Seconded National Expert - National Human Rights Protection
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is organising a call for expression of interest to constitute a reserve list for Seconded National Experts in the Institutional Cooperation and EU Charter Unit.
Background
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) provides independent, evidence-based advice to policymakers, to help ensure full respect for fundamental rights across the EU, for everyone. To this end, the Agency collects and analyses information and data on a range of fundamental rights issues, provides assistance and expertise to EU Institutions and to EU Member States’ governments, raises rights awareness, communicates its findings, and strengthens cooperation and ties between fundamental rights actors.
Institutional Cooperation and EU Charter Unit
The Unit Institutional Cooperation and EU Charter facilitates the Agency's cooperation with its partners and networks to support fundamental rights compliant law and policy making in the EU and its Member States. The Unit works with a wide range of actors at the international, EU, national and local levels – intergovernmental organisations, EU institutions, Member State governments, national bodies with a human rights remit, civil society organisations and human rights cities. It also seeks to strengthen the capacity of actors at all levels to apply the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in their work. The unit is composed of three sectors: the Charter, Rule of Law and Democracy Sector, the National Partnerships and Networks Sector, and the Institutional Relations and Policy Sector.
Duties
The successful candidate will work in the Institutional Cooperation and EU Charter Unit under the supervision of the Head of Unit. They will also work closely with other members of the Unit, as well as staff across the Agency.
The jobholder will support the work of the Unit in line with its priorities in a given year, as set out in the Agency’s Programming Document. The jobholder will draw on their expertise and knowledge to strengthen cooperation and partnerships with national stakeholders, with a focus on national authorities and public bodies competent for human rights (National Human Rights Institutions, Ombudspersons, Equality Bodies, etc.).
The jobholder will be expected to carry out the following tasks:
- Support the conceptualisation and development of mechanisms to strengthen FRA’s interaction and cooperation with relevant stakeholders in the Member States, with a focus on national authorities and public bodies competent for human rights.
- Facilitate relations and exchange of information with national human rights actors and national administrations in the Member States.
- Develop materials that are tailored to the needs of various national stakeholders, drawing on the evidence generated by the Agency.
- Create partnerships and co-develop initiatives (joint events and products) with national actors, such as National Human Rights Institutions and specialised bodies.
- Contribute to in-person or online meetings with partners and capacity-building activities, including through facilitating mutual learning and experience exchange among national actors.
- Draft briefings, speaking points and analytical papers on issues falling within the SNE’s area(s) of work.
- Based on FRA research findings, draft materials providing fundamental rights guidance and oversee their co-development in consultation with other experts, in English.
- Support work within specific FRA activities in the SNE’s area(s) of technical, legal and/or policy expertise, including in relation to research and data collection.
- Present the work of the Unit and the Agency at external meetings and events, in line with the Agency’s position.
- Participate in, and contribute to, the organisation of external meetings, which may entail mission travel to any EU Member State.
Duties applicable to all SNEs:
- Actively work towards the achievement of the goals of the FRA in accordance with the Strategic Plan;
- Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities assigned by the manager.
Eligibility requirements
To be admissible for this selection, candidates must fulfil all the following conditions by the deadline for submission of applications:
General conditions
- Be employed by a national, regional or local public administration or an intergovernmental organisation (IGO), or an independent university or research organisation, which is part of the public sector (that does not seek to make profit; in other words – is not a private institution);
- Have worked for their employer on a permanent or contract basis for at least 12 months before the secondment and shall remain in the service of that employer throughout the period of secondment;
- Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and EFTA or a country with which the Council has decided to open accession negotiations[1].
Education
· Have a university degree attested by a diploma in one of the following areas:
- Law, social and political science, international relations, or related university degree.
Only diplomas and certificates that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. [2]
Language skills
· Have a thorough knowledge (level C1) of English, as this is the working language of FRA, and
· Have a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) of another language of the EU.
The levels indicated correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages[3].
[2] Any equivalence certificate shall be issued by the deadline for applications. More information on recognition of academic diplomas available here: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/education/university/recognition/index_en.htm
Selection criteria
In order to admit the best-qualified and most suitable candidates to the interview and possible test phase, the Agency will screen the candidates against essential and advantageous criteria. Candidates must substantiate in their application how these criteria are met.
Essential criteria:
- At least 3 years of work experience at a level equivalent to the post and relevant to the tasks listed under section 2 “Duties”;
- Work experience in national government or a public body competent for human rights;
- Experience of having successfully led or facilitated cooperation with partners in the area of human rights (either at European or national level);
- Proven ability to draft high-quality policy papers and/or legal analyses (in English) in areas of work corresponding to those of FRA;
- Experience in delivering effective oral presentations for multiple audiences.
Advantageous criteria:
- Experience in organising and moderating stakeholder dialogues and meetings.
- Experience in cooperating with international bodies and/or EU institutions, bodies or agencies.
In addition to the essential and advantageous criteria, candidates invited to the interview and test phase will also be assessed against the following requirements:
- Communication: communicate clearly and precisely both orally and in writing;
- Analysis and Problem-solving: ability to identify the critical facts in complex issues and to develop creative and practical solutions;
- Working with Others: work cooperatively with others in teams and across organisational boundaries and respect differences between people; create a sense of team spirit by encouraging shared goals and exchange of knowledge and experience;
- Prioritisation and Organisation: ability to prioritise the most important tasks, work flexibly and organise own and others’ workload efficiently;
- Quality and Results: take personal responsibility and initiative for delivering work to a high standard quality within set procedures; show clear customer orientation (internal and external); build systematic and methodical processes into projects and work of self and own team;
- Resilience: remain effective under work pressure, be flexible and adapt to a changing work environment; encourage others to do the same and adjust own and team’s approach to embrace changing circumstances.
Selection criteria
In order to admit the best-qualified and most suitable candidates to the interview and possible test phase, the Agency will screen the candidates against essential and advantageous criteria. Candidates must substantiate in their application how these criteria are met.
Essential criteria:
- At least 3 years of work experience at a level equivalent to the post and relevant to the tasks listed under section 2 “Duties”;
- Work experience in national government or a public body competent for human rights;
- Experience of having successfully led or facilitated cooperation with partners in the area of human rights (either at European or national level);
- Proven ability to draft high-quality policy papers and/or legal analyses (in English) in areas of work corresponding to those of FRA;
- Experience in delivering effective oral presentations for multiple audiences.
Advantageous criteria:
- Experience in organising and moderating stakeholder dialogues and meetings.
- Experience in cooperating with international bodies and/or EU institutions, bodies or agencies.
In addition to the essential and advantageous criteria, candidates invited to the interview and test phase will also be assessed against the following requirements:
- Communication: communicate clearly and precisely both orally and in writing;
- Analysis and Problem-solving: ability to identify the critical facts in complex issues and to develop creative and practical solutions;
- Working with Others: work cooperatively with others in teams and across organisational boundaries and respect differences between people; create a sense of team spirit by encouraging shared goals and exchange of knowledge and experience;
- Prioritisation and Organisation: ability to prioritise the most important tasks, work flexibly and organise own and others’ workload efficiently;
- Quality and Results: take personal responsibility and initiative for delivering work to a high standard quality within set procedures; show clear customer orientation (internal and external); build systematic and methodical processes into projects and work of self and own team;
- Resilience: remain effective under work pressure, be flexible and adapt to a changing work environment; encourage others to do the same and adjust own and team’s approach to embrace changing circumstances.
Conditions of secondment
Seconded national experts are staff employed by a national, regional or public administration or IGO, who are seconded to FRA so that it can use their expertise in a particular field. The secondment will be subject to an exchange of letters between the Appointing Authority of FRA and the representative from the sending employer.
A seconded national expert remains in the service of their employer throughout the period of secondment and shall continue to be paid by that employer. The SNE shall be entitled to a daily and monthly subsistence allowance in line with the MB Decision 2017/01[1].
At the time of publication of this vacancy, the daily allowance including a correction coefficient for Austria is 173.30€, paid per calendar day. The monthly allowance, based on the distance between place of origin and place of secondment (Vienna):
- 0-150km: €0
- >150km: €111.40
- >300km: €198.03
- >500km: €321.84
- >800km: €519.88
- >1300km: €816.96
- >2000km: €977.90
The initial period of secondment will be for one year and the secondment may be renewed. The place of secondment shall be Vienna, Austria, where FRA is located.
[1] Rules on the Secondment to FRA of National Experts and National Experts in Professional Training: http://fra.europa.eu/en/about-fra/recruitment/seconded-national-experts
Submission of applications and deadline
Candidates are requested to submit their application electronically through the Agency’s website: fra.europa.eu. Only applications submitted in English via the e-recruitment system will be accepted.
Applications must be sent no later than 12/05/2025 13:00 (Central European Time (CET)).
Information concerning the status of the selection procedure can be found at http://fra.europa.eu/en/about-fra/recruitment/vacancies .
In case you experience technical problems during your application please contact recruitment@fra.europa.eu within the above mentioned deadline.
Please note that due to the large number of applications we receive, the system may face problems in processing such amounts of data when reaching the deadline for submission of applications. We therefore advise to apply well ahead of the deadline.
Selection procedure
A Selection Committee is nominated by the Appointing Authority of FRA.
Eligibility of candidates will be assessed according to compliance with all formal requirements by the closing date for the submission of applications (please see section 3 “Eligibility criteria”).
Only the applications of eligible candidates will be evaluated in accordance with the selection criteria (see point 4). The Agency will invite the top candidates among those who have obtained at least 60% for a test/interview.
The selection procedure will be composed of an interview and may include a written test, which will be held in English. They will take place either in Vienna (Austria), the place where the Agency has its seat, or online. The shortlisted candidates will receive further detailed information in due time. Shortlisted candidates may be requested to submit a copy of their diploma(s) and evidence of their professional experience, clearly indicating the length and nature of their experience and whether full time or part time work.
Following the proposal of the Selection Committee, the Appointing Authority will decide on the establishment of the reserve list, which will be valid from the date of its establishment (in year ‘N’) until 31 December of year ‘N+2’. Its validity may be extended. The reserve list may be used for future recruitment, should vacancies arise. Candidates should note that inclusion on a reserve list does not guarantee recruitment.
On the basis of the reserve list, the Appointing Authority may offer a contract of secondment. Prior to contract signature, the successful candidate/s will be requested to provide FRA with copies of all relevant documents proving the eligibility requirements.
Please note that the Selection Committee’s work and deliberations are strictly confidential and that any contact with its members is strictly forbidden.
Equal opportunities
FRA is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that its recruitment procedures do not discriminate on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation.
FRA encourages candidates with disabilities to apply. If you consider yourself to have a physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disability that may require special adjustments to the recruitment process (e.g., interview), please indicate any adjustments or arrangements needed, relating to your disability, to recruitment@fra.europa.eu, so FRA can ensure your full and equal participation in the recruitment process.
Data protection
Personal data shall be processed solely for the purpose of the selection procedure.
Please note that FRA will not return applications to candidates. The personal information FRA requests from applicants will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.
Should the candidate have any query concerning the processing of their personal data, they shall address them to recruitment@fra.europa.eu.
For further information with regard to the processing of personal data, please see FRA’s Privacy Statement published on the vacancies page.