National Advocacy Manager , Budapest, Hungary

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people.

We seek to strengthen the rule of law; respect for human rights, minorities, and a diversity of opinions; democratically elected governments; and a civil society that helps keep government power in check.

We help to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights.

We implement initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media.

We build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information.

Working in every part of the world, the Open Society Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.

The Roma Initiatives Office (RIO), a group of coordinating, grantmaking, and operational programs within the Open Society Foundations, is dedicated to promoting the equality and integration of Europe’s largest ethnic minority. The Roma Initiatives Office facilitates dialogue and exchange to enhance the grantmaking and knowledge of Open Society programs that work with Roma communities. In the area of grantmaking, RIO provides general institutional development grants to Roma nongovernmental organizations as well as grants for specific projects addressing the empowerment of Roma, especially among youth and women; more effective policy advocacy and civic accountability mechanisms toward governments; and more mutually positive attitudes and forms of coexistence.

The National Advocacy Manager will work under the supervision of the Director of Roma Initiatives. The work of the National Advocacy Manager will focus on changes in laws, policies and practices of governments and public administration in countries of strategic importance for RIO. These countries are in Central and South-Eastern Europe (primarily but not limited to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia) as well as western European countries such as France, Italy and Spain.

Purpose of Position

The purpose of this position is to develop greater focus on national level advocacy strategies and grantmaking to strengthen capacities of key grantees.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. The Open Society Foundations may add, change or remove essential duties and other duties at any time.

• Draft, update and manage national advocacy strategies
• Set and update priorities for grantmaking
• Review project proposals
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation of the Roma Initiatives Office's advocacy initiatives
• Develop and manage capacity-building support to Romani individuals and organizations
• Draft and oversee the production of policy products (i.e. factsheets, policy briefs) necessary for RIO’s advocacy activities
• Identify and develop peer exchange and learning opportunities for grantees and technical assistance consultants, and facilitate these meetings as required.
• Collaborate and develop strategic partnerships with Roma-led civil society organizations, media, think tanks, expert groups and individuals
• Coordinate Roma-related advocacy activities with partners of the  Open Society Foundations
• Explore niches for RIO's intervention in mainstream policy areas, such as economy and entrepreneurship, anti-discrimination and security, and civic and political participation in public decision-making, among others 
• When relevant, supervise the advocacy-related work of Roma Initiatives fellows

Education / Experience

• Master’s degree (M.A.) from a university and minimum five years relevant experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Degree in social sciences, policy, law or a related field
• Management experience, preferably in a comparable advocacy management function in government or international organizations, advocacy NGOs and/or think tanks
• Demonstrated track record in public policy advocacy
• Solid knowledge of European integration processes in Central and Eastern Europe, and/or the Western Balkans. 
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation

Skills Required

• Complete fluency in English with excellent writing and editorial skills
• Public speaking and presentation skills
• Dynamic self-starter, a good team player, with an ability to work both independently and with others
• Knowledge of Romani language and other languages where the Roma Initiatives Office works is a plus
• Willingness to undertake international travel

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

Application Instructions

Please send resume including publications, motivation letter with salary requirement and writing sample by December 31, 2012, toapplications_BP@admingroup.hu. Include this job code in the subject line: RIO-NAM.