From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for nomination to the List of Experts Eligible to Serve on the Advisory Committee under the Framework Convention on National Minorities ( FCNM).
Nomination process
Candidates will be assessed against a set of criteria by a selection board appointed by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Ireland will submit to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe the names and CVs of two experts who have the required qualifications and capacity to serve on the Advisory Committee. Following this submission, the Committee of Ministers will elect one of these experts to join the List of Experts Eligible to Serve on the Advisory Committee.
In accordance with a rotation agreement in place for membership of the Advisory Committee, Ireland is not entitled to be represented by an ordinary member for some time. However, Paragraph 19 of the Committee of Ministers Resolution (97)10 , which lays down the detailed rules governing the appointment of Advisory Committee members, provides that when a State Report is being considered and there is no ordinary member from that State Party, the expert who is on the List of Experts in respect of that State Party shall be invited to sit as an ‘additional member’. Ireland’s Fifth State Report is currently being prepared and, once submitted to the Advisory Committee, it is important that Ireland be represented by an ‘additional member’ for the purposes of the Advisory Committee’s consideration of the Report.
Under Paragraph 33 and 34 of the Committee of Ministers Resolution (97)10, additional members shall only participate in the work of the Advisory Committee in respect of the report of the State Party in respect of which they have been elected to the List and shall not have the right to take part in a possible vote.
Role of the Advisory Committee under the FCNM
The Advisory Committee is the independent expert committee responsible for evaluating the implementation of the Framework Convention in State Parties and advising the Committee of Ministers. The results of this evaluation consist in detailed country-specific opinions adopted following a monitoring procedure. This procedure involves the examination of State Reports and other sources of information as well as meetings on the spot with governmental interlocutors, national minority representatives and other relevant actors.
The Advisory Committee is composed of 18 independent experts. In accordance with Resolution (97)10 of the Committee of Ministers, members of the Advisory Committee shall have recognised expertise in the field of the protection of national minorities. They shall serve in their individual capacity, shall be independent and impartial and shall be available to serve on the Committee effectively. Members must also have a good command of either English or French.
How to apply
Expressions of interest should be sent by email to TravellersandRoma@equality.gov.ie with “FCNM nomination” included in the subject line, no later than 5pm on Friday 16th June 2023 , and should include a Curriculum Vitae and cover letter outlining the candidate’s suitable qualifications and experience for this position – please see CV template in Appendix for reference.
Model Curriculum Vitae for candidates to be elected by the Committee of Ministers as members/experts of the FCNM Advisory Committee.
Please note that CVs should not exceed 4 pages.
I. Personal information
II. Relevant qualifications summary
Please provide a summary (100 words maximum) of your qualifications relevant for membership of the FCNM Advisory Committee, with a particular emphasis on your field(s) of expertise and experience at international, national and local levels, as required by Article 26 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM).
III. Professional activities
(a) Current professional activity
• Start date
• Name of employer
• Type of business or sector
• Occupation or position held
• Main activities and responsibilities
(b) Work at national/local level
Add separate entries for the most relevant activities, starting from the most recent.
• Dates (from – to)
• Names of employers
• Types of business or sectors
• Occupations or positions held
• Main activities and responsibilities
(c) Work at international level
Add separate entries for the most relevant activities, starting from the most recent.
• Dates (from – to)
• Names of employers
• Types of business or sectors
• Occupations or positions held
• Main activities and responsibilities
IV. Education and academic and other qualifications
Please add separate entries for the most relevant courses you have completed/academic and other qualifications you have obtained, starting from the most recent.
• Dates (from – to)
• Principal subjects/occupational skills covered
• Name and type of organisation
• Title of qualification obtained
V. Publications and other works
Please list recent relevant publications, starting from the most recent, but not more than 10.
VI. Computer skills
Please indicate the software packages you are familiar with.
VII. Availability to serve effectively
Please certify that you will be available for the activities of the FCNM Advisory Committee for at least 20-25 days per year. The includes in particular the presence in Strasbourg during 3 plenary meetings à 5 days and at least 1 country visit à 4-6 days with a separate 1-day working group meeting. In addition, preparatory desk work from home is required for each of these meetings.
VIII. Information about any potential conflict of interest
Please indicate how, if (re-)elected, your current position or function may give rise to a real or perceived conflict of interest as required by Rule 2 of Resolution CM/Res(2019)49 on the revised monitoring arrangements under Articles 24 to 26 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and certify that you are prepared to relinquish that position or function if (re-)elected.
IX. Language skills
Please provide a self-assessment of your level in languages other than your mother tongue using the following Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
| Mother tongue | ||||||
| Understanding | Speaking | Writing | ||||
| Language | Listening | Reading | Spoken interaction | Spoken production | Writing skills | |
| Official languages | ||||||
| English | ||||||
| French | ||||||
| Other languages |
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Listening skills:
A1 I can recognise familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
A2 I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
B1 I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.
B2 I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes. I can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
C1 I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly. I can understand television programmes and films without too much effort.
C2 I have no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided I have some time to get familiar with the accent.
Reading skills:
A1 I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
A2 I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.
B1 I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency every day or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.
B2 I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. I can understand contemporary literary prose.
C1 I can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. I can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to my field.
C2 I can read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as manuals, specialised articles and literary works.
Spoken interaction skills:
A1 I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I'm trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
A2 I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can't usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself.
B1 I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).
B2 I can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. I can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views.
C1 I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skilfully to those of other speakers.
C2 I can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion and have a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. I can express myself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. If I do have a problem, I can backtrack and restructure around the difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it.
Spoken production skills:
A1 I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.
A2 I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.
B1 I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.
B2 I can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my field of interest. I can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C1 I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
C2 I can present a clear, smoothly-flowing description or argument in a style appropriate to the context and with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points.
Writing skills:
A1 I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.
A2 I can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate needs. I can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.
B1 I can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.
B2 I can write clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects related to my interests. I can write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. I can write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.
C1 I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can select a style appropriate to the reader in mind.
C2 I can write clear, smoothly-flowing text in an appropriate style. I can write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points. I can write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.