Vacancy Announcement: Employment Coordinator, Project Shaping Academic and Employment Skills for Young Roma – SHAPYR

DEADLINE EXTENDED: 29 January 2020

Background information

The Roma Education Fund’s (REF) mission and the 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 implements the project funded by the VELUX Foundations “Shaping Academic and Employment Skills for Young Roma – SHAPYR”. 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.

Primary Responsibilities

Main tasks:

• Develop, plan, and organize activities related to employment component of the project;
• Closely cooperate with Country Coordinator engaged in the education component;
• Build and establish strategic relationships with education institutions, employment institutions, authorities and/or other related institutions, philanthropic partners, NGOs and other field professionals and participate in program-and field-related meetings;
• Organize meetings with potential employers, promote the beneficiaries for employment
• Keep close relations with beneficiaries, follow up their employment and skills related needs, and provide support to their transition to labour market;
• Maintain project employment database and individual portfolios of each beneficiary;
• Stay abreast of developments in the field of employment and education;
• Perform site visits to the project stakeholders;
• Perform other work-related duties, as assigned, including cooperation with other REF programs;
• Regular reporting to the Project Manager and contribution to project reports.

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;
• Work experience with business orientation, HR, and employability;
• 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;

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;
• Excellent organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills;
• 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 employment regulations and education system in Hungary, and the level of inclusion of Roma in the labour market;
• Good knowledge of key organizations and employment networks active in the field;
• Good reporting skills, understanding of monitoring and evaluation, and familiarity with budget tracking;
• Good level of computer usage proficiency
• Good command of the English and Hungarian (written and spoken) is a must; knowledge of Romani language is considered an added value;
• Good listening and communication skills, with sensitivity to cultural communication differences;
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with colleagues and general public;
• Driver license is considered an added value.