Roma Education Fund Scholarship Program searches for a Program Officer
Extended deadline: 1 November 2019
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.
The Roma Education Fund’s Scholarship Program (“the SP”) consists of four scholarship schemes available on a yearly basis: Roma Memorial University Scholarship Program (RMUSP), Law and Humanities Program (LHP), Roma International Scholar Program (RISP), and Roma Health Scholarship Program (RHSP).
Under the supervision of Executive Director, the Program Officer will be based in Belgrade, Serbia and will work as a part of Scholarship team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Program Officer entail:
- Lead the development, coordination and implementation of a regional scholarship scheme (RHSP in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia) and all its components, including donor reporting;
- In coordination with the Executive Director and Scholarship Program Officers contribute to the development and delivery of the Program annual work plans;
- Oversee the administration, coordination, implementation of the RMUSP and follow the Higher Education developments in the Western Balkan countries and Turkey;
- Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the progress, and propose measures for further improvements of the Romaversitas Network;
- Cooperate with REF staff and partners on higher education related projects and take part in overall fundraising efforts;
- Work with the Scholarship Program officers on preparing the implementation of yearly cycle and unfolding of its stages; related tasks include preparing manuals, outreaching materials, review and revision of eligibility criteria, of application guidelines, preparing tutorials on procedures and guidelines for Program’s eligibility check and evaluation process; liaise with Country Coordinators and /or National Selection Boards as needed;
- Supervise the registration, updating and tracking of applications and grants in the Program data base in close collaboration with the Country Coordinators (grant contracts, general reports, payment reports, intermediary reports, invitation letters, etc.);
- Liaise with the Finance Department on program budget development, tracking expenditures, preparation of budgets and grant contracts and report reviews for Program country coordinators of two scholarship schemes RMUSP and RHSP, prepare donor reporting, consultancy contracts for National Selection Board members;
- Generate scholarship program grants related payments for the scholarship schemes;
- Coordinate the preparation and unfolding of REF SP’s Annual Country Coordinators’ Meeting;
- Contribute actively to the development and further expansion of the REF Alumni and Beneficiary Network; provide regularly input to the established alumni e-groups through identifying and disseminating relevant and useful information and news;
- Coordinate SP schemes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro;
- Respond to day to day e-mails, letters inquiring about both the scholarship program in general and the actual status of the applications/contracts/grants in particular.
Necessary Qualifications:
- BA. and/or M.A. degree in administration, management, economics or other related fields;
- Minimum three years of relevant work experience in project and program coordination in the field of Higher Education, working with youth, Roma issues and/or non-profit organizations;
- Experience in project and /or program coordination on a regional/international level would be considered as an asset;
- Ability and willingness to work with people of different nationalities, cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, as well as ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
- Computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft applications;
- Knowledge of Romani language is considered an advantage;
- Knowledge of Western Balkan countries languages is considered as an asset.
Core competencies:
- Initiative: Actively seeks to improve programs or services; Seeks challenging experiences and approaches them with passion, enthusiasm and professionalism;
- Planning and Organization: Develops clear goals and achieves results that are consistent with agreed strategies; Adapts and reacts in a flexible manner when necessary;
- Communication: Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
- Teamwork: Works independently and collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals; Shares knowledge and insight with others;
- Ownership: Accepts personal responsibility (including shortcomings) and ownership of actions (including for work unit, where applicable) for achieving results; Understands organizational vision, mission and values, and leverages this knowledge when making decisions; Makes tough decisions when necessary;
- Development: Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally and to contribute to the growth of the organization; Seeks feedback to learn and improve the organization;
Organizational Values
In order to develop and deliver our education programs that provide quality, inclusive education for Roma children and youth, we believe in five core values that join us together and that mirror the work, actions and ideals of our organization and its culture:
- Tenacity; Integrity; Justice; Accountability; Inquisitiveness
How to apply
Qualified candidates are invited to send their Cover Letters, CV`s (both in English) and contact details of three Reference persons by 1 November 2019 via email to recruitment@romaeducationfund.org with the subject line: Program Officer.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Selection process is based on a written test and competency-based interview.
Individuals identifying themselves as Roma and fulfilling the above-mentioned profile and requirements are particularly encouraged to apply.
Roma Education Fund is an equal opportunities employer.
