The Council of Europe is recruiting an Executive Director for its North-South Centre on secondment, based in Lisbon, with applications closing on 5 October 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we read through the vacancy in full because this is the most senior secondment post we have covered, and the eligibility conditions are genuinely narrow, worth understanding fully before you consider applying.
This is a head-of-secretariat role at a body that reaches beyond Europe's own borders, into the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Middle East and Africa.
What the North-South Centre Actually Is
🌍 The European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity, known as the Council of Europe's North-South Centre, is an important instrument of the Council of Europe's external dimension, contributing to the achievement of its strategic priorities beyond the European continent.
🤝 Established in 1989 as an Enlarged Partial Agreement of the Council of Europe, it also brings together states that are not members of the Council of Europe, notably from Africa and the Middle East. As part of the Directorate of Programme Coordination, it serves as a platform for dialogue and exchange, bringing the perspectives of these regions into the debates of the Council of Europe and facilitating political dialogue with partners beyond the European continent. It also raises public awareness of issues of global concern and strengthens commitment, beyond Europe, to the universal principles and values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
👥 The Centre's team, around a dozen colleagues, contributes to the implementation of programmes and projects in line with the Council of Europe's neighbourhood policy, based on the Reykjavik Declaration, and supports representatives of governments, parliaments, local and regional authorities, and civil society, described as a "quadrilogue", with a particular focus on young people. It also takes part in events such as the North-South Prize and the Lisbon Forum, alongside missions and cooperation activities.
📋 The Executive Director of the Centre reports to the Director of Programme Coordination.
What the Role Covers
🏛️ Heading the Secretariat of the North-South Centre and ensuring its smooth functioning, including that of its statutory bodies.
🗺️ Implementing the North-South Centre's medium-term strategy for 2024 to 2027 on relations between Europe and the rest of the world, in particular the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Middle East and Africa.
💡 Advising on prospects for Council of Europe action in areas related to that strategy, and reporting on results achieved, developments in external relations, and opportunities, risks and newly identified needs.
📈 Developing and implementing a strategy to consolidate and develop the Centre, focusing on strengthening relations with stakeholders, in particular member States, enlargement prospects, potential donors, and the identification of short and medium-term objectives.
🤝 Assisting the President and Vice-President of the Executive Committee, and the Committee of Representatives of Member States, in exercising their statutory functions.
⚖️ Ensuring the quadripartite nature of the Centre's decision-making process is respected.
💰 Managing the Centre's human and financial resources.
📅 Preparing, managing and implementing the Centre's annual programme of activities and budget, and ensuring their timely adoption by the competent statutory bodies.
🌐 Maintaining privileged relations with the competent authorities of the host country and ensuring close cooperation with the relevant departments of the Secretariat General in Strasbourg.
🔗 Developing and strengthening cooperation with relevant international organisations, particularly those with which the Council of Europe has concluded cooperation agreements.
What You Must Bring
🏛️ The support of the member State seconding you to the Council of Europe. This is stated first among the requirements and is not negotiable.
🎓 A higher education degree, preferably at Master's level under the Bologna process framework, in public administration, international affairs, international governance and diplomacy, or another relevant field.
🕒 At least 3 years of professional experience in the political field, knowledge of the issues related to the Enlarged Partial Agreement's mandate, and a good knowledge of the Council of Europe's cooperation programmes, procedures and working methods.
🗣️ Very good knowledge of one of the Council of Europe's two official languages, English or French, and good knowledge of the other.
🛂 Citizenship of one of the Council of Europe's member States, or, for a partial agreement, of the member State of the relevant partial agreement.
The Competencies Behind the Role
🧭 Managerial: vision and strategic insight, organisational and contextual awareness, leadership.
🤝 Interpersonal: relationship building, influencing.
🌍 Professional and technical: demonstrated expertise in international relations and multilateral cooperation, particularly concerning Europe, the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Middle East and Africa; experience translating strategic objectives into programmes and projects, applying recognised project management principles to deliver measurable results, manage risks and use resources effectively; proven experience managing financial and human resources, including results-based planning, budgeting, monitoring and performance reporting within an international or public-sector environment, in line with Council of Europe values.
✨ Desirable: planning and work organisation, resilience, initiative, experience developing and managing strategic partnerships with governments, international organisations, civil society and donors including mobilisation of voluntary contributions, and experience advising senior decision-makers and governing bodies on strategic, policy and operational matters in an international organisation.
The Secondment Terms
📜 This vacancy is for a secondment, governed by Article 23 of Committee of Ministers' Resolution CM/Res(2012)2. The conditions of secondment, including days of leave and allowances, are set out on the Council of Europe's own "What we offer" page.
⚠️ This secondment does not provide for any allowances or travel expenses from the Organisation. That is stated plainly in the vacancy and is worth weighing carefully against the seniority of the role.
⚡ The secondment should start as soon as possible.
Timetable and How to Apply
📅 Posted on 24 August 2026, closing 5 October 2026 at 23:59:59 CET/CEST.
📖 For more on how the Council of Europe recruits, the vacancy points candidates to its "Our recruitment process" page. Only applicants meeting the conditions of Committee of Ministers' Resolution CM/Res(2012)2 and who best meet the criteria above will be considered for selection and the next stage.
🤲 Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, by contacting talents@coe.int.
⚖️ As an equal opportunity employer, the Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion or belief, and aims for gender parity in staff across each category and grade, giving preference between suitably qualified candidates to the gender under-represented at the relevant grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply without my government's backing?
No. Having the support of the member State seconding you to the Council of Europe is the first requirement listed.
Does the secondment cover allowances or travel?
No. The vacancy states explicitly that this secondment does not foresee any allowances or travel expenses from the Organisation.
What level of experience is required?
At least 3 years of professional experience in the political field, alongside knowledge of the Enlarged Partial Agreement's mandate and the Council of Europe's cooperation programmes and procedures.
Do I need to speak both English and French fluently?
Very good knowledge of one and good knowledge of the other, not fluency in both at the highest level.
Who is eligible by nationality?
Citizens of a Council of Europe member State, or, in the case of a partial agreement, nationals of the member State of that partial agreement.
Where exactly is the role based?
Lisbon, Portugal, home to the North-South Centre.
What time zone does the deadline fall in?
CET or CEST. The deadline is 5 October 2026 at 23:59:59 in that time zone.
Deadline
⏳ 5 October 2026, 23:59:59 CET/CEST
Applications close on 5 October 2026 at 23:59:59 CET/CEST. Find more Jobs on Youth Works Hub.
