Term of Reference for 7 Country Facilitators, one per each of the following countries:
Albania (1), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1), Kosovo*(1), Montenegro (1), North Macedonia (1), Serbia (1), Turkey (1)
In the Project Increased Education Support and Opportunities for Roma Students in Western Balkans and Turkey (RARE), phase II
The Roma Education Fund (REF) is looking for a Country Facilitator positions under Consultancy contract to ensure implementation of the project activities in Western Balkans and Turkey within the REF project “Increased education support and opportunities for Roma students in Western Balkans and Turkey” funded by European Union.
The Facilitator(s) should closely collaborate with the national/local institutions and REF implementing partner organizations in the respective countries of implementation on access to quality education at all levels for Roma children and youth and facilitate opportunities for Roma youth employability. Accordingly, the Facilitator(s) will act as REF National Focal Point for the respective countries and in collaboration with the project team will oversee the implementation of the project at the country level.
Background
The project EU Regional Action for Roma Education: Increased Education Support and Opportunities for Roma Students in the Western Balkans and Turkey (RARE), phase II constitutes a second phase of the already-implemented project during 2018-2021 by REF. During the first phase of the project, the education services provided through the seven project countries (Albania – ALB; Bosnia and Herzegovina – BIH; Kosovo – KOS; Montenegro – MNE; North Macedonia – MAC; Serbia – SER; Turkey – TUR) amounted to involving more than 4500 Roma children and youth (from all educational levels) in education activities. The present project continues the gains and results of the initial project, while, at the same time, creating a well-founded base for children and youth inclusion and participation in education.
The project objectives will be achieved through:
- Contribution to improving the educational outcomes of Roma children and youth. Through the activities, the children and the students will benefit from pre-school education and enrolment into primary schools, scholarship provision for Roma students in secondary and tertiary education, including mentoring and support.
- Generate support in the transition of Roma students from education to employment. Secondary and tertiary students will benefit from an employability-aimed approach (training on soft skills, material support, internship opportunities and experience exchanges etc.).
- Promote inclusive education within the education systems of the project countries. The project will build capacities of relevant authorities and their understanding of the specific challenges faced by the Roma community, support regional networking and exchanging experiences with the aim to contribute to mainstreaming of Roma in the relevant policy domains.
- Increase access and participation of Roma girls in the education and contribute to improved gender equality.
In this sense, beneficiaries will be selected according to criteria that will support and promote gender equality in the sense that priority will be given to girls/women to be included in the project, thus ensuring gender inclusion throughout the entire period of the implementation of the project (related to all specific objectives).
The project is expected to run until December 2026
Project’s Activities are:
- Expanding access to quality Early Childhood Education/ECD services;
- Expanding access to quality primary school education;
- Increasing performance and employability of Roma secondary school students;
- Increasing access and participation of Roma students in tertiary education and transition to labor market;
- Contributing to policy development and regional knowledge exchange and communication.
Description of Responsibilities for the Country Facilitator
The Country Facilitator under direct supervision and guidance of the Project Team based in REF Headquarters Office in Belgrade and Bucharest is expected to undertake the following tasks:
- Develop, plan and organize project related activities for the respective country;
- Act as a national project focal point for REF in the respective country thus representing the project within the country;
- Interact with REF implementing partner organizations and other field professionals in the respective country;
- Check and ensure that implementing partners submit regularly reports (both financial and narrative, and required annexes) as required under the terms of the contract;
- Disseminate, comment strategy/position papers that provide direction on education and employment policy issues impacting the field and/or offer suggestions about strategic project developments for REF and implementing partners;
- Build and establish strategic relationships with education and employment institutions, CSOs and other relevant associations in the respective country;
- Stay abreast of developments in the field, research and participation in relevant conferences and/or meetings;
- Regular field monitoring, collecting data and reporting to the project team;
- Perform other duties as required;
Other:
- Travel requirements: frequent travel nationally and if required internationally (e.g. project’s countries);
- Participating in the REF organized trainings/events;
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelors’ degree/BA or equivalent degree; advanced degree preferred;
- Minimum three years of relevant experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Experience in working in CSO sector is essential;
- Experience and competencies in working in a multicultural environment;
- Previous experience in working with Roma and/or Roma CSOs.
Skills required
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Roma context in the respective country and the Region;
- 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 of key organizations, education and employment networks active in the respective country;
- Ability to communicate ideas in a manner conducive to their practical application;
- Excellent organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills;
- Fluency in written and spoken English language and of the respective country language;
- Knowledge of Romani language is considered an added value;
- Proficient level of computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Zoom, etc.);
- Diver license is considered an added value;
Start date: March 2024 (starting as soon as possible)
End date: December 2026. The Consultancy contract will be renewed for each academic year.
Location: Albania (1), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1), Kosovo*(1), Montenegro (1), North Macedonia (1), Serbia (1), Turkey (1)
Compensation:
- The envisaged no. of days of consultancy to be provided are estimated at approx. 65 days/each of the 7 countries per academic year;
- Consultants are expected to be involved for a number of 3 academic years;
- Gross amount per consultancy day is estimated at Gross 90 Eur./day;
Application Process
A complete application includes:
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Statement of interest, that should include:
- Your motivation and academic / education degree;
- Any previous experience in working with state authorities, education and employment agencies;
- Your previous experience working with Roma communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) or other relevant organizations in the respective country;
Application must be made in English and must be submitted at the latest by 29 February 2024 to the following address: rareproject@romaeducationfund.org. Please include in the subject line “Country Facilitator for (respective country)”.
Individuals identifying themselves as Roma, Roma Education Fund scholarship recipients, and fulfilling the above-mentioned profile and requirements are encouraged to apply. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Important: To avoid conflicts of interest, individuals who are part of or affiliated with implementing partner organizations supported within this project cannot apply on this call.
Due to a high number of applications, unfortunately, REF is not in the position to be able to respond to every applicant individually. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
