Open Society Foundation for Albania (OSFA)
We are hiring
Regional Coordinator Assistant

Open Society Foundation for Albania is looking for a new colleague!

We are launching a call for a Regional Coordinator Assistant to be based in Tirana, Albania with possibility of travelling in the region.

If you are interested in applying for the position and you fulfil all the criteria set out in the Terms of Reference, please send your application containing all necessary documents: Cover letter, CV and a minimum of two specific reference letters to this position, all in English, by email to info@osfa.al no later than 10 March 2022 by 17:00 Central European Time.

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

Position: Regional Coordinator Assistant
Type of appointment: Fixed term for one year with possibility of extension
Office: Open Society Foundation for Albania
Location: Tirana, Albania but with possibility of travelling in the region
Vacancy issued: 28 February 2022
Deadline for application: 10 March 2022, by 17:00 Central European Time.

Terms of reference for hiring a Regional Coordinator Assistant

Background
The Open Society Foundations is a global network of foundations and offices committed to local knowledge and national expertise that works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. The Open Society Foundation for Albania is a non-profit, independent, non-governmental, non-political organization, part of the Open Society Foundations network. For more information on the activity of OSFA, you may visit www.osfa.al.

OSFA has an excellent opportunity for someone who is a proven problem solver, quick learner, and passionate about tackling the critical problems and solutions associated with the European integration process and the regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. Whether you’re looking for a foot in the door in the non-profit community or looking to fill your day with multifaceted work that benefits our region, this could be the perfect position for you!

The Regional Coordinator Assistant will support the Regional Coordinator in its mission and decision making with integrity and compliance. OSFA is looking for a self-motivated problem solver, who is comfortable with engaging in the European integration and regional cooperation matters of Western Balkans learning new skills, doing research, and performing various administrative needs of the Regional Coordinator and for OSFA. The successful candidate will be someone who is just as motivated to keep Regional Coordinator’s calendar in order as he/she is to do critical research to support our regional projects.

The Assistant will work directly with the Regional Coordinator assisting with his duties. As part of that work, this position will involve additional special projects as needed by the organization’s leadership and would involve research, communications, organizing, and administrative tasks. Every day is different in this job and the right person for it is one who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is flexible, and is excited to contribute.

As a Regional Coordinator Assistant you will:

• Work closely with the Regional Coordinator and the National Foundations in the Western Balkans and the Regional Director for Europe, as well as contributes to regular connections to the OSF hub offices in Berlin, London and New York and the European advocacy office in Brussels. This may include providing advanced administrative support for travel and meeting support services, regional and general office support for the Regional Coordinator.
• Work closely with the Regional Coordinator and support him in coordinating, designing and overseeing implementation of regional projects, grant making or advocacy.
• Research and prepare documents for internal communications, mostly related to European integration, regional cooperation matters of Western Balkans, and economic empowerment and security of Roma, but other issues may include the digital transformation, equity and justice, democratic practice and expression, migration and demographic change, and just climate transition.
• Arranging, overseeing and attending visits of the Regional Coordinator in the region and prepare adequate materials for those visits.
• Coordinate and attend various meetings that as topics have Western Balkans and reporting to Regional Coordinator.
• Prepare speeches, briefing notes and talking points for the meetings and participation of the Regional Coordinator at regional and international events.
• Assist the Regional Coordinator in fulfilling reporting commitments such as drafting progress/narrative/analytical reports on the regional cooperation activities.
• Assist in development and implementation of strategic and working documents of the Reginal Coordinator.
• Handle other related tasks as directed by the Reginal Coordinator.

What we are looking for:

• Holds a university degree in political science, European integration, international relations, international economics, law or other subject of relevance for the position.
• In-depth knowledge of Western Balkans, regional cooperation in overall political as well as in relevant thematic areas, as well as other cross-regional issues will represent an advantage.
• A minimum of 3 years of post-graduate professional experience in political science, international relations or related area, preferably in an international environment and with knowledge of and experience in Western Balkan region.
• Possess advanced writing, research and analytical skills.
• Fluency in oral and written English. Knowledge of Western Balkans languages and other EU languages will be an asset.
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team in a multicultural environment.
• Advance computer literate.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and proactive problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to the Open Society Foundation’s values of diversity and inclusion.

Location / Contract
The holder of the position will be based in the OSFA’s office in Tirana. She/he could expect that up to 30% of her/his time may be spent on business related travel. She/he will receive an initial one-year employment contract with a trial period of three months and possibility of extension after the annual performance review.

Application Rules
If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter, CV and a minimum of two specific reference letters to this position, all in English, by 10 March 2022 by 17:00 Central European Time, via e-mail to info@osfa.al. We look forward to learning more about you.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection process is based on a written test and competency-based interview.

We aim to build an inclusive workforce that is reflective of the populations we support, and actively seek applications from those who are marginalized and underrepresented.