Background
The Roma Education Fund’s (REF) mission and goal is to close the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma. To achieve this goal, the organization supports policies and programs which ensure access to quality education for Roma through scholarships, grant making, research and advocacy activities. The objectives of REF include:
- Expanding Romani children’s access to quality early childhood education and care;
- Improving primary education outcomes for Romani children aged six to fourteen;
- Boosting academic performance and graduation rates from secondary education for Romani pupils;
- Supporting access to tertiary education, improving graduation levels and strengthening identity of Romani university students;
- Expanding employment opportunities for young Romani adults
Outline of the Position
This is a fixed-term position for 12 months. The incumbent will be based in Budapest, Hungary.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Finance Officer, the incumbent will be in charge of:
- Responding to incoming phone calls, providing information on REF partners through email and phone, responding the Program related questions from the applicants.
- Organizing travels for REF staff, REF Board members, REF country facilitators, REF consultants, and partners.
- Providing assistance for the organization of REF conferences and meetings (general organization, booking, travels, accommodation, transfers, preparing agenda according to instructions, distributing relevant documents and information). Creating travel approval forms, expenses claim forms, payment requests and ensuring that staff comply with these.
- Managing office supplies, purchasing equipment, tendering for office purchase, negotiating with suppliers (finding the best offers for the REF). Ensuring that the office is adequately maintained.
- Keeping track of office assets and inventory.
- Maintaining contact with REF suppliers, managing and regularly updating stakeholder list.
- Providing support to REF visitors.
- Managing REF files, filing system and docketing documents and contracts.
- Assisting REF Staff in administrative support and providing information in line with REF guidelines and procedures.
- Opening and sorting out incoming mail, collecting and sending outgoing mail, organizing data. Ensuring quality control of all letters and documents sent out by REF.
- Providing administrative support for REF staff and consultant: insurance, registration, work permit.
- Assisting in human resource related tasks, including preparation of monthly payroll information for the accountants.
- Managing petty cash and outstanding vendor balances
- Supporting REF’s financial administration and REF accounting
- Performance or execution of any other tasks.
Necessary Qualifications:
- B.A. in administration, management or other related discipline. Secondary education supplemented by a formal training or studies in administration, project management of national minorities affairs;
- At least two years of relevant experience in project administration and/or office management;
- Ability and willingness to work with the people of different nationalities, cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, as well as ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
- Good understanding of local and international environment;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, advantage if spoken one or more languages of the project countries;
- Computer literacy with practical experience in Microsoft applications;
- Knowledge of Romani language is considered an advantage.
Core competencies:
- Initiative: Actively seeks to improve programs or services; Seeks challenging experiences and approaches them with passion, enthusiasm and professionalism;
- Planning and Organization: Develops clear goals and achieves results that are consistent with agreed strategies; Adapts and reacts in a flexible manner when necessary;
- Communication: Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
- Teamwork: Works independently and collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals; Shares knowledge and insight with others;
- Ownership: Accepts personal responsibility (including shortcomings) and ownership of actions (including for work unit, where applicable) for achieving results; Understands organizational vision, mission and values, and leverages this knowledge when making decisions; Makes tough decisions when necessary;
- Development: Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally and to contribute to the growth of the organization; Seeks feedback to learn and improve the organization;
In order to develop and deliver our education programs that provide quality, inclusive education for Roma children and youth, we believe in five core values that join us together and that mirror the work, actions and ideals of our organization and its culture:
- Tenacity; Integrity; Justice; Accountability; Inquisitiveness
How to apply
Qualified candidates are invited to send their cover letters and CV (both in English) by 15 November 2019 via email to recruitment@romaeducationfund.org with the subject line: Administrative Assistant.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Selection process is based on a written test and competency-based interview.
Individuals identifying themselves as Roma and fulfilling the above-mentioned profile and requirements are particularly encouraged to apply. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Roma Education Fund is an equal opportunities employer.