Deadline: February 28, 2018
The European Public Health Alliance invites applications for the EPHA-OSF Roma Health Fellowship Programme. With the support of the Public Health Program of the Open Society Foundations, EPHA (the European Public Health Alliance) – Europe’s leading NGO advocating for better health – launches a one-year fellowship programme (2018 – 2019) to train and mentor Roma health EU advocates.
The Fellowship aims to empower young Roma Health Advocates working on Roma issues to develop the necessary tools to engage with European policy makers and to increase the capacity of Roma communities for leadership on Roma health at EU level. Ideally, the Fellows would be seconded from a civil society organisation based in Central or Eastern Europe. The Fellows (and their sending organisations) will have the opportunity to develop their professional skills with a practical and European orientation, and develop contacts and cooperation with key EU-level actors (e.g. European Commission, Members of the European Parliament and European networks of NGOs inter-alia).
About the Programme
The programme provides tailored technical assistance for two Roma health advocates on EU Health Advocacy. The tailored assistance will include mentoring and training component on the key EU health processes. It will also facilitate establishing partnerships and potential collaborations with relevant EU actors.
Fellowship action will add to EPHA’s engagement with the European Framework of the National Roma Integration Strategies (NRIS) and Fellows are expected to work on the national strategy of their home country, by making analyses and contributing shadow reporting activities.
The Fellowship will be mainly via electronic communication between the fellow and EPHA staff. The programme requires approximately two days’ engagement per month and 5 visits to Brussels: three days per visit, including coverage of travel and accommodation costs and a per diem to cover necessary costs for the visit.
The aim is to develop the following skills and knowledge:
- An understanding of the EU decision making and consultation processes with a focus on health actors within the EU institutions;
- Improved policy analysis and policy drafting skills, including policy recommendations for decision makers;
- Building alliances with various organisations operating in social and health sectors;
- Improved presentation and public speaking skills via face-to-face meetings with EU decision makers.
The Roma Health Fellows will be coordinated by the EPHA Roma Health and ECD project manager and will have a senior EPHA staff member as their personal mentor for their professional development.
Benefits
Please note, this position is voluntary and does not offer financial remuneration (apart from coverage of necessary costs).
The Fellowship programme provides financial support for travel, accommodation, and per-diem related costs within the programme’s term. The concept of the Fellowship is that it is complementary to the ongoing employment/studies of the Fellows.
Eligibility
- Fluency in English, written and spoken;
- Active in civil society sector on Roma health, health-related rights or social issues for a minimum of two years professional or voluntary experience;
- University degree or equivalent experience;
- Excellent written and oral communication and strong analytical skills;
- Ability to work independently and at distance;
- Creative mindset, strong motivation and initiative.
Advantageous
- Experience of living and/or working in a Roma community;
- Seconded from a civil society organization based in central or eastern Europe;
- Previous experience in advocacy (influencing decision making at local, regional, national or European level);
- Masters level qualification in health or social sciences;
- Experience in a Roma community leadership role.
They encourage applications from countries with large Roma communities (e.g. Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, BiH, FYRO Macedonia, Turkey.)
(Please note, former EPHA-OSF Roma Health Fellows or ECD Fellows cannot benefit from this programme again.)
Application
- Please send your CV (maximum 2 pages, without any photo), your personal motivation letter (maximum 1 page) explaining your interest and a cover letter(written by the organisation where you are currently working elaborating on how your organization could benefit from this experience).
- If not currently employed please provide a reference letter from your past employer or from a university professor. It is of particular interest for us to see how you are already committed to work on Roma health issues and how this Fellowship could further your experience.
Send your application to [email protected] with “Roma Health Fellowship Program- application” in the subject line
For more information, visit EPHA-OSF Roma Health Fellowship.
