News
Public Call for application of candidates from Bosnia and Herzegovina to membership in Council of Europe Group of Experts on Access to Official Documents
07/22/2025
In accordance with Articles 11 and 12 of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents (Tromsø Convention) ( " Official Gazette of BiH - International Agreements", No. 8/11) and the official notification of the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Access to Official Documents and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry of Justice Bosnia and Herzegovina publishes
PUBLIC CALL
for application of candidates from Bosnia and Herzegovina for members of
the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Access to Official Documents
And
In accordance with Article 6, paragraph 1 of the Resolution on the procedures for the selection of members of the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Access to Official Documents ((CM/Res(2021)2), all interested persons are invited to submit applications for the nomination of candidates from Bosnia and Herzegovina for membership in the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Access to Official Documents (hereinafter: the Group).
The Group is one of the two supervisory bodies established by the Tromsø Convention on Access to Official Documents (CETS No. 205), and in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention, it is responsible for monitoring its application by the Member States.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has the right to nominate two experts who meet the requirements set out in the Resolution. The nominated persons will be candidates to fill the vacancy of one member of the Group for the remainder of the current mandate (until 31 March 2026) and to select between a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 members of the Group for the new four-year mandate starting on 1 April 2026.
The first term of the election is planned for October 1 and 2, 2025.
More information about the work and composition of
the Group is available at the following link:
https://www.coe.int/en/web/access-to-official-documents/group-of-specialists
II
The words and terms used in this Public Call, which have a gender meaning, refer equally to the male and female genders in accordance with the Law on Gender Equality of BiH ("Official Gazette of BiH", No. 32/10).
III
The applicant must meet the following requirements:
1. that one is a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
2. to have an appropriate level of professional qualifications (academic education), professional knowledge and experience to perform the specified duties,
3. not to hold a managerial position in the bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina or organizations dealing with defining or implementing policies in the field of access to information,
4. to have an active command of at least one of the two official languages of the Council of Europe (English or French). Passive knowledge of another official language of the Council of Europe is desirable,
5. that no criminal proceedings are being conducted against the candidate,
6. that Article IX, 1 of the Constitution of BiH does not apply to the candidate.
IV
The applicant should:
1. that one is a person of integrity with high moral qualities,
2. that one is distinguished for expertise in the field of access to official documents, freedom of expression and access to information covered by the areas of the Tromsø Convention,
3. to be independent and impartial in the performance of one duties,
4. to have sufficient available time and opportunities to participate in meetings and other activities of the Group.
V
The applicant must attach the following to the written application:
1. Curriculum vitae in English or French in accordance with the standardized form that is an integral part of Resolution CM/Res(2021)2, which can be found on the website of the Council of Europe - https://search.coe.int/cm?i=0900001680a1a20f ,
2. Translation of the CV into one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
3. Certificate of citizenship (not older than 6 months),
4. Certificate of higher professional education (certified copy of the diploma of the completed social studies faculty),
5. Proof of work experience in relevant jobs in the areas listed in Article IV, point 2 (certified copy of the employer's certificate or other proof of the establishment and duration of the employment relationship, which shows the jobs the candidate has worked on or published professional or scientific works or participation in the work of international organizations or in international meetings, seminars or conferences in the area covered by the Tromsø Convention - a list of works and/or certificates of participation should be submitted as an attachment to the written application),
6. Proof of command of a foreign language specified in Article III, point 4. (a certified copy of a certificate of knowledge of English or French at the minimum level C1, issued by a school of foreign languages or other institutions that are verified to issue such a certificate, or a certified copy of a diploma of completed high school or higher education with visible grades in English or French language subjects or that the entire education was conducted in English or French, or proof of work experience in an international organization in which uses English or French as the official language), and
7. A signed and certified statement that no criminal proceedings are being conducted against the candidate. A certificate from a competent court may be requested at a later date.
The
applicant should, in writing (letter of motivation), among other things, state
the reasons for submitting the application, explain why he/she believes he/she
is a suitable person to perform the position for which he/she is applying, and
list the experience gained in the areas within the Group's competence.
VI
The submitted applications will be considered by a commission body formed for this purpose based on the above-mentioned conditions and the submitted applications.
The Commission body, in accordance with its constitutional powers, will select the best candidates for membership of the Group and submit them to the Consultation Body composed of the Parties to the Tromsø Convention.
The selection and final decision on the appointment of the members of the Group shall be made by the Consultation Body.
One candidate from the submitted proposals of all member states shall be elected as a member of the Group until the end of the current term. Two candidates from the submitted proposals of all member states shall be elected for a period of 4 (four) years, with the possibility of renewal for another term, provided that in the re-election procedure the Consultation Body has the right to reduce the term of office.
VII
Members of the Group are required to act independently and impartially, and will not act on the basis of instructions from any authority, organization or individual in the performance of their duties.
The selected candidate must have sufficient time and ability to participate in meetings and other activities of the Group.
Members of the Group may also be civil servants or public sector employees who do not have a conflict of interest or are directly involved in the development of policies within the Group's jurisdiction.
VIII
Membership in the Group does not imply employment and does not exclude employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina or abroad, regardless of membership in the Group, except in cases of conflict of jurisdiction or incompatibility of functions.
IX
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not bear costs related to membership and function in the Group.
X
The public invitation is published on the website of the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, www.mpr.gov.ba.
The deadline for submitting applications is extended until August 1, 2025. Applications to the Public Call with complete documentation should be submitted directly or by registered mail to the following address: Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Trg BiH 3, 71000 Sarajevo, with the indication " Public Call - Group of Experts of the Council of Europe on Access to Official Documents ". Incomplete and untimely applications will not be considered.