Policy Advisor – Drugs and addictions

Council Of Europe; Strasbourg; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, invites applications for a Policy Advisor position in the Pompidou Group. The role focuses on advancing evidence-based drug and addiction policies across member and partner states, emphasizing treatment and recovery strategies, policy guidance, and international collaboration.

The role requires at least 3 years of relevant experience, strong English skills, and basic knowledge of French or willingness to learn.

Qualifications

• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and organising collaborative initiatives.
• Knowledge of European and international frameworks, best practices, and current debates in drug and addiction treatment and recovery.
• Knowledge of another language would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Advance the Pompidou Group’s mission to support evidence-based drug and addiction policies.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team on treatment and recovery strategies.
• Contribute to collection, assessment and dissemination of best practices and policy guidance.
• Conduct research and analysis on treatment and recovery approaches and their applicability.
• Develop policy recommendations, guidance documents, and reports for member States and stakeholders.
• Organise and facilitate stakeholder meetings, workshops, and expert groups.
• Monitor trends and innovations in drug and addiction policies; liaise with government agencies and international organisations.
• Contribute to drafting project proposals and funding applications.
• Represent the Pompidou Group at conferences and meetings.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Stakeholder engagement

Teamwork

Initiative

Creativity

Adaptability

Job description

Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Description & Requirements

Your Team

You will work in the Secretariat of the International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group). The Pompidou Group provides knowledge, support and solutions for effective, evidence-based drug and addiction policies, which fully respect human rights. Its approach is based on four pillars, namely prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery, and supply reduction that targets public authorities, healthcare and education establishments, penitentiary and probation institutions, social and community centres, professional environments and society as a whole.

Your Role

As Policy Advisor, you will :

• Advance the Pompidou Group’s mission to support innovative, evidence-based drug and addiction policies across its member States and other partner states, in line with the priorities set out in the the Pompidou Group Work Programme 2026-2029 ;
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to contribute to the Group’s activities on treatment and recovery strategies and approaches, including associated risks and harms;
• Contribute to the collection, assessment and dissemination of best practices, the development of policy guidance and to strengthening the collaboration among stakeholders at national and international levels;
• Conduct research and analysis on treatment and recovery approaches to addictions, as well as associated risks and harms, assessing their effectiveness and applicability within European and international contexts;
• Develop policy recommendations, guidance documents, and reports for member States and stakeholders;
• Organise and facilitate stakeholder meetings, workshops, and expert groups related to treatment and recovery;
• Monitor trends and innovations in drug and addiction treatment and recovery policies internationally, as well as legislative trends on substance regulation (drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vaping and other products that mimic or are associated with illicit drug use);
• Liaise with government agencies, civil society, service providers, research institutions, and other international organisations to share knowledge and promote effective policy implementation;
• Contribute to the drafting of project proposals and funding applications within the treatment and recovery field;
• Represent the Pompidou Group at conferences, workshops, and meetings as required.

Requirements to apply

You must:

• have the support of the member State seconding you to the Council of Europe;
• have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in drug policy, addiction treatment and/or recovery services, or related areas;
• have very good knowledge of English and a basic knowledge of French or the capacity to learn it on the job;
• be a citizen of one of the member States of the Council of Europe or be national of the member State of the partial agreement of the Pompidou Group.
• Operational - Analysis and problem solving
• Interpersonal - Teamwork and co-operation
• Interpersonal - Initiative
• Professional and technical expertise:
  • Knowledge of European and international frameworks, best practices, and current debates in drug and addiction treatment and recovery;
  • Strong research, analytical, and writing skills;
  • Experience in stakeholder engagement and organising collaborative initiatives.
• Operational - Creativity and innovation
• Interpersonal - Adaptability
• Professional and technical expertise:
  • Knowledge of the other language would be an asset.

What we offer

This vacancy is for a secondment, ruled by Article 23 of Committee of Ministers' Resolution CM/Res(2012)2 . You can consult the conditions of secondment to the Council of Europe (days of leave, allowances etc.) on the webpage What we offer . This secondment does not foresee any allowances or travel expenses from the Organisation.

This secondment should start as soon as possible.

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an equal opportunity employer, the Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion or belief. Under its equal opportunity policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve gender parity in staff employed in each category and grade. At the time of appointment, preference between suitable people shall be given to the person of the gender which is under-represented in the relevant grades within the category to which the vacancy belongs.

Accommodations

Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process.

Job Conditions and Further Information

The information published on the CoE's careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication of the vacancy notice. Any changes to these conditions during the recruitment process will be updated on our Portal and will apply at the time of the job offer. Our career's website is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.