European Free Trade Association is looking for a Sector Officer for Roma Inclusion

Are you a dynamic and highly motivated professional looking to make a positive impact in Europe? Join our team as the new Sector Officer for Roma Inclusion at the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) in Brussels.

About us:

The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) - affiliated with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - carries out the day-to-day management of the EEA and Norway Grants. The Grants are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein’s contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and strengthen bilateral relations and partnerships between the Donor States and the 15 Beneficiary States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia). Norway provides around 97% of the Grants and Iceland and Liechtenstein the rest.

We are now entering a new funding period with a budget of 3.2 billion euros. At the same time, we are closing the current funding period with a budget of 2.8 billion euros.

The programmes in the new funding period will focus on these overall priorities:

• European green transition

• Democracy, rule of law and human rights

• Social inclusion and resilience

Why join the FMO?

At the FMO, we offer more than just a job - we offer a stimulating and diverse international workplace with a trust-based culture. Our team of more than 50 employees coming from the EEA region, bring a rich blend of experiences and knowledge to our daily operations. We work closely with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Donor States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), the 15 Beneficiary States and various international partners. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful environment where you can advance your career and contribute to meaningful results that make a difference.

Learn more: If you're ready to take on a rewarding challenge and be part of a dedicated team working towards improving economic and social progress and strengthening cooperation and partnerships in Europe, we encourage you to apply. For more details about our work and the opportunities we offer, please visit our website at www.eeagrants.org.

The position is open to nationals of the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) and nationals of the member states of the European Union.

Division: Financial Mechanism Office

Location: Brussels

Category/Level: A4

Duration of Appointment: Fixed term three years (renewable once if in the interest of the FMO)

Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 01-10-2024

Scope

As a Sector Officer in the FMO you will manage a portfolio of programmes, provide expertise advice, and ensure progress in planning, development, and implementation of programmes. In some cases, you will also be responsible for directly managing programmes through contracted fund operators in the Beneficiary States. The Sector Officer is expected to manage programme teams within the FMO.

The EEA and Norway Grants operates through a working model where the Beneficiary States are responsible for implementing the programmes. The FMO works in financial cycles navigated by risk assessments and results-based management. Building relations with stakeholders based on trust is at the core of how the Sector Officers operate.

As the Sector Officer for Roma Inclusion you will assist in closing current programmes and assessing their results, furthermore you will assist the Beneficiary States in the development of new programmes under the upcoming funding period. In your portfolio of Roma inclusion and empowerment, focus on gender equality and digitalisation is especially relevant across the thematic areas and in some of our Beneficiary States.

As part of your role, you will also engage in travel to fulfil your responsibilities and will be reporting to the Head of Unit.

Tasks

As the Sector Officer for Roma Inclusion, your role will involve:

• Monitoring sector developments and providing strategic advice: you will keep abreast about developments within the of Roma inclusion and empowerment sector and offer advice to Donors and Beneficiary States to ensure that the programmes align with the priorities set by the Grants.

• Program development and implementation: you will oversee and manage a portfolio of programmes, supporting their development and implementation; further, you will lead programme teams within the FMO.

• Main contact point with Program Operators: you will keep regular contact with Programme Operators in the Beneficiary States, clear communication and collaboration are essential here.

• Strategic assessment of cooperation: you will evaluate the strategic relevance of cooperation between institutions in both the Donor States and the Beneficiary States helping to optimise the impact.

• Engaging with Donors: you will drive the dialogue with the Donors, providing updates on programme development, implementation and sharing results.

• Additional responsibilities: Beyond the listed tasks, you will handle any other duties as required, adapting to the dynamic needs of the role and the needs of FMO.

Qualifications

A Master’s-level university degree in a relevant field.

Experience

Required Experience:

• You should have a minimum of six years of relevant work experience in the field of human rights and social inclusion, specifically, with focus on minority groups and those facing marginalisation or disadvantage.

• Negotiating and cooperating with national-level ministries to implement social inclusion programmes or policies.

• Collaborating with Roma and pro-Roma civil society organisations.

• Managing programmes and policies aimed at the social inclusion and empowerment of Roma.

• Grant management or program management experience.

Desired Experience:

• Familiarity with the policies and thematic priorities of the EEA and Norway Grants in both Donor and Beneficiary States.

• Practical experience working on Roma inclusion and empowerment, including involvement in local or community-based projects.

• A proven track record of integrating a human rights-based approach, including expertise in intersectional approaches related to Roma issues.

Skills

• Good understanding of relevant EU policies and programmes supporting Roma equality, inclusion, and participation.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the challenges Roma communities encounter in Europe, with a particular emphasis on Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

• Understanding of results-based management and ability to work with risk assessments;

• Excellent analytical, drafting, presentation and communication skills.

• Strong diplomatic and negotiating skills.

• Strong interpersonal abilities with pragmatic and result-oriented attitude and cultural sensitivity.

• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.

Languages

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (the working language of the FMO). Further language knowledge, relevant for use in the Beneficiary States, is an asset. Fluency in any of the Donor State languages would be an advantage.

Employment Terms

Grade: A4

Annual starting salary: EUR 106,704.24

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The Director of the FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised.

The FMO is an employer dedicated to the principles of diversity and equality. We are committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, with a healthy work-life balance.

We offer very interesting and challenging positions in a dynamic and diverse environment and the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. Salaries and related payments are exempt from taxation by the EFTA Member States, and as regulated in headquarters agreements, in the EFTA host states. Depending on the candidate’s family status, benefits and allowances may apply.

For further information on this post, please contact: Head of Funds and Horizontal Concerns Unit, Mr Hjörtur Sverrisson, tel. +32 2 2111 810, email hjortur.sverrisson@efta.int.

Contact Ms Vera Medinskaya, Head of Administration and HR Unit, email vera.medinskaya@efta.int, tel. +32 2 2111 860, for questions related to the recruitment process.

Please note that only applications received via our web tool (https://jobs.efta.int/home.html) will be considered.

Deadline for submission of applications: 1 October 2024.