SECTION 5. IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS FOR THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME

(103)5.2. Procedure for setting up the Joint Secretariat

The JS shall have an adequate size and profile regarding the envisaged tasks and responsibilities. The Director has a key role in motivating and coordinating JS work towards programme implementation and results delivery and coordination with MS representatives, particularly National Correspondents and management controllers. The Director shares with the MA representative the key role of establishing the strategic relation with MS, for this purpose he/she will hold adequate Member State policy knowledge and will establish regular contacts at the relevant level with Programme stakeholders. The JS shall have relevant technical expertise and knowledge on programme/project management and monitoring and adequate acquired specialist knowledge on the relevant thematic areas. The MA shall ensure that the necessary training to enhance knowledge and build on existing capacities is provided to JS staff. The JS composition and staff recruitment procedure shall be approved by the MS participating in the Programme following a proposal of the MA.

The possibility to reappoint some members of the JS staff of the 2007-2013 Programme is envisaged by MS, following evaluation of the existing profiles and programme’s needs in the future. For the remaining posts, an open public competitive recruitment procedure shall be organised.