman  are  set  out 
in  Annex 1  to this vacancy notice. 

Data  protection 

The  rules  governing  the  processing  of  personal  data  in  connection  with  this  selection  procedure  are  set  out 
in  Annex 2  to this notice. 

Equal  opportunities 

The  European  Institutions  apply  an  equal  opportunities  policy  and  accept  applications  without  discrimina­
tion  as  to  sex,  race,  colour,  ethnic  or  social  origins,  genetic  characteristics,  language,  religion  or  beliefs,  poli­
tical  or  any other  opinions,  membership  of  a  national  minority,  wealth,  birth,  disability,  age  or  sexual  orien­
tation. 

Given  the  low  representation  of  women  at  the  higher  management  levels,  the  General  Secretariat  of  the 
Council  would  particularly welcome  applications  from female candidates for  this position. 

(2)  OJ L 141, 27.5.2011, p. 17. 

10.12.2011 

EN 

Official  Journal of  the  European Union 

C 361 A/5 

ANNEX  1 

REQUEST FOR  REVIEW  —  APPEALS PROCEDURES 

COMPLAINTS TO  THE EUROPEAN  OMBUDSMAN 

If,  at  any  stage  of  the  selection  procedure,  you  consider  that  a  decision  adversely  affects  you,  you  may  use  the  following 
means: 

—  Request  for  review of  the decisions  taken by the  Advisory Selection Committee 

Within  10  days  of  the  date  of  the  letter  notifying  a  decision  taken  by  the  Advisory  Selection  Committee,  you  may 
submit a written request for a  review of such decision, setting  out the reasons for  your  request, to: 

Council of  the European Union  
Recruitment  Service  
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat  175  
1048 Bruxelles/Brussel  
BELGIQUE/BELGIË.  
E-mail  address: service.recrutement@consilium.europa.eu  

—  Appeals 

—  You may  submit a  complaint to the  appointing authority  against a  negative reply  to your  request for  review or  any 
other  act  adversely  affecting  you,  under  Article  90(2)  of  the  Staff  Regulations  of  Officials  of  the  European  Union, 
within  the time limits provided for, to: 

Council of  the European Union  
Advisers Unit,  DGA 1B  
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat  175  
1048 Bruxelles/Brussel 
BELGIQUE/BELGIË.  

—  You  may  bring  a  case  before  the  European  Union  Civil  Service  Tribunal  under  Article  91  of  the  Staff  Regulations 

if  the complaint referred  to above  has been rejected. 

—  Complaints  to  the European Ombudsman 

Like any other citizen of  the Union,  you may make a complaint to: 

The  European Ombudsman  
1, avenue du Président Robert Schuman  —  BP 403  
67001 Strasbourg Cedex  
FRANCE  

under  Article  228(1)  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union  and  in  accordance  with  the  conditions 
laid  down  in  Decision  94/262/ECSC,  EC,  Euratom  of  the  European  Parliament  of  9  March  1994  on  the  regulations 
and  general  conditions governing the performance of  the  Ombudsman's duties  ( 1). 

You  should  note  that  complaints  made  to  the  European  Ombudsman  have  no  suspensive  effect on  the  period  of  time 
laid  down  in  Article  90(2)  and  Article  91  of  the  Staff  Regulations  for  the  lodging  of  complaints  or  appeals  with  the 
European Union Civil Service Tribunal  under Article 270 of  the Treaty on  the Functioning of  the European Union. 

(1)  OJ L 113, 4.5.1994, p. 15. 

C  361 A/6 

EN 

Official  Journal of  the  European Union 

10.12.2011 

ANNEX  2 

DATA PROTECTION 

As  the  institution  responsible  for  organising  the  selection  procedure,  the  General  Secretariat  of  the  Council  ensures  that 
applicants'  personal  data  are  processed  in  accordance  with  Regulation  (EC)  No  45/2001  of  the  European  Parliament  and 
of  the  Council  of  18  December  2000  on  the  protection  of  individuals  with  regard  to  the  processing  of  personal  data  by 
the institutions and  bodies of  the  European Union and  on the free  movement of such data  (1). 

The  legal  basis  for  the  selection  procedure  is  the  Staff  Regulations  of  Officials  of  the  European  Union  and  the  Council 
Decision  2011/292/EU  of  31  March  2011  on  the  security  rules  for  protecting  EU  classified  information.  The  selection 
procedure  is  conducted  under  the  responsibility  of  the  Human  Resources  Directorate  (DGA  1A),  Staffing  and  Mobility 
Unit,  and  the  controller  is  the  head  of  that  unit.  The  information  provided  by  the  applicants  will  be  accessible  to 
members  of  the  Recruitment  Service  and  of  the  Advisory  Selection  Committee,  and,  if  necessary,  to  the  legal  advisers' 
unit. 

The  purpose  of  the  processing  operation  is  to  collect  data  identifying  all  the  applicants  for  a  post  with  the  Secretariat-
General of  the Council  and to support selection procedures. 

The  data in question are: 

—  personal data that make it possible to identify the applicants (surname,  first  name, date of  birth, sex, nationality), 

—  information  supplied  by  the  applicants  to  facilitate  the  practical  organisation  of  the  procedure  (postal  address,  e-mail 

address, telephone number), 

—  information  supplied  by  the  applicants  to  make  it  possible  to  assess  whether  they  meet  the  admission  conditions  laid 
down  in  the  notice  of  vacancy  (nationality;  languages;  applicants'  qualifications  and  the  year  they  were  awarded,  type 
of diploma/degree, name of awarding institution; professional  experience), 

—  where  applicable, information on the type and  duration of applicants' security clearance. 

The processing begins on the  date of  receipt of  the application. Applications are filed  and  stored in  archives for 2 years. 

All  applicants  may  exercise  their  right  of  access  to  and  right  to  rectify  personal  data.  Substantiated  requests  should  be  e­
mailed  to the Recruitment Service at  service.recrutement@consilium.europa.eu 

Applicants  may  have recourse at  any time to the European Data Protection  Supervisor  (edps@edps.europa.eu). 

(1)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1. 

ANNEX 3

ANNEXE 3