Vacancy: Communication and Visibility Consultant
Type of Contract: Fixed term until 31st August 2023
Location Belgrade, Serbia
Posting Date: September 20th, 2022
Closing Date for Application: October 7th, 2022
Organizational Background:
The Roma Education Fund’s (REF) mission and goal is to close the gap in educational outcomes
between Roma and non-Roma. To achieve this goal, the organization supports policies and programs
that ensure quality education for Roma, including desegregation of education systems, through
scholarships, grant making, research and advocacy activities.
The objectives of Roma Education Fund 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 for Romani students in secondary
education;
• Supporting access to tertiary education, improving graduation level and strengthening
indent of Romani university students;
• Expanding employment opportunities for young Romani adults.
The Roma Education Fund (REF) in Serbia implements the project “Employment Empowerment of
Young Roma – phase II” funded by German Financial Cooperation implemented by KfW on behalf of
the German Government – Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The overall objective of the project “Employment Empowerment of Young Roma – phase II” I support
the social inclusion of Roma in Serbia by increasing the completion rate of secondary education Roma
students and facilitating their transition into the labor market by increasing their professional
competencies through a series of activities implemented within three project components: education,
employment, and reintegration of Roma returnees.
Activities covered by the project include, but are not limited to, the provision of scholarships and
mentoring support to Roma secondary education students, providing support to Roma individuals in
retraining, vocational training and attending in-demand skills and language courses, providing paid
internships for successful Roma graduates, and facilitating employment through cooperation
agreements with employers from the private, public, non-governmental and international sectors.
Moreover, the project aims to provide specific support young Roma returnees and their families
through a grant scheme implemented in cooperation with local partners throughout Serbia.
The Project is supported by the German Financial Cooperation Program implemented by the German
Development Bank KfW on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Germany – Ministry of
Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented in Serbia.
We are looking for an agile, responsible, motivated and dedicated person to join and support our team in
implementation of the project by ensuring visibility of the project, which includes:
• ensuring that all aspects of the project component are efficiently communicated on the social
networks and project website in line with the project objectives;
• promoting Roma Education Foundation cooperation with partners from public, civil and private
companies;
• developing success stories and draft promotional material which will be distributed in the
country and in the region;
• act as a communication focal point in the Roma Education Foundation and handle
communication channels with internal and external partners.
This position is open for the duration of the project until 31st August 2023. The selected candidate will sign
a full-time fixed-term contract of employment for the duration of the project.
Duties and responsibilities
The main duties and responsibilities of the Communication and Visibility Consultant is to enhance visibility
of the Project, ensure content quality, support the project team, and provide general communication
related support to REF, in coordination with REF predefined program objectives. The Communication and
Visibility Consultant also cooperates with the project partners.
The Consultant is responsible, but not limited to the following duties:
1. Project Communication for Advocacy and Awareness
The Communication and Visibility Consultant will work closely with the Project’s sections to ensure that
relevant project materials such as success stories, factsheets, blogs, reports etc. are developed and
disseminated to the donor and target groups through relevant media and network channels. The
Communication and Visibility Consultant will assist the project officers in the communication proposal
stage to identify appropriate communication activities for the project. The Communication and Visibility
Consultant will develop creative multimedia products (e.g., print, electronic, audio, visual content, etc.) to
reach target stakeholders and audiences.
2. Media Relations
Develop and maintain contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets
(print, TV, radio, web, etc.) in Serbia to increase coverage of Roma education and transition to employment
issues in the media (print, broadcast and digital). Specific activities may include:
3. Digital Communication/Social Media
Continuously update KfW Project website and Facebook page, such as daily monitoring, posting and
content development.
4. REF Branding and Communication
Ensure timely and quality production of advocacy and branding materials such as bulletins, annual and
donor reports, supplements, factsheets, briefing notes, stories, videos, pictures etc. The Communication
and Visibility Consultant will develop and archive communication materials (including digital) such as
publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.
5. Events and Campaigns
Assist in organizing and generating public support for events and campaigns which are essential for the
Roma children inclusion. Support organization of workshops, seminars, campaigns, events, and project
review meetings including meeting minutes (design, contractors, press and media monitoring).
6. Working relations
The Communication and Visibility Consultant will work closely with the Project Manager, REF Senior
Communication Officer and the Project Officers. He/she will maintain close interaction with the program
staff of the REF network, and with the entities regarding communications work within and outside the
government, including the local media and REF partners.
7. Press clipping and media monitoring
The Communication and Visibility Consultant will follow media channels and conduct media monitoring
for the assigned project.
Required qualifications:
• At least B.A. in social sciences, preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, or a
related field.
• At least three years of similar work experience is required.
• Acquaintance with digital tools, experience with local and global digital framework and trends.
• Previous experience in working with Roma and/or Roma CSOs is an advantage.
• Experience in an international organization is desirable.
• Ability to adapt and respond in a flexible manner when needed.
• Excellent oral and written communications in English and Serbian. Knowledge of Romani
languages will be considered an advantage.
• Excellent English-language writing, verbal, and editing abilities.
• Desirable knowledge of at least one foreign language custom to the countries where REF carries
out its activities in the Western Balkans (not required but considered an added value).
• Gender sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience.
How to Apply
This position is open only for candidates with the citizenship of or permanent residence in the Republic of
Serbia. Interested candidates who meet the requirements set out in the Call for Applications are invited
to apply for the position electronically by sending their CV an Cover Letter (both in English) to
spetrov@romaeducationfund.org no later than 07 October 2022 [CoB] with the subject line: Application:
Communication and Visibility Consultant – KfW Project.
All received applications will be subject to a through administrative check. Applications submitted after
the specified deadline, incomplete applications (missing CV and/or Cover Letter), as well as applications
submitted in languages other than English will not be considered.
Only candidates whose applications meet the above listed requirements and the criteria set out in the Call
will be considered for the next step in the selection process. The selection process will consist of a written
test and a competency-based interview. Candidates selected for the written test will be notified of the
date and time of the test in a timely manner.
Roma Education Fund is an equal opportunities employer.
