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European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
News article8 July 2020Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations

Executive director of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Inter-cultural Dialogue ( Alexandria, Egypt )

We areThe European Commission is in charge of the pre-selection of the Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Inter-cultural Dialogue (ALF). The Anna Lindh Foundation is an inter-governmental institution bringing together civil society...

ALF

We are

The European Commission is in charge of the pre-selection of the Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Inter-cultural Dialogue (ALF).

The Anna Lindh Foundation is an inter-governmental institution bringing together civil society and citizens across the Mediterranean to build trust and improve mutual understanding, based in Alexandria (Egypt) and registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Foundation was created by the governments of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership - the far-reaching political agreement established in 1995 between the European Union and its Southern Mediterranean partners with the purpose to bring people together from across the Mediterranean to improve mutual respect between cultures and to support civil society working for a common future for the region.

Since 2005, the Anna Lindh Foundation has launched and supported action across different sectors impacting on mutual perceptions as well as developing a region-wide Network of over 4000 civil society organisations. Through its action and reflection the ALF aims to contribute to the development of an Intercultural Strategy for the Euro-Mediterranean Region, providing recommendations to decision-makers and institutions and advocating for shared values. The main scope of the ALF is overcoming the misunderstandings and stereotypes which affect relations between and within the societies of the Region, a task which has become increasingly important in the last decade. As a contribution to the creation of a space of prosperity, coexistence and peace, the ALF works to restore trust in dialogue and bridge the gaps in mutual perceptions, as well as promoting diversity and coexistence.

The Foundation is co-funded by the European Commission and the 42 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean and its contracting procedures are in line with the EU procedures stipulated in the Practical Guide to Contract procedures for EU external actions.

We propose

The challenging and high-profile position of Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation comprises the following main responsibilities:

· Prepare the multi-annual work programme of the Foundation and its budget in consultation with the President and the national networks;

· Appoint and head the staff of the Foundation;

· Ensure the stability of the structure of the Foundation and its compliance with the Foundation’s objectives;

· Maintain linkages with the network of national networks and guarantee good contacts between the networks themselves;

· Prepare the annual work programme for adoption by the Board of Governors and to ensure its implementation in consultation with the ALF President.

· Execute the budget;

· Submit periodic and annual activity reports as well as financial accounts to the Board of Governors for adoption;

· Maintain transparent procedures and correct circulation of information concerning all activities done or supported by the Foundation;

· Prepare the meetings of the Board of Governors.

According to the Statute of the ALF, the Executive Director shall be the legal representative of the Foundation.

We look for

Based on the above, the following are the proposed criteria for evaluation of eligible applications for the purpose of preparing a short-list for interviews for the post of ALF Executive Director:

· Based on the rotation rule as defined by the statues of the ALF (Article X), the Executive Director for the next three year has to be from a EU country, therefore the candidate should be a national of one of the 27 EU Member States.

· Hold a University degree.

· Have at least 15 years of relevant professional experience, and at least 5 years of professional experience related to intercultural dialogue or civil society in the Euro-Med region.

· Have practical experience in programmes in intercultural areas or engaging with civil society organisations.

· Have experience with international cooperation and dialogue and institutions and from the southern Mediterranean.

· Have an extensive knowledge of international standards in general management of international organisations.

· Have an extensive knowledge of international standards in financial management.

· Have an extensive knowledge of experience in human resources management, including in an international environment

· Have knowledge in the management of donor funded programme(s).

· Previous experience with project management, in particular with EU funds, in countries of the southern Mediterranean region will be a strong asset.

· Knowledge of EU policies in the region and more specifically on youth, gender and civil society

· The candidate must be computer literate.

· Excellent communication skills are essential.

· The candidate shall be fluent in English and French, knowledge of one of the Mediterranean Partner Country languages would be an asset.

Selection and appointment

In accordance with the ALF statute, the Executive Director shall be appointed by the Board of Governors for a term of office of maximum three years. The Board of Governors will vote for one candidate out of the short list presented by the European Commission. As part of this selection procedure, candidates may be called for an interview with the selection committee members, indicatively in October 2020.

The successful candidate will be recruited by the Anna Lindh Foundation with a starting annual salary equivalent an AD 12 salary level in the European Commission, complemented by a 25% country allowance. He/ she must successfully complete a nine-month probation period.

The selected candidate will have to abide by the national fiscal regulation applicable to him/her.

Equal opportunities

The European Commission applies a policy of equal opportunities and non-discrimination.

Application procedure

Before submitting your application, you should carefully check whether you meet all the eligibility criteria, particularly those concerning the level of education, the type of diploma obtained and professional experience required.

If you wish to apply, you must send a Curriculum Vitae (CV) in Word or PDF format and a letter of motivation (maximum 8 000 characters) to the following email address: NEAR-ALFatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (NEAR-ALF[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).

Once the deadline for registration has passed, you will no longer be able to apply. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Both the CV and letter must be written in English or French.

On completion of your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt. If you do not receive the acknowledgement of receipt, your application has not been registered.

Please note that it is not possible to monitor the progress of your application online. You will be contacted directly regarding the status of your application.

If you have a disability that prevents you from registering online, you may submit your application (CV and letter of motivation) on paper by registered mail, postmarked no later than the closing date for registration to the following address:

Directorate-General Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)

Unit NEAR/B2 (Neighbourhood South Regional Programmes)

Avenue de Bourget 1

B-1049 Brussels, Belgium

All subsequent communication will be by post. In this case, you must enclose with your CV and motivation letter, a certificate attesting your disability, issued by a recognised body. You should also set out on a separate sheet of paper any special arrangements you think are needed to make it easier for you to take part in the selection procedure.

If you require more information and/or encounter technical problems, please send an e-mail to:

NEAR-ALFatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (NEAR-ALF[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)

Closing date

The closing date for application is 25 September 2020 at 6 pm Brussels time.