We are hiring Finance Manager

Position: Finance Manager

ERGO Network is hiring a new Finance Manager to join its team in Brussels.

ERGO Network

ERGO Network (www.ergonetwork.org) brings together over 30 members from across Europe and supports organisations with a common perspective on Roma grassroots empowerment and equal citizenship to challenge stereotypes and combat stigmatisation. We mobilise and connect organisations and individuals that share and express our values – active citizenship, shared responsibility, and passion- to strengthen Roma civil society’s involvement in decision-making at local, national, and European levels and address existing shortcomings of policies targeted at Roma.

Responsibilities

Financial management :

Checking incoming invoices for correctness and liaising with Senior Programme Manager for approval and analytical codes.
Recording and bookkeeping of outgoing and incoming invoices into the system (accountancy software) using analytical departments.
Arranging payments upon approval of the Director.
Arranging travel reimbursements for staff and event participants.
Managing the cashbox.
Preparing contracts and outgoing invoices based on instructions from the Director and Senior Programme Manager and following up on payment of invoices.
Quarterly expenditure and income reporting and financial forecasts to Director, Senior Programme Manager and Treasurer of the Board.
Preparation of financial documents for presentation to the Board, General Assembly and for the annual report.
Financial reporting to donors in cooperation with the Senior Programme Manager.
Contribution to the preparation of the annual budget.
Timely preparation of audits and liaising with external auditors for project and statutory audits.
Fulfilling obligations for the Belgian VAT and tax administration.
Liaising with the bank (KBC Brussels).

Human resources:

Liaising with the Belgian payroll company (Partena), including sending monthly staff presence report to the payroll company.
Preparing employment contracts in correspondence with Belgian law.
Be the first contact point for staff for obligations/rights regarding Belgian labour law and introduce new staff members to relevant Belgian rules and regulations.
Preparing Dimona identification “fiches” for new members of the staff.
Liaising with the company responsible for medical checks (Mensura).
Liaising with the insurance companies.
Order luncheon vouchers on a monthly basis according to presence.
Arrange for work permits when needed by staff from outside the EU.

Profile

Essential:

Experience in bookkeeping, accounting and budget management
Experience in financial planning and analysis
Experience in Belgian payroll management
Excellent knowledge of Belgian regulations related to financial and human resources management
Excellent command of English and French
Ability to work independently and at the same time coordinate regularly with the ERGO team and member organisations
Good eye for and attention to detail

Desirable:

Experience working in the NGO sector
Experience with EU grants
Experience working in a multicultural environment
Understanding of racism

Conditions:

Undetermined contract on 80% basis (4 days a week or 5 days with 6 hours per day)
Work location: Brussels (at least 2 days a week presence in the office)
Starting date: As soon as possible

We offer:

Salary between 3800 and 4500 € per month based on experience
13th-month salary
Holiday allowance
Luncheon vouchers (8€ per working day)
Transport allowance (49€ per month)
Telework allowance (129€)
DKV hospitalisation insurance
Additional 7 days of holidays per year
An organisation committed to values of democracy, fairness, integrity and sustainability.
A friendly and respectful work environment.

Application procedure

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the application form to admin@ergonetwork.org by 4 May 2025, 23:59 CET, indicating in the subject of the email “Application Finance Manager”. This email address can also be used for further information and questions. It is not necessary to submit a CV or motivation letter in addition to the application form.

open the application form

Successful candidates will be invited for interviews in the week of 12 May 2025. Interviews can be taken in person or online. We are not able to reimburse travel costs to attend the interview.

ERGO is an equal opportunities employer. We respect our employees’ private lives, including where they take care roles. We strive to be an inclusive organisation and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.

REVISE AND ADVOCATE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NATIONAL ROMA INTEGRATION STRATEGY

This is an article presenting the project prepared by RomanoNet, Czechia, given the subgrants under the ERGO sub-granting scheme 2024, funded by the EU

The “Revise and Advocate for Improvements to the National Roma Integration Strategy” (NRIS) project, coordinated by RomanoNet, was a successful initiative conducted through a comprehensive and inclusive approach. It involved structured monthly meetings, ad-hoc working groups, and stakeholder consultations aimed at gathering input and refining the NRIS, with a strong emphasis on Roma inclusion and combating antigypsyism. Key activities included the development of policy briefs, targeted consultations, and strategic events that actively engaged Roma communities, civil society organisations, and policymakers at all levels.

The project focused on evidence-based revisions of the National Roma Integration Strategy (NRIS) through a series of dedicated round tables. These meetings tackled key areas of the strategy, including education, employment, housing, health, and the fight against antigypsyism. Each round table brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, ensuring that the revised strategy truly reflected the real needs and priorities of Roma communities. The report was written together with a government office.

The culmination of these efforts was the celebration of Roma Day on 17 December 2024, organised in partnership with the Office of the Roma Commissioner. This event provided a platform to present the updated strategy components and officially launch the Charter Against Antigypsyism, reinforcing a collective commitment to combating discrimination and advancing Roma inclusion.

Significant Accomplishments

One of the significant accomplishments of the project was the comprehensive revision of all major chapters of the National Roma Integration Strategy (NRIS). The project had a strong advocacy impact, as recommendations were presented to policymakers to strengthen the NRIS. A key focus was on tackling antigypsyism and enhancing Roma inclusion, ensuring that these critical issues were recognised and addressed at a strategic level.

Stakeholder engagement played a crucial role in the project’s success. By facilitating active participation from a diverse range of stakeholders, the initiative encouraged cross-sector collaboration, bringing together policymakers, civil society organisations, and Roma representatives.

A major milestone was the celebration of Roma Day, during which the Charter Against Antigypsyism was launched. The project prioritised capacity building within the Roma civil society. A series of workshops, consultations, and policy discussions were organised, equipping Roma organisations and activists with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate. RomanoNet ensured that advocacy efforts will continue, promoting policy changes based on the revised NRIS and Roma Day initiatives. By building on these achievements, RomanoNet aims to drive lasting change and strengthen Roma inclusion in Czechia.

For more information in Czech, click the buttons below.

I. Předkládací zpráva

II. návrh usnesení.

III. Revidovaná Strategie rovnosti, začlenění a participace Romů (Strategie romské integrace) 2021–2030

If you have any further questions about this application, drop us an email at info@ergonetwork.org.

Culture in the Slums

This is an article presenting the project prepared by Nevo Parudimos, Romania, given the subgrants under the ERGO sub-granting scheme 2024, funded by the EU

Roma communities continue to face persistent challenges of social exclusion, discrimination, and limited access to primary services. In Reșița and its surrounding areas, these struggles remain visible in daily life, from barriers to employment and education to inadequate housing and systemic neglect. In response, Nevo Parudimos conducted a series of advocacy and community engagement activities to address these pressing issues. The initiative included three community meetings, consultations with local authorities, and cultural events promoting intercultural understanding.

Strengthening Communities

In May, community meetings were organised in Muncitoresc, Dealu Mare, and Calnic, providing a space for Roma residents to discuss their concerns. The community has been facing several challenges, including a lack of access to water, and despite promises from the municipality, there are still no housing documents. Young people are struggling to find work, and although NGOs and the municipality have collected information from residents and promised projects, nothing has moved forward.

The children are not able to attend school due to its distance, and the school mediator has shown no interest as he/she is not visiting children in the communities. These conditions will possibly improve once the nearby school, currently under renovation, is completed. On top of it, the family doctor sometimes refuses treatment because people don’t have legal insurance, and when the spring floods threatened the area, the municipality didn’t take any action.

To address these issues, Nevo Parudimos arranged a meeting with the water company to sort out the water supply and planned a meeting with the municipality to address the problems their community is facing. They aim to ensure these issues are included in the local Roma action plan. Furthermore, they intend to make everyone informed about any job opportunities and to make sure that mediators are present in the lives of children in their communities.

Municipality Meeting – Building a Better Community Together

During their visit to the municipality, Nevo Parudimos reviewed the local action plan for Roma in Reșița alongside community representatives, civil society, and public institutions, as well as the mayor and deputy mayor. Updates on various projects were provided by the Local Action Group (LAG). All projects were completed by the end of 2024, except for social housing initiatives, which are expected to be finalised in 2025.

Representatives from civil society organisations, including Pro Vitam, Nevo Parudimos, and Humanitas Pro Deo, called on the municipality to pressure the water and public transport companies to ensure all citizens have reliable access to water and essential services.

Culture in the Slums

The municipality and community meetings, along with the Ethnicities Festival, represent the main efforts to improve the lives of Roma communities in Reșița. While meetings focused on concrete policy discussions, the festival used culture as a powerful tool for advocacy and change. By engaging with local authorities, civil society, and public institutions, Nevo Parudimos and its partners worked to ensure that Roma voices were heard in decision-making processes.

The festival provided a platform to celebrate Roma identity, challenge stereotypes, and foster a sense of unity. The Ethnicities Festival was held last year under the theme “Culture in the Slum,” in Banat.

Hosted in the Măgura neighbourhood of Bocșa and along Calea Caransebeșului în Reșița, the festival was organised by the Nevo Parudimos Association, in collaboration with the Caraș-Severin County Centre for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture, the city halls of Reșița and Bocșa, and the Caraș-Severin County Council.

The event was dedicated to Roma culture, showcasing a vibrant set of folklore representing the diverse ethnic groups that are living in the Banat region. Part of the “Culture in the Slum” project, the festival was funded by the European Commission through the ERGO Network to highlight the real issues faced by Roma communities in Reșița, bringing them to the attention of local authorities. Its goal was also to shift the general perception of the Roma community, using culture to showcase the unique aspects of the Roma minority.

Article about The Festival

If you have any further questions about this application, drop us an email at info@ergonetwork.org.

27th of January 2025 – Holocaust Remembrance Day

Why Remembrance Matters?

On the 27^th of January, the world pauses to remember one of the darkest chapters in human history – the Holocaust. This date marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps, thus revealing the horrors of the Nazi genocide that took the lives of hundreds of people, including Roma.

Although the Nazis and their collaborators murdered more than a quarter of Europe’s Roma, little attention has been paid to the atrocities committed during this period towards the Roma community. There is greater awareness of the Roma Genocide, but the struggle for recognition continues. Thus, for us, remembrance is not only about looking back and not forgetting about the painful past, but it is also a call to action.

The Holocaust is not only an act committed by the Nazis because of the racial ideology of having one race – the Aryan race – but it is a crime against humanity that we all should make sure will never be repeated in human history. As the survivors of this genocide pass on, the responsibility to remember and educate falls on us. But are we doing enough?

With the rise of antigypsyism, there is a high risk of hate crimes, which often fuels dangerous narratives and acts against the Roma – who continue to be discriminated against, negatively framed and treated, excluded and denied access to rights, resources, and services. These are all part of a dehumanising process that, if left unaddressed, can escalate to extreme acts.

Then, why does remembrance matter today? Besides just honouring and acknowledging the past, Holocaust remembrance matters to prevent future atrocities – especially as we live in a world where warning signs of genocide, discrimination, and dehumanisation are present in many countries.

Today, we remember to honour the survivors and victims and to ensure that their stories are never forgotten, to defend the truth in an era of rising misinformation, to fight against antigypsyism in all forms, and to educate and prepare future generations to prevent such actions.

This Holocaust Remembrance Day, let’s not just light candles and reflect. Let’s act by advocating for including the Roma Genocide in school curricula, by challenging hate narratives, by fighting against antigypsyism, and by protecting the rights and dignity of the Roma who have been pushed for centuries to the margins. “Never Again” is not just a phrase but a commitment to fight for recognition, remembrance, reparation and reconciliation –today and every day.

Written by Stelina Dungaj

Welcome to our new team member Annamaria Psenkova

We welcome a new team member, Annamária Pšenková, who has joined as a Junior Communication Officer.

Within the ERGO Secretariat, Annamária has the following responsibilities:

Digital Communications and Content Management: Manage ERGO Network’s digital communications channels daily, developing and designing relevant and interesting content. Update and maintain ERGO Network’s websites and Support digital communications directly from events, e.g., through live streaming.
Campaigns, Advocacy, and Dissemination: Support the communications and campaigns manager in delivering on campaign and advocacy objectives. Monitor information relevant to ERGO Network’s priorities and network and ensure its rapid distribution.
Publications and Mailing: Manage ERGO Network’s quarterly newsletter. Ensure that ERGO Network’s mailing lists are maintained and updated in coordination with colleagues.
Event and Media Support: Support the administrative team of ERGO Network in event preparation at peak times. Support the communications and campaigns manager in drafting press releases and other relevant national and international media materials.

Read more about Annamária in her own words:

Hi, I’m Annamária Pšenková, and I am happy to rejoin the ERGO Network, this time as a Junior Communication Officer. My role will involve managing ERGO Network’s digital communication channels and newsletter, maintaining the website, supporting campaigns, advocacy efforts, and many more.

I am originally from Slovakia but am currently based in the Netherlands. My academic journey began at BISLA College, where I studied Political Science. After completing my studies, I moved to Brussels for an internship with the ERGO Network, which strengthened my passion for advocating for marginalised communities and media and communication.

Before returning to ERGO, I worked as a Rights Expert with the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent, focusing on critical social justice issues affecting the Roma community worldwide. After a year-long break, I’m thrilled to be back with ERGO Network.

I look forward to contributing to ERGO’s mission and communicating the values, ideas, and projects of the ERGO Network Secretariat.

Feel free to reach out to me a.psenkova@ergonetwork.org