Call for Contribution - Head of Rule of Law & Legal Section (VN 001/2026)

ANNEX 1- Call for Contributions

Seconded Personnel – For seconded positions, only personnel nominations received through official channels from EU Member States and EU I institutions will be considered. Contributing States will bear all personnel-related costs for seconded personnel, including salaries, medical coverage and travel expenses to and from the Mission area (including home leave).

The EEAS, Western Balkans Division, requests EU Member States and European Institutions to second experts to the available position with the EUSR Support Team in Kosovo, according to the described requirements and profile:

I. GENERAL CONDITIONS

Citizenship – Citizen of a Member State of the European Union (EU) and enjoying full rights as a citizen.

Integrity – The candidates must maintain the highest standards of personal integrity, impartiality and self-discipline within the EUSR Support Team. Candidates are not allowed to provide or discuss any information or document as a result of access to classified and/or sensitive information related to the EUSR Support Team or respective tasks and activities. The candidates shall carry out their duties and act in the interest of the EUSR.

Flexibility and adaptability – The candidates must be able to work in arduous conditions with a limited network of support and with unpredictable working hours and a considerable workload. They must have the ability to work professionally as a member of the team with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and must be able to cope with possible extended separation from family and usual environment.

Physical and mental health – The candidates must be physically fit and in good health without any physical or mental problems or substance dependency which can impair operational performance in the EUSR Support Team.

Serious deficiencies in any of these general conditions may result in repatriation/termination of the secondment/contract.

II. REQUIREMENTS

A. Essential Requirements

The following are essential requirements in respect of international experts to the EUSR in Kosovo for all Job Descriptions:

Education and Training

The candidates should have a recognized academic qualification under the European Qualifications Framework (EFQ)^*, or equivalent, at a level specified in the individual job descriptions.

Knowledge

The candidates should have good knowledge of the EU Institutions and international standards, particularly related to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Skills and abilities

Language Skills – Spoken and written proficiency in the working language of the Mission. Certain positions may require higher language skills further specified in the individual job descriptions.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills - The candidates must have excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both written and oral.

Organizational skills - The candidates must have excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritise work to meet tight deadlines, and a concern for order and accuracy.

Computer Skills – Skills in word processing, spreadsheet and e-mail systems are essential. Knowledge of other IT tools will be an asset.

Driving Skills – Be in possession of a valid - including Western Balkans/Kosovo area - civilian driver license for motor vehicles (Category B or equivalent). Being able to drive any 4x4 wheel drive vehicles.

Serious deficiencies in any of these essential requirements may result in repatriation/termination of the secondment/contract.
 

B. Desirable Requirements

Knowledge of the Western Balkans – The candidates should have good knowledge of the history, culture, social and political situation of the Western Balkans, in particular through field experience in a multilateral working environment.

Language - Some proficiency in local language(s), depending on the job tasks and responsibilities.

III. ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SELECTED CANDIDATES

Passport – The selected candidate must obtain a passport from their respective national authorities. Possession of a valid diplomatic or service passport for seconded participants is optional.

Visas – Contributing States and selected candidate must ensure that visas are obtained for entry into Kosovo prior to departure from their home country. It is also essential to obtain any transit visas, which may be required for passage through countries en route to the Western Balkans/Kosovo area.

Education diploma(s)/certificates or/and professional certificate(s) - The selected international candidates must have and present to the Mission the University diploma or the professional certificate/diploma, depending on the job description, before signing the contract or the taking up duties.

Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) – For this position, Personal Security Clearance at EU Secret level is mandatory. Possession of valid PSC at EU Secret level, EU Confidential level, NATO secret level, or equivalent national PSC when applying would be considered as advantage.

Medical Certificate – The selected candidates should undergo a medical examination and be certified medically fit for mission duty by a competent authority from the contributing State. This certification must accompany deployed seconded/contracted personnel.

Deficiencies in any of the documents asked for a specific position may result in failure of the selection process.

IV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE SELECTION PROCESS

Gender balance – The EU strives for improved gender balance in CSDP operations in compliance with UNSCR 1325. The EUSR in Kosovo encourages contributing States and European Institutions to take this into account when offering contributions.

Application Form – Applications will be considered only when using the standard Application Form (Annex 2) and indicating which position(s) the candidate is applying for.

Selection process - The candidates considered to be most suitable will be shortlisted and interviewed by audio/video skype/phone before the final selection is made. Candidates should be selected on the basis of relevant competence and experience.

Information on the Outcome –Contributing States and European Institutions will be informed about the outcome of the selection process after its completion.

Data Protection – The EUSR Office processes personal data pursuant to Regulation (EC) 2018/1725 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the EU institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data, as implemented in the EEAS by the Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 8 December 2011. The Privacy statement is available on the EEAS website.

Job Description – The current reporting lines of the following job descriptions might be subject to modification based on the operational requirements.

V. JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Head of Rule of Law & Legal Section (VN 001/2026) Seconded– Expert Level - 1 position (Pristina)

Scope of Work:

The European Union Special Representative in Kosovo (EUSR) is mandated, inter alia, to promote a Kosovo that is committed to the Rule of Law and to assist and facilitate Kosovo's progress on EU priorities.

To assist the EUSR pursue these objectives, the job holder will manage and coordinate the work of a team of legal experts that performs the following functions: assessment of legal developments in Kosovo, chiefly pertaining to public and administrative law, comparative approach between draft Kosovo legislation and EU standards/best practice. The job holder will have to demonstrate a combination of attributes including reactivity, comparative law expertise, acquaintance with international legal norms, managerial experience, and political acumen.

A significant proportion of the work will require liaising and coordination within the EU Office/EUSR in Pristina (notably the rule of section - LMAROL - and the rule of law team in cooperation), as well as with EU Headquarters in Brussels,

i.e. EEAS and European Commission. Furthermore, a high level of interaction is required with local institutions (including but not exclusively the Ministries of Justice) as well as international organisations operating in Kosovo.

Duties and responsibilities:

• To manage and coordinate the daily work of the Rule of Law & Legal Section;
• To follow-up on legal issues, notably directly linked to political developments as well as to issues arising in theatre across Kosovo;
• To advise the EU Office/EUSR on compliance with EU standards and best practice, notably by relying on a comparative approach and an assessment of compliance with EU relevant legislation;
• To liaise closely with other colleagues within the EUSR/EU Office, to provide the legal support necessary for performing their functions;
• To coordinate the delivery of legal opinions, correspondence, technical agreements, talking points;
• In coordination with EU Headquarters, continue to manage the EUSR-led Legislation Review Mechanism (LRM), and to contribute subject-matter expertise to the EU led policy dialogue on the rule of law and all relevant coordination bodies.
• As necessary, to advise the EUSR on the legal implications of his/her mandated activities and interventions, and support, as required, the work of the EUSR's Administration Section with professional legal advice.
• Undertake any other tasks as required.

Job requirements:

• University degree in Law, as evidenced by at least four years of full-time study, preferably with specialization in International Law, European Law, Criminal Law, and/or Human Rights law;
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in criminal justice, human rights, rule of law or justice sector reform, with at least four years' supervisory experience, preferably within an international environment;
• Demonstrated knowledge of comparative law with a focus on constitutional and public affairs;
• Past experience as legal counsel in an international organization or in a central governmental entity is an asset
• Past experience in the region is an asset;

Application form:

^* https://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/content/descriptors-page