The Transport Community Permanent Secretariat

The Transport Community is an International Organisation established by the Treaty establishing the Transport Community (“the Treaty”) that was signed on 9 October 2017 and comprises the following Parties: the European Union, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Kosovo* , Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia (“the Contracting Parties”). The Treaty entered into force on 1 May 2019. The Transport Community is based on the progressive integration of transport markets of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia (“the South East European Parties”) into the European Union transport market on the basis of the relevant acquis, including in the areas of technical standards, interoperability, safety, security, traffic management, social policy, public procurement and environment, for all modes of transport excluding air transport. The aim of the Treaty therefore is the creation of a Transport Community in the field of road, rail, inland waterway and maritime transport as well as the development of the transport network between the European Union and the South East European Parties. The Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community (“the Secretariat”) is one of the institutions set up under the Treaty. Being the only institution with permanent staff, it provides administrative support to the other institutions of the Transport Community (the Ministerial Council, the Regional Steering Committee, the technical committees and the Social Forum), acts as a Transport Observatory to monitor the performance of the indicative TEN-T extension of the comprehensive and core networks to the Western Balkans and supports the implementation of the Western Balkans Six (WB6) Connectivity Agenda aiming to improve links within the Western Balkans as well as between the region and the European Union. It also reviews the implementation of the obligations under the Treaty. The Secretariat has a current staff of 22 experts and manages the Transport Community budget, which amounts to EUR 3.121.200 for 2025. On 15 November 2022, the Contracting Parties of the Transport Community Treaty and the Ministers in charge of transport from Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova (“the Observing Participants”) endorsed a joint statement on cooperation for the development of the transport sectors. This political document formed the basis of involvement of the latter three countries as observing participants in the work of the Transport Community. To further support the countries’ participation in the Transport Community, including through the provision of dedicated technical assistance, the EU put in place a grant for 2024-2026 financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)-Global Europe financing instrument. This grant is implemented by the Permanent Secretariat through a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (“PIU”). The PIU has a current staff of 6 experts. The working language of the Transport Community is English. The Secretariat is based in Belgrade

The position of Director of the Permanent Secretariat

As provided by article 30 of the Treaty and by the Transport Community Rules of Recruitment, Working Conditions and Geographical Equilibrium of the staff of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community , the Director of the Permanent Secretariat is appointed by the Regional Steering Committee following consultation of the Ministerial Council, on a proposal of the European Commission. The director’s mandate shall not exceed three years and is renewable for maximum of two times. The Director heads and manages the Permanent Secretariat and is the legal representative and public face of the Transport Community. The Director is accountable to the Regional Steering Committee of the Transport Community. The Director will be responsible for the overall direction and management of the Secretariat. He/she should ensure, within the operational and budgetary framework approved by the Regional Steering Committee, professional, high-quality service by the Secretariat to attain the objectives of the Treaty. He/she will be responsible to ensure a smooth coordination between the Transport Community institutions, bodies and stakeholders, for the benefit of the achievement of the Transport Community goals. The Director will liaise with the South East European Parties, the Observing Participants, the European Commission, the EU Member States, the International Transport Organisations, the International Financial Institutions including the Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF) and other stakeholders in order to promote the development and good functioning of the transport infrastructure in the region in line with the EU Trans-European Transport Network policy. The Director will also notably provide support to the South East European Parties and the Observing Participants to implement the EU legislation on transport and related areas as included in the Treaty. As provided in Article 31 of the Treaty, in the performance of their duties, the Director and the staff of the Secretariat shall act impartially and shall not seek nor receive instructions from any Contracting Party. They shall promote the interests of the Transport Community.

Main Tasks of the Director

The Director’s responsibilities include:

1. The overall performance and management of the Secretariat, its resources and personnel.
2. The provision, in person as well as with the assistance of other Secretariat staff, of full administrative support to the Ministerial Council, the Regional Steering Committee, the technical committees and the Social Forum. This will include the preparation of meetings in cooperation with the Presidency (drafting documents and minutes, informing participants, assisting the meetings etc.).
3. The drafting and implementation of the budget, as well as annual reporting to the Regional Steering Committee on the implementation of the budget.
4. Liaise with international financial institutions including WBIF and various transport related international organisations; develop and enhance cooperation with organisations involved in the transport sector in the region on both bilateral and multilateral levels, attend international or regional conferences, make presentations and promote the objectives of the Treaty in general.
5. Ensure that recruitment by the Secretariat will be carried out in line with the relevant rules and that the Secretariat will have highly qualified personnel to carry out its responsibilities.
6. Set up cooperation mechanisms with transport and other relevant authorities of the South East European Parties and of the EU and Member States.
7. Coordinate the preparation, though not necessarily authorship, of reports and other documents related to the objectives of the Treaty and required by the Regional Steering Committee.
8. Facilitate coordination and information exchange between the Contracting Parties.
9. Endorse and supervise the communication plan of the Secretariat. In addition, the Director shall carry out any other tasks as requested by and under the instructions of the Regional Steering Committee.

Eligibility criteria

To be considered for the selection phase, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria by the closing date for applications:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of a Member State of the European Union or of one of the South East European Parties
• University Degree or Diploma: A University degree in economics, political sciences, law, transport or engineering as follows: A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years (this one year’s professional experience cannot be included in the post-graduate professional experience required below).
• Professional Experience: Have at least 12 years post-graduate experience acquired after the required qualifications referred to above were obtained.
• Relevant Professional Experience: Of the 12 years of professional experience, have acquired at least 4 years in the transport sector, in transport policy or transport regulation.
• Management Experience: Have at least 4 years of professional experience gained in a senior management function.
• Languages: Have a thorough knowledge of English.
• Age Limit: At the deadline for applications, be able to complete the full three-yearmandate before the end of the month in which he or she reaches the age of 66.
• Travel requirements: Medium to Intense; mostly within the South East European region and to EU institutions.

Selection criteria

Applicants will be assessed on the basis of the following selection criteria:

Managerial skills

• Proven capacity to manage a public body, both at strategic and at operational level.
• Sound experience in leading and motivating a team in a multicultural environment.
• Sound experience in managing budgetary and financial resources.

Technical knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of regulatory policy and practice relevant to the transport sector.
• Knowledge and / or experience in the transport sector of a Contracting Party would be an asset.
• Capacity to develop a strategic vision for the Transport Community Secretariat.
• Knowledge of the EU policies and processes, in particular of the EU transport policy, would be an asset.
• Experience in working with and/or in the South East European region would be an asset.

Communication

• Excellent ability to communicate orally and in writing to the public and to cooperate with stakeholders (European, international, national and local authorities, international organisations, etc.).
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural organisation and with the Contracting Parties, Treaty bodies and stakeholders that have interests in implementing the Treaty.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Thorough knowledge of English orally and in writing. Knowledge of an official language of the Contracting Parties is considered an asset.

International experience and knowledge of the EU

• Thorough understanding of the EU Institutions and how they operate and interact, and of EU policies and international activities of relevance to the activities of the Transport Community
• Professional experience acquired in European and/or international organisations is an asset.

Independence and declaration of interests

The Director will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make a declaration in respect of any interests which might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence. Applicants must confirm their willingness to do so in their application.

Selection and appointment

A selection panel will be set up for the selection process. This panel will invite applicants with the best profile for the specific requirements of the post to an interview, selected on the basis of their merits relevant to the post according to the criteria set out above. Candidates shortlisted by the selection panel will then be called for an interview with the European Commissioner responsible for Transport. The candidates not invited to an interview will be informed by e-mail and will have the possibility to introduce a request for review against this decision within ten working days following the receipt of the e-mail. Any argument must be based on the initial application. No additional information will be taken into consideration. The selection panel has to reply to the candidates within ten working days (date of the receipt of the complaint). Following those interviews, the European Commission will propose one candidate to the Regional Steering Committee. The Regional Steering Committee may ask for a hearing of the nominee before the decision for appointment is taken. The Regional Steering Committee will decide on the appointment of the Director, following consultation of the Ministerial Council.

Equal opportunities

The Commission and the Transport Community applies a policy of equal opportunities and nondiscrimination in accordance with the Rules for Recruitment, working conditions and geographical equilibrium of the Permanent Secretariat’s Staff.

Click here to read the full vacancy and how to apply: https://www.transport-community.org/job-opportunities/