The deadline to apply for Ombudsman positions for the the Roma Health Scholarship Program has been extended from May 10 to May 28, 2010.
The Open Society Institute and the Roma Education Fund are seeking applicants for Ombudsman positions for the Roma Health Scholarship Program.
Call for Applications
Roma Health Scholarship Program (RHSP) Ombudsman
Background:
The Roma Health Scholarship Program (RHSP or ”the Program”), entitled “Leadership in Health: A Generation of Professionals in the Health Care System,” is an innovative program launched in 2008 by the Roma Health Project (RHP) of the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the Scholarships Program of the Roma Education Fund (REF). The Program is meant to support Roma students who study or intend to study Medicine in Romania and Bulgaria and, starting from 2010, in Serbia and Macedonia as well.
During the first two years of RHSP in Romania and Bulgaria, the REF Scholarships Program and RHP teams have received numerous inquiries, complaints and suggestions regarding the implementation of the various components within the RHSP, which are: media campaign, scholarships, advocacy training, and mentorship.
Objective:
In order to address submitted complaints, inquiries or requests for review in an independent and consistent manner and to respond properly to the complaints and inquiries of the applicants and scholars, RHP and the REF Scholarships Program decided to establish a body hereafter referred to as the RHSP Ombudsmen. Interested parties are invited to submit applications, as described below.
Main tasks:
The Ombudsmen will be retained as consultants, and shall perform the following duties:
· receiving the complaints and suggestions in relation to all the components of the RHSP,
· investigating, analyzing and making recommendations regarding complaints and suggestions for the implementing partners at the local level as well as RHP and the REF Scholarships Program in order to improve processes to overcome identified challenges,
· respond to complaints that are within the purview of the Ombudsmen
· preparing an assessment report with detailed description and analysis of the findings for each outstanding complaint and informing RHP and the REF Scholarships Program about the challenges applicants and scholars face in relation to any of the above mentioned components,
· preparing an annual report making recommendations for the implementing partners at the local level and for RHP and the REF Scholarships Program.
Required Skills/Qualifications:
The RHSP Ombudsman shall:
· Have all permits and equipment to work as self-employed consultant
· Have legal, medical education or other background relevant to the Program
· Be a citizen of one of the following countries: Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia.
· Have minimum 5 years of work experience on Roma-related issues (specifically education, public health, Roma health, human rights and advocacy),
· Be fluent in written and spoken English, as well as in at least one of the languages of the Program (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Romanian, Serbian),
· Have strong analytical skills,
· Not be involved in the administration of any of the RHSP components,
· Not be a beneficiary of the RHSP and/or any other OSI- and/or REF-funded programs.
Knowledge of Romani language shall be considered an advantage.
Knowledge of the regional or country context including the current Roma challenges (especially in education and Roma health) will be considered an advantage.
Timeframe:
The consultancy term will start on June 1, 2010 and will end on May 1, 2011 with an estimated 40 working days during this period, including an estimated 8 to 12 travel days as required for effective investigation of complaints received.
Performance indicators:
The performance of work will be evaluated based on following indicators:
· Consultancy provided with required quality;
· Compliance with the established timelines;
· Good cooperation with RHP, the REF Scholarships Program and local counterparts.
Financial Terms:
The Ombudsmen shall be compensated on a daily-fee basis, payment being made according to a schedule to be agreed upon. Applicants shall indicate their proposed gross daily rate in their applications.
Travel expenses related to the consultancy (economy air travel, local transportation and accommodation) will be reimbursed in addition to the fee.
Recruitment Process:
The Ombudsmen shall be compensated on a daily-fee basis, payment being made according to a schedule to be agreed upon. Applicants shall indicate their proposed gross daily rate in their applications.
Travel expenses related to the consultancy (economy air travel, local transportation and accommodation) will be reimbursed in addition to the fee.
Recruitment Process:
All interested applicants should send a cover letter, a CV/resume, and a brief concept note (1 page approx. or 400 words) describing the ombudsman methodology they envisage in order to address their tasks, and including their proposed daily fee to BOTH Ms. Alina Covaci at OSI at acovaci@osi.hu and Ms. Rodica Moroi at REF at rmoroi@romaeducationfund.org no later than 5 p.m. (Budapest time) May 28, 2010.
For further information please contact the above indicated contact persons.
For more info about the Roma Health Scholarship Program please see http://www.soros.org/initiatives/health/focus/roma/news/roma-scholarships-20100304 or http://ref.rmusp.org/