Researcher / Policy Analyst in Roma and Egyptians Policies in Education and Social Inclusion
Project Support: “Inclusive EduJobs – Towards Context-Relevant Policies and Services Enhancing Employability and Educational Outcomes of Roma and Egyptians in Albania”
Municipal Scholarship Scheme for Roma and Egyptian Students in Compulsory Education project is supported by the sub-grant schemes of the “Inclusive EduJobs – Albania”, implemented by the Open Society Foundation for Albania, KMOP, and the Municipality of Tirana, and funded by the European Union.
Objective of the Call:
The “Municipal Scholarship Scheme for Roma and Egyptian Students in Compulsory Education” project aims to ensure the sustainable attendance of 50 Roma and Egyptian students in school, improve their educational achievements, and reduce illiteracy. Furthermore, the project seeks to enhance the economic income of Roma and Egyptian families, while combating child abuse in labor and begging. As part of this initiative, we are seeking an expert to conduct research to identify the factors, other than financial limitations, contributing to the dropout of Roma and Egyptian children from compulsory education. The research will be based on questionnaires conducted with Roma and Egyptian parents, with a focus on understanding the underlying reasons for school dropout and developing strategies to increase parental awareness of the importance of education for sustainable economic futures.
What are your responsibilities?
- Conduct in-depth comparative research on social inclusion policies, with a focus on minority rights, child protection, and poverty reduction in Albania and EU countries.
- Carry out applied research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods to analyze social protection policies and services for marginalized groups.
- Contribute to project success by designing research proposals and methodologies.
- Develop and implement research based on surveys with Roma and Egyptian parents to assess barriers to education.
- Identify non-financial factors contributing to school dropouts among Roma and Egyptian children.
- Investigate additional educational barriers and propose strategies to enhance parental engagement and awareness.
- Provide recommendations to improve government scholarship programs, ensuring they effectively address identified challenges.
- Advise on scholarship criteria revisions to enhance academic support and performance, particularly for second-year students.
- Develop awareness-raising strategies to promote the value of education among Roma and Egyptian parents for long-term economic sustainability.
Required Qualifications and Experience.
- Proven experience and/or expertise in conducting qualitative and quantitative research studies, particularly in education or social inclusion.
- Strong understanding of Roma and Egyptian National Minorities in Albania, including education background, challenges in education and social barriers.
- Proficiency in data analysis, report writing, and formulating policy recommendations.
- Experience working with marginalized communities in education, employment, and social inclusion.
- Ability to engage effectively with Roma and Egyptian parents and local stakeholders.
- Experience collaborating with public authorities, NGOs, and international organizations on social protection and inclusion.
- Strong teamwork skills in multicultural and interdisciplinary environments.
- Experience in child protection services and early childhood education is an asset.
- Master’s degree (PhD a strong asset) with at least five years of experience in public policy, sociology, social sciences, or human rights and law.
* Priority will be given to Roma or Egyptian applicants who meet the above-mentioned criteria.
Duration and Timeline:
The selected expert will be contracted under a service agreement for the duration 2 months, with clear terms and deliverables outlined in the contract. The final report, including recommendations and advocacy strategies targeting public authorities responsible in education and social inclusion policies, should be delivered by the end of April.
Application Process:
Interested experts should submit at [email protected] the following:
- A CV highlighting relevant experiences.
- A proposal outlining the research methodology, timeline, and budget.
- A brief cover letter (300 words) explaining why they are suitable for the role and their approach to the project.
- Previous study research work, similar or focused on the Roma and Egyptian communities.
Submission Deadline: 9 March 2025