Deadline: 26 January 2015
Open to: international MA graduates in education, political science, social science, economics, law or public administration.
Benefits: competitive salary and benefits package.
Description
REF is a leading international non-governmental organization active in the field of Roma education working in 16 countries of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. The Program Officer will participate in the strategic thinking on REF activity and directions, in particular on building large-scale, sustainable activities for inclusion of Roma in education in line with REF’s 2015-2020 Strategy.
The Program Officer will be part of the REF Project Management Committee, therefore participating in all decisions related to REF project management and which are the responsibilities of the Committee.
More particularly the Program Officer will:
- Have specific responsibilities for the management of country programs for one or more of the Central, Eastern and South-East European countries, where REF is currently active. This activity will involve (a) the review and assessment of grant applications, establishing appropriate indicators to monitor project progress, supervising the grants throughout the entire project cycle, building the capacity of the implementing organizations to achieve the project objectives more effectively and ensuring appropriate evaluation of the project when it is finished; (b) the review and assessment of applications for reimbursable grants of REF provided to civil society organizations in order to mobilize EU funds and endeavoring to ensure that reimbursable grants are repaid through monitoring of and technical assistance provided to grantees; and (c) leading the policy dialogue with governments and NGO sector so as to develop large-scale interventions for Roma education. The program officer supervises the REF country facilitators who are locally-based consultants and the main point of contact for project applicants and implementers.
- Work closely with other program officers and country facilitators so that the lessons and experiences learned across REF projects in different countries are shared within REF, with project partners and other external stakeholders;
- Liaise closely with the other REF programs so as to promote synergies between different REF activities;
- Participate in REF communication activities by attending conferences and seminars; prepare and present papers and contribute to the policy dialogue with partners;
- Take part in monitoring visits to other countries and provide advice on the overall grant program of REF.
- Work on projects, supported by EU/EFTA or other donors, where REF is the implementer.
- Assure REF visibility in Roma education-related events, especially in the country/countries for which the program officer is responsible.
Eligibility
- MA level degree in one of the relevant subjects, such as education, political science, social science, economics, law or public administration;
- At least five years of demonstrated success in managing education or Roma related projects. Experience in managing a non governmental organization or working for a government ministry is considered as an advantage;
- Knowledge of issues related to education of minorities in Central and Eastern Europe and Roma issues will be an advantage;
- Fluent written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Romanes and/or any language spoken in countries of Central and Eastern Europe in which REF is active is considered as an advantage;
- Ability to work in a multicultural team in various contexts;
- Commitment to and passion about the REF mission.
Benefits
The salary will be discussed between the selected applicant and the employers. A competitive salary and benefits package.
Application
To apply you need to send letter of interest, your professional CV (Europass format), and at least 3 Letters of recommendation to ptoth@romaeducationfund.org before 26 January 2015. Please put “Application for Program Officer” in the subject line of the email.
