The main function of the International Barents Secretariat (IBS) is to support the multilateral activities within the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) and the Barents Regional Council (BRC).

The IBS aims to increase and secure the coherence and efficiency of the Barents cooperation. To this end, the IBS assists the biannually rotating governmental and regional Chairs in their tasks. Also, the IBS supports the Barents Working Groups. The IBS maintains the archives of the official cooperation and serves as an information database, as well as maintains contacts with other organisations and stakeholders operating in the Barents and Arctic regions, the national and regional authorities of the Member States and the media.

The position of an Executive Officer at the IBS offers challenging and interesting tasks in multilateral international cooperation in the quickly developing Arctic region. The main responsibilities of the Executive Officer are:

  • Coordinate the cooperation between the intergovernmental and the interregional bodies involved: provide administrative and organizational support to the BEAC and the BRC Chairmanships, to the Committee of Senior Officials and the Regional Committee.
  • Support the Barents Working Groups: facilitate the strategic steering of the Working Groups, enhance their capacity, develop their communications as well as provide technical assistance.
  • Update, execute and evaluate the communication plan of the IBS.
  • Keep updated information and inform the Barents Working Groups on the existing financing possibilities for cooperation projects. Facilitate contacts between the managing authorities of the various financial instruments and the Barents actors.
  • Develop the operating functionality of the IBS in close cooperation with the Head of the Secretariat. Replace the Head of the Secretariat when needed. 

The IBS highlights the candidate’s ability to take independent responsibility, take initiative and work proactively and flexibly also as part of the team. The candidate should have experience in intergovernmental cooperation and political processes and an interest in the regional cooperation in the European North. Proficient communication and language skills are essential: the candidate should have excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of either Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian or Sami. Knowledge of Russian is an asset. All staff members of the IBS should have a driver’s license.

The position is open for citizens of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Russia. 

Send in your letter of motivation together with your CV by 10 May 2017 to: ibs@barentscooperation.org

For further information about the position:

Tomas Hallberg, Head of Secretariat
tomas@barentscooperation.org, Mob: +47 46 89 77 23

For further information about the IBS:

http://www.barentscooperation.org/en

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