Open Call for Advocacy Officer

Terms of Reference

ADVOCACY OFFICER

Background information about Roma Versitas Albania

Roma Versitas Albania was initially a program that started in September 2014 as a program of the Roma Education Fund. On the 8^th of April 2016, after a joint initiative with Roma students, and with the support of the Roma Education Fund, it became a civil society organization. Roma Versitas Albania aims to increase academic performance and graduation rates while building the advocacy, self-esteem, and identity of Roma and Egyptian students enrolled in public and private education institutions in Albania and supporting them during their transition to tertiary education or VET secondary education to access the labor market.

Roma Versitas Albania (RVA) is seeking an Advocacy Officer to join the project team in the implementation of the project “Education, Employment, Partnerships, and Gender Equality: A Winning Formula for Roma in VET”, funded by the Austrian Development Agency and implemented by RVA in cooperation with Roma Education Fund (REF – lead partner) and Roma Versitas Kosovo (partner). The project aims to contribute to social inclusion and poverty reduction of Roma in Albania and Kosovo through the support of vocational education and training, facilitation of the labor market, and empowering stakeholders to take measures to support the transition of Roma to employment. The project will be implemented in Albania and Kosovo. The project will be managed by the Project Manager, based at the REF headquarters in Belgrade, Serbia, and will be implemented in Albania and Kosovo. The project duration is through December 2022.

The objectives will be achieved by facilitating access to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Schools for Roma youth and young adults in the two targeted countries. It is expected that the project beneficiaries will successfully enroll in targeted vocational schools or short-term vocational centers with the aim to improve confidence and skills, graduate, and be competitive in the labor market. The activities will be focused on the provision of support to education through scholarships, mentoring, and tutoring, and increasing employability through job placements, professional development, and multifaceted partnerships with employers and governmental institutions.

Position specifics

The Advocacy Officer will work in close cooperation and under the supervision of the Project Coordinator in Albania, and with the Education and Employment Coordinator and Admin and Finance Officer.

A fixed-term contract at the Roma Versitas Albania office.

The planned duration of the engagement: the job position is until the end of December 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Regularly organize and meet with both direct and indirect target groups (schools and employers) to raise the level of awareness, sensitivity and adherence to the project’s gender equality outcome among the primary and indirect target groups;

• In cooperation with the project team and REF, based on the country assessments and ongoing project implementation experience, draft a specific policy-shaping/recommendation package for project stakeholders (authorities responsible for employment, respective ministries, and governments) to take over the WinForVET model of intervention;
• Take the lead in organizing national roundtables for advocacy and influencing policy, and leading discussions with the stakeholders toward drafting policy recommendations to be shared widely with the institutions, project partners, and interested parties;
• Conducts research, collects and analyzes data from the field and in close consultation with the mentors and tutors;
• Conduct surveys and questionnaires with indirect target groups (employers, schools);
• Review of the policy and legal framework of education employment and self-employment;
• Organize meetings with potential employers, and promote the beneficiaries for employment;
• Build and establish strategic relationships with education institutions, employment institutions, local and national authorities and/or other related institutions, NGOs and other field professionals;
• Perform site visits to the project stakeholders;

• Ensures adaptability of the gender equality dimension in all the activities under the project.

• Regular reporting to the Project Coordinator and contribution to project reports;
• Perform other work-related duties, as assigned by the Project Coordinator;

Travel requirements:

• Frequent travels nationally, and occasionally internationally;

Necessary Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree/BA or equivalent degree; advanced degree preferred; in social sciences, policies, law, or political science;
• Three years of relevant experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Work experience with policy analysis, policy-making; legislation review; research;
• NGO experience is essential;
• Experience and competencies in working in a multicultural environment;
• Experience in project monitoring and evaluation tools (M&E) is a plus;

Skills Required

• Working efficiently in a fast-paced environment, troubleshooting and following activities through their successful completion, with strict deadlines and with attention to detail;
• Proficient skills in research, data analysis, and policy recommendations;
• Excellent organizational, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Effectively work as a team member, as well as independently, with a high level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals;
• Good knowledge and understanding of the employment regulations and education system in Albania, and the level of inclusion of Roma in the labor market;
• Good understanding of key organizations and employment networks active in the field;
• Good reporting skills, understanding of monitoring and evaluation, and familiarity with budget tracking;
• Good level of computer usage proficiency;
• Good command of the English and Albanian (written and spoken) is a must; knowledge of the Romani language is considered an added value;
• Good listening and communication skills, with sensitivity to cultural communication differences;
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with colleagues and the general public;
• A driver’s license is considered an added value;

All interested candidates are kindly invited to send their application, a Curriculum Vitae, a Motivation Letter, and two recommendations to [email protected], with the subject: “Advocacy Officer at RVA” no later than 23 May at 12:00.