The Making the Most of EU Funds for Roma initiative seeks candidates with excellent communication skills in English and Hungarian for the position of Advocacy Program Coordinator.
Advocacy Program Coordinator
Making the Most of EU Funds for Roma
Application deadline: September 24, 2011
The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this mission, the Foundations seek to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, the Open Society Foundations implement a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, we build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.
Investor and philanthropist George Soros established the Open Society Foundations, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. Our activities have grown to encompass the United States and more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Each Foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.
Background
In 2007, the Open Society Foundations launched the initiative Making the Most of EU Funds for Roma (Making the Most, MtM) as an instrument to connect achievement of the Roma Decade objectives to EU financial resources. Through project development assistance, capacity-building and advocacy, Making the Most seeks solutions to problems such as weak visibility of Roma issues in the implementation of EU cohesion policies at national and local levels; resource and expertise disadvantage; and overly bureaucratic funding procedures, which block access of the most deprived to rights and opportunities.
As part of the implementation of the strategy for 2011-2013, MtM engaged in solidifying its professional network that is capable of engaging in high level policy dialogue, capacity building of local, national authorities and in Brussels. The main focus of this work is to create a firm link between EU policies, national policies and local level impact. The Program Coordinator will support the work of the MtM policy and advocacy team.
Responsibilities
Grants administration/Financial reporting
- Administer and monitors grants and consultancy contracts
- Correspond with partners and experts
- Work closely with financial and accounting departments to ensure overall procedural compliance
Documentation
- Contribute to and supports the development of MtM program documentation, reporting, and evaluation materials
- In charge of organizing and archiving the electronic and physical files for the grants portfolio
Office management and administrative support
- Organize regional meetings, thinker sessions, trainings and other workshops on local and network level
Program implementation
- In cooperation with MtM managers and partners, maintain and regularly update the MtM website
- Conduct program-related internet research
- Assist the assigned managers in assessment and review of project proposals
- Conduct supervised communication with network representatives and grantees to follow up on ongoing and proposed projects
- Support regional, country-specific, or in-house policy research initiatives under the supervision of the senior policy advisors
- Identify professional resources available in the region and communicates with partner organizations with the guidance of senior staff
- Take part in seminars and workshops organized by the program
- Assist in printing and publishing various materials by MtM
- Take meeting minutes
- Serve the Director and the Chair of the program as well as other initiatives of the Open Society Foundations in different short-term and long-term assignments
Qualifications
- Minimum BA level education in public policy, public administration or related fields
- At least 3 years of relevant experience
- Understanding of equality policy
- Basic knowledge of government structures related to using EU funds for Roma inclusion
- Some experience in community level work with Roma
- Policy research or program evaluation experience is an asset
- Strong administrative skills and attention to detail
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English and Hungarian
- Outstanding organizational skills, reliable and flexible personality
- Understanding and high level commitment to Roma inclusion and social justice based development
- Experience in working with Roma communities is a plus
- Problem solving and self-starter attitude
- Ability to work in a fast paced, diverse work environment
- Ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of projects and prioritize appropriately
- Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition
- Integrity, professional discretion and ability to handle confidential matters;
- Good team player
- IT proficiency, including familiarity with databases (MS Access) and internet research
To Apply: Please send curriculum vitae and cover letter to applications@admingroup.hu indicating “MtM/PCADV” in the subject line.
Application deadline: September 24, 2011
The Open Society Foundations are an Equal Opportunity Employer which supports diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
► Please note that the Decade of Roma Inclusion Secretariat Foundation is not involved in recruiting for this position. If you have questions or would like to apply, please use the contact information provided above.
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