Budapest, December 16, 2010 - The Open Society Foundations are the major supporters of the Decade of Roma Inclusion. Open Society Roma Initiatives guides and coordinates all aspects of Open Society Foundations programming and grantmaking activity related to Roma within the framework of the Decade.

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

The Open Society Foundations are the major nongovernmental supporters of efforts to improve the economic and social inclusion of Roma in Central and South Eastern Europe. Over the last 15 years, the Open Society Foundations’ Roma-related programs have worked on a wide range of issues, including equal access to quality education, women’s empowerment and gender equity, public health, civic and political participation, media access and development of Roma media, promoting tolerance, cultural diversity, and challenging anti-Roma prejudice.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the director, the program coordinator will have the following responsibilities:

* Reviews project proposals submitted to the Open Society Roma Initiatives
* Reviews reports of the projects supported by the Open Society Roma Initiatives
* Facilitates contribution of staff to the grants-making and monitoring
* Organizes and implements monitoring visits
* Reports about findings of the monitoring visits
* Provides support to operational projects of the Open Society Roma Initiatives
* Provides input to annual report of Open the Society Roma Initiatives
* Assists in exchange of information within the Open Society Foundations about Roma Initiatives grantmaking
* Collects information about activities of the Foundations’ national and local Roma advocacy
* Provides input to the network coordination activities of the Open Society Roma Initiatives

Besides these main responsibilities, the program coordinator might be asked by the director to undertake additional or different responsibilities and tasks.

Note: the job description will be revisited six months after its finalization and inception.
Qualifications

* Minimum bachelor's degree, preferably in social sciences
* At least 2 years of relevant experience
* In-depth knowledge of situation of Roma from Central and South Eastern Europe
* Good communication and organizational skills
* Flexible, proactive self-starter with problem solving attitude
* Diplomatic and respectful manner and disposition in interacting with senior management, co-workers, grantees, partners, Roma communities and other contacts.
* Excellent command of English, proficient command in Romanes would be an advantage
* Excellent computer skills (proficient usage of Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer) are required.

Start Date

Immediately
To Apply

Please send applications in English, including a motivation letter and curriculum vitae, to applications@admingroup.hu indicating “Program Coordinator – Roma Initiatives” in the subject line.

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.

http://www.soros.org/about/locations/budapest/rom-prcoo-20101201

Deadline: 2011/01/02

Source: Caleidoscop