Positions Available: Two Country Coordinators for VELUX Foundations Project Shaping Academic and Employment Skills for Young Roma in Hungary and Slovakia

The Roma Education Fund’s (REF) mission and ultimate goal is to close the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma. In order to achieve this goal, the organization supports policies and programs which ensure quality education for Roma through scholarships, grant making and advocacy activities. The objectives of REF include:

The Roma Education Fund’s (REF) mission and ultimate goal is to close the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma. In order to achieve this goal, the organization supports policies and programs which ensure quality education for Roma through scholarships, grant making and advocacy activities. The objectives of REF include:

  • Expanding Romani children’s access to quality early childhood education and care
  • Improving primary education outcomes for Romani children aged six to fourteen
  • Boosting academic performance and graduation rates from secondary education for Romani pupils
  • Supporting access to tertiary education, improving graduation levels and strengthening identity of Romani university students
  • Expanding employment opportunities for young Romani adults

The Roma Education Fund operates its activities in close links with civil society and institutional partners in 16 countries of Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe. 

Starting in 2018, REF will implement the project funded by the VELUX Foundations “Shaping Academic and Employment Skills for Young Roma.” The project aims to increase the number of Roma graduating from at least vocational secondary education and successfully transitioning into the labor market, fully self-confident and equipped with soft-technical skills. The project will be implemented in Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

The objectives will be achieved through facilitating access to Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools for Roma youth and young adults in the three targeted countries. It is expected that the project beneficiaries will successfully enroll in targeted vocational schools, improve confidence and skills, graduate and be competitive at the labor market. The activities will be focused on provision of support to education of students pursuing studies in VET schools and support to education of Roma adults, parents of children enrolled under REF ECEC activities. The activities will comprise academic, professional and career development of Roma students, development of relationship with employers, establishment of Roma Job Centers, needs assessment and follow up of students and young adults after education completion.

Position specifics

The Country Coordinators will work in close cooperation and under the supervision of the Project Manager in REF Headquarters Office in Budapest.

Primary Responsibilities

Main tasks:

  • Develop, plan, and organize project-related activities;
  • Regular reporting to the Project Manager;
  • Keep up to date project database;
  • Stay abreast of developments in the field of education and employment, through research;
  • Provide facilitation, review and assessment of national project implementation;
  • Perform site visits to relevant to the project stakeholders;
  • Ensure that beneficiaries submit regularly reports as required under the terms of the contract;
  • Interact with beneficiaries and other field professionals and participate in program-and field-related meetings and convenings;
  • Perform special assignments, including cooperation with other REF programs;
  • Build and establish strategic relationships with education institutions, employment institutions, authorities and/or other related institutions, philanthropic partners and NGOs;
  • Perform other work-related duties, as assigned;

Other:

  • Travel requirements: frequent travels nationally and, occasionally, internationally;

Education/Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree/BA or equivalent degree; advanced degree preferred;
  • Two to three years of relevant experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
  • NGO experience is essential;
  • Experience and competencies in working in a multicultural environment; 
  • Experience in project monitoring and evaluation tools (M&E) is a plus;
  • Work experience with business orientation, HR, employability is a plus.

Skills Required

  • Working efficiently in a fast-paced environment, troubleshooting and following activities through their successful completion, with strict deadlines and with attention to details, budgetary requirements, monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
  • Effectively work as a team member, as well as independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals;
  • Good knowledge and understanding of the education system in the respective country (Hungary and Slovakia) and in the region, and the level of inclusion of Roma in the education system in the respective country;
  • Good knowledge of key organizations and education networks active in the field;
  • Good command of the English language (written and spoken), and of the respective country language (Hungary and Slovakia); 
  • Knowledge of Romani language is considered an added value;
  • Excellent organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Good listening and communication skills, with sensitivity to cultural communication differences;
  • Good communication skills with high sensitivity to cultural differences;
  • Good level of computer usage proficiency
  • Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with colleagues and general public;
  • Driver license is considered an added value.  

Start date: As soon as possible

End date: December 2022

Compensation: will be discussed with the prospective candidates

Location: Hungary and Slovakia

Details for submission: Please send a letter of interest and your professional CV with at least two references to Ms. Milena Babic, mbabic@romaeducationfund.org, indicating “SHAPYR – Country Coordinator Position” in the subject line.

Deadline for submission: April 15, 2018