Background:
 

The Open Society Institute (OSI), a private operating and grant making foundation, aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.
 

The OSI Public Health Program has been supporting Roma health programs since January 2001 through its Roma Health Project. The mission of the Roma Health Project is to advance the health and human rights of Roma by building the capacity of Roma civil society leaders and organizations, and advocating for accountability and a strong civil society role in the design, implementation and monitoring of policies and practices that most impact on the health of Roma. To advance its mission, the RHP pursues the following goals:

• Build the capacity of Roma NGOs that address health and health-related issues
• Promote the human rights of Roma and combat discrimination faced by Roma in accessing and receiving health care
• Support the development and implementation of health related laws, policies and practices that ensure just and equitable treatment for Roma
• Hold authorities accountable for their health and health related responsibilities to Roma under local/ regional/ national/ international laws and policies

The Roma Health Project pursues these goals and objectives through both grantmaking and operational efforts, including fostering activist leadership, capacity building of civil society, advocacy and information sharing activities. Its geographic mandate covers primarily Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and, to a lesser extent, Ukraine.
 

The Program Coordinator will report to the Program Officer of the Roma Health Project and will have the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Implement Roma Health Project strategy under the guidance of program officer and in coordination with relevant foundation actors, including drafting calls for applications, input in reviewing grant applications, the interim and final reports, monitoring grantees and ensuring that they are in compliance with grant procedures and program agreement
• Research and identify opportunities for advocacy on Roma health issues at EU level, and propose and design relevant advocacy activities
• Draft advocacy, information and communication pieces on RHP issues for appropriate audiences including EU bodies, Parliament members, International agencies, donors and civil society
• Contribute to Public Health Program publications and other literature as required
• Represent the OSI Roma Health Project in issues related to advancing the Roma health strategy
• Conduct field visits to assess implementation of supported program
• Facilitate capacity building of key Roma Health Project grantees to implement the approved projects and document human rights abuses in health care
• Maintaining relationship with grantees, coordinating and following up on grantee's proposals, organizing OSI meetings, providing input/ commenting on NF strategies, participating in the drafting of the Roma Health Project annual planning and budget
   

Requirements:
 

• Graduate degree in law, social work, sociology or other social sciences. Master’s degree in public health or public policy preferred; llack of graduate studies can be substituted by substantive knowledge and practical experience
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience, preferably in the fields of health and human rights
• Excellent English language skills, fluency in spoken and written
• Excellent computer skills (expertise with Microsoft Office, Excel, Access and databases required)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated high level of enthusiasm and commitment to Roma Health issues
• Romani language is an advantage, other languages from the region a strong plus
• In depth knowledge of situation of Roma from Central and South Eastern Europe a strong plus
• High level of self-motivation and ability to work independently
• Ability to travel up to 40% over the year

Salary:

Commensurate with experience and ability. Excellent benefits package.

To Apply:

Send curriculum vitae with at least two references and cover letter with gross annual salary requirement to applications@admingroup.hu including "Roma Health Project – Program Coordinator" in the subject line.

Application deadline: March 31, 2010

Further information about the Roma Health Project is available at http://www.soros.org/initiatives/health/focus/roma.

OSI is 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.