Christine Sudbrock – Page 29

Call for a financial manager

ERGO

Call for financial manager – EXTENDED DEADLINE 15 JANUARY

ERGO Network is contracting a financial manager to be responsible for the accounting, tax system, right of the legal entity and human resources in the ERGO Network office in Brussels starting from 2019

ERGO Network

ERGO Network (www.ergonetwork.org) brings together 28 members from across Europe and supports organisations with a common perspective on Roma grassroots empowerment and equal citizenship to challenge stereotypes and combat stigmatization. We mobilize and connect organisations and individuals that share and express our values – active citizenship, shared responsibility, and passion – to strengthen and empower Roma civil society involvement in decision-making at local, national and European level and to address existing shortcomings of policies targeted at Roma.

ERGO Network is a Netherlands-based organisation – Stichting – with its branch based in Belgium.

Currently we are supported by DG Employment through a Partnership Framework Agreement and we are partners in several projects. Our annual budget is approximately 500.000 Euro.

Role of the expert

We are searching for a financial manager to be responsible for the accounting, tax system, right of the legal entity and human resources which cover the work of the organisation. ERGO Network runs an Annual Work Programme ‘Roma Included in Social Europe’ funded by DG Employment, is a partner in a project funded by DG Near under the IPA programme and a pilot project of the DG Justice, among others.

Specifically, the expert is expected to fulfil the following tasks:

Financial tasks:

Bookkeeping outgoing and incoming invoices into the system (accountancy software) using analytic departments
Arranging payments by using ERGO’s two bank accounts (one Dutch and one Belgian)
Preparing outgoing invoices to donors, members and other clients
Quarterly reporting
Financial reporting to donors
Preparation of annual budget
Financial forecasts (end of year forecast)
Preparation of financial report and budget to the board
Assisting project officer in preparation of budget and financial reports
Liaising with the external auditors and accountants in the Netherlands
Liaising with donors (EU Commission and Foundations)
Fulfilling obligations for the Belgian VAT (franchise régime) and the Belgian tax administration

Human resources

Liaising with the Belgian payroll company (Partena)
Preparing contracts and identification “fiches” for new members of the staff
Be the first contact point for staff for obligations/rights regarding Belgian labour law
Liaising with the company responsible for medical checks (Mensura)
Liaising with the staff insurance company
Sending monthly staff presence report to the payroll company
Order luncheon vouchers on a monthly basis according to presence
Collect staff timesheets
Arrange for work permits when needed by staff from outside the EU

Profile:

Excellent knowledge of financial management and legal background in Belgium
Good command of English
Ability to work independently and at the same time coordinate regularly with the ERGO team and the member organisations
Educated to Bachelor degree level or similar (e.g. accountancy, financial management or other relevant degree)

Conditions

Contract and budget: The expert will be subcontracted to a role of financial manager in the ERGO Network Brussels based office. The expert has no rights vis-à-vis the European Commission.

The expert shall be paid for the execution of the activities and services a fee of maximum 23,500 EUR, all taxes and VAT included.

Application procedure

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following documents:

CV
Proposed operations and services

We will select the expert according to the principle “Value for money”. Please send your application to info@ergonetwork.org, indicating in the subject of the email “Application Financial Manager” by 15th^d January 2019, 23:59 CET.

A detailed organisation overview of financial and legal operations of ERGO Network can be provided upon request.

For further questions, please contact Gabriela Hrabanova (g.hrabanova@ergonetwork.org)

Annual Members Meeting Tirana, December 8 –12 2018

The ERGO Network 2018 Annual Members Meeting took place on 10-11 December in Tirana to consult members on the update of programmes and initiatives and to enable exchange of experiences and information. In addition the participants discussed the future of ERGO Network and a possible formalization as an association.

During the 1^st day we updated the members about current and future projects and initiatives of ERGO Network and discussed advocacy priorities of ERGO members.

The 2^nd day opened with a breakfast with Marta Garcia Fidalgo,adviser for the coordination of Roma policy at DG NEAR. The breakfast was followed by a video meeting with Soraya Post MEP, the new co-chair of ERGO Network.

Furthermore ERGO member Andras Nun from Autonomia Foundation introduced one of the highlights that we developed in 2018: the transparency and accountability criteria and a board game that supports civil society organisations to implement them.

Then, after reminding ourselves of the 10-years history of ERGO Network and reflecting on the challenges and successes of the organisation, ERGO members discussed the future of the network and a possible formalization as an association under Belgian law.

Moreover they had the opportunity to join working groups that will support ERGO’s work in 2019.

The 2018 Annual Member Meeting ended with a birthday party. The staff of Roma Active Albania prepared an amazing night for the 10 years celebration of ERGO Network. We would like to thank them not only for the party, but for all their help in the preparation and implementation of the Annual Member Meeting!

Bachtalo Nevo Bers

ERGO is looking for a volunteer

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Call for Solidarity Corps volunteer in ERGO Network

ERGO Network is looking for an enthusiastic and active young Roma who would like to join our office team in Brussels for 11 months in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps.

When: February to December 2019

Where: ERGO Network office in Brussels, Belgium

Who: Young Roma professional between 18 and 30

EXTENDED Deadline for applications: 13 January 2019

During the 11 months in ERGO, you will learn about international advocacy, help us organise international meetings and events and get actively involved in Roma activism and international Roma networks in Brussels.

Your main tasks will be:

Communication and visibility: contribute to the update of the ERGO Network and RomaReact websites and social media channels; development of creative approaches and publicity work to promote our activities and mission and a positive image of Roma.

Researching and reporting: Assisting ERGO’s research work e.g. on cases of inequality and antigypsyism all over Europe.

Advocacy and policy: Support ERGO staff in EU advocacy work on poverty reduction, social inclusion and antigypsyism; attend debates, hearings and meetings with other stakeholders to challenge stereotypes and racism, build partnership with Roma and non-Roma organisations from Belgium and other European countries.

Meetings and seminars: Assist in the organisation of meetings, events and international seminars of ERGO Network and its partners, e.g. our Advocacy Academy, Annual Members Meeting etc.

Your profile:

Young Roma between 18 and 30 living in an EU member state or in Macedonia or Turkey
Good English language skills, both oral and written
Computer literacy (experience with Microsoft office package and social media)
High motivation to learn more about Roma activism and advocacy work and to contribute to a small but very active European NGO
Previous involvement in Roma or (pro) Roma NGOs will be considered an advantage
Reliable, well organised and with attention to detail

You will work about 38 hours per week, including your language course. Working hours will be from Monday to Friday between 9:00 – 17:00. However, working hours can be adapted to your needs and the activities you will be involved in.

We aim to support young people who are enthusiastic about our cause and want to gain experiences that can be later transferred to national or local NGOs. We especially welcome applications from people who are motivated to challenge stereotypes, antigypsyism and racism and who show an open attitude for a unique learning and life experience, as well as a volunteer spirit of creativity, initiative, responsibility and independence.

We offer:

An allowance of 1049 Euro that includes money for accommodation, meals, local transport, language course and pocket money
Travel costs to Brussels (a lump sum depending on the distance to Brussels)
Complementary health insurance
On-arrival training with other Solidarity Corps volunteers, and lots of learning and development opportunities with ERGO Network and our partners
An exciting and unforgettable experience, working for an international organisation in an international city!

How to apply:

Please send your motivation letter (1 page) and CV (max 2 pages) latest by 13^th January 2019 to info@ergonetwork.org.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

You can download the call for applications here.

Christine Sudbrock t: +32 2 89 31 045 | e: info@ergonetwork.org

Roma inclusion through local partnerships

On 3 December 2018, ERGO Network concluded the first year of its 4-year work programme RIISE (Roma Included in Social Europe) with a panel debate discussing how Roma inclusion can be fostered through meaningful local partnerships.

Emphasising the importance of Roma participation in all stages of decision-making, from the local to the European level, is one of the founding principles of ERGO Network, and many of our activities focus on building trust and partnerships between Roma communities and institutions.

During the panel debate, the speakers highlighted several angles, good examples and pitfalls of partnerships on local level.

The event was opened by introductory remarks from Romeo Franz, Member of the European Parliament for the Greens/EFA and Andor Urmos, Policy Analyst, Directorate General for Regional Policy, European Commission.

It was followed by a panel moderated by former ERGO Network director Ruus Dijksterhuis, who discussed with Dominique Be (DG Employment), Maaike Buyst (Eurocities), Dijana Pavlovic (Upre Roma Italy), Valeriu Capraru (National Federation of Local Action Groups Romania), Tobias Mayr (Congress of local and regional authorities of the Council of Europe) and Andrey Ivanov, Fundamental Rights Agency.

Dijana Pavlovic opened the panel by describing the local reality in Italy, where the level of antigypsyism also in local authorities is extreme. Building partnerships is difficult in a climate where Romani people always have to fear to lose their home during regular evictions.

Dominique Be presented the ROMACT programme, a joint initiative between the European Commission and the Council of Europe that seeks to assist mayors and municipal authorities to work together with local Roma communities to develop policies and public services that are inclusive of all, including Roma. Maaike Buyst spoke about several good practice examples of municipalities in Eurocities Roma inclusion working group, for example Ghent or Goteburg, including Roma mediators, Roma councils and other initiatives. Tobias Mayr presented the Declaration against anti-Gypsyism of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers.

Valeriu Capraru spoke about opportunities and challenges for Roma inclusion through Local Action Groups in the CLLD process. Andrey Ivanov, Head of Sector Roma and Migrant Integration, Technical Assistance & Capacity Building, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights: presented the new report of the Local engagement for Roma inclusion” (“LERI”) project.

It became clear that two issues are important: Partnerships need to be backed by proper funding and capacity-building of both Roma civil society and local authorities, and antigypsyism need to be tackled on all levels in order to ensure trust of Roma towards institutions.

The conference was closed by ERGO board member Adriatik Hasantari together with Szabolcs Schmidt, Head of Unit Non-discrimination and Roma coordination European Commission, DG Justice, and Marie-Anne Paraskevas, Senior Policy Expert, Social Affairs & Inclusion, European Commission, DG Employment.

After the debate, the participants were invited to celebrate the ten years anniversary of ERGO Network together with ERGO staff and members, going together through the history of ERGO empowering the Roma grassroots and bridging Roma realities with EU policy-making.