Job Advertisement: ADA036-20

BACKGROUND
Roma Versitas Albania was initially a program that started on September 2014 as a program of 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 also supporting them during transition to tertiary or VET secondary education to access the labour market.

Roma Versitas Albania (RVA) is seeking an Education and Employment Coordinator 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 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 support of the vocational education and training, facilitation to labour market and empowering stakeholders to take measures to support 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. Project duration is through December 2022.

The objectives will be achieved through 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 enrol in targeted vocational schools or short-term vocational centres with the aim to improve confidence and skills, graduate and be competitive at the labour market. The activities will be focused on 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.

1.EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT COORDINATOR

Position specifics
The Education and Employment Coordinator will work in close cooperation and under the supervision of the Project Coordinator in Albania, and with the Project Manager and Finance Officer of the project team at REF headquarters in Belgrade. He/she will also work closely with the Roma Versitas Albania staff.

Duties and Responsibilities
His/her responsibilities will include, but be not necessarily limited to, the following activities:

• Perform outreach activities for recruiting beneficiary participants, also engaging with family members and local communities;
• Organize and monitor work of mentors and tutors;
• Keep close relations with beneficiaries, monitor their educational and training progress, follow up their employment and skills related needs, and provide support to their transition to labour market;
• Organize meetings with potential employers, 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;
• Maintain project employment database and individual portfolios of each beneficiary;
• Stay abreast of developments in the field of employment and education;
• Perform site visits to the project stakeholders;
• Perform other work-related duties, as assigned by Project Coordinator;
• Regular reporting to the Project Coordinator and contribution to project reports.

Travel requirements:

• Frequent travels nationally, and occasionally internationally.

Necessary Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree/BA or equivalent degree; advanced degree preferred;
• Two to three years of relevant experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Work experience with business orientation, HR, and employability;
• 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 details;
• 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 labour market;
• Good knowledge 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 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 general public;
• Driver license is considered an added value.

Planned duration of the engagement: As soon as possible, the project duration is 32 months.

2.FINANCE COORDINATOR

Position specifics
The Project Admin and Financial Officer will work in close cooperation and under the supervision of the Project Coordinator in Albania, and with the Project Manager and Finance Officer of the project team at REF headquarters in Belgrade. He or She will also work closely with the Roma Versitas Albania staff.

Responsibilities
His/her responsibilities will include, but be not necessarily limited to, the following activities:

• General financial management;
• Preparation and management of bank transfers;
• Preparation of documents for bookkeeping and accounting;
• Maintaining contact with accountants, service providers;
• Assistance in the development and maintenance of the internal financial and controlling systems;
• Preparing contracts for RVA suppliers and other partners;
• Assistance in the preparation of periodic management reports;
• Assistance in the preparation of financial reports prepared to donors, including reporting on projects, expenditures, budget vs spending;
• Keeping contact on financial management and related matters with ADA’s Country Coordinator in Tirana;
• Projects/Grants Financial Management;
• Preparation and review of project budgets;
• Releasing disbursements;
• Keeping track and review of financial documents to be received from beneficiaries;
• Financial monitoring of ADA funds, perform periodic progress, budget reviews, conduct financial review and assess the financial health of organizations;
• Provide advice in terms of budget management and distribution to the project coordinator of ADA’s project in Tirana.

Qualifications

• BA or MA degree in Finances, Accounting or similar fields;
• Minimum of three years of experience working in any of these or related fields;
• Fluent written and spoken English and Albanian;
• Good analytical skills and attention to details;
• Ability to work in a multinational team, under pressure, large number of tasks and meeting tight deadline;
• Ability to build and manage relationships within and outside the organisation;
• Project management skills;
• Solution and action orientation;
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office programs;
• Ability to read and analyse financial statements;
• Knowledge and experience in capacity building with external clients;
• Familiarity with the Decade of Roma Inclusion, working with Roma NGOs and donor reporting would be advantage.

Application Process
How to apply: Qualified candidates  are  invited  to  send  their  CV  and  Motivation  letter  by  at the latest 24 July 2020 to the following address: [email protected]. Please include in the subject line “Vacancy Announcement: Education and Employment Coordinator” and “Finance Coordinator” for the finance position.

 Applications that are submitted after the application deadline will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Individuals identifying themselves as Roma, Roma Education Fund scholarship recipients, and fulfilling the above-mentioned profile and requirements are particularly encouraged to apply. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.