Join REF ROMANIA’S team as Sociological Research Coordinator
Job Title – Sociological Research Coordinator
Organization: Roma Education Fund Romania
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Position – Full time, office hours
About REF
Founded in 2005 by the World Bank and Open Society Foundations, the Roma Education Fund (REF) is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for Roma communities. Over nearly two decades, REF has driven systemic changes in education, promoted Roma participation, and established best practices for policy reform and program implementation. With an investment of over €120 million in diverse educational initiatives, REF has positively impacted more than 100,000 Roma individuals across 16 countries.
In 2023, REF adopted a new strategy, positioning education as a central tool for building resilient Roma communities. Our vision focuses on creating supportive environments that empower every child, youth, and parent to develop personal resilience in rapidly evolving societies. We aim to foster confidence, a sense of belonging, and active community participation, emphasizing education as a driver for growth and development. REF utilizes innovative education methods, digital technologies, and research to develop new and alternative education models that meet the demands of digital and green economies. We aim to scale up these models through robust public communications, partnerships, fundraising, and policy advocacy.
Position Summary:
REF Romania is seeking a dedicated and experienced individual to lead and manage sociological research projects. The ideal candidate will ensure that these projects are meticulously designed and executed, with a strong focus on social dynamics and human behavior. Utilizing cutting-edge analytical tools, the candidate will guide interventions to be firmly rooted in robust research and evidence, thereby avoiding inadequate evidence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Data Collection and Analysis | Leverage extensive experience in data collection to gather and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, providing insights that inform the team’s research and development efforts. This includes the ability to translate complex findings into clear and accessible reports by clearly articulating research objectives and methodologies, presenting data and analysis in a logical and coherent manner, drawing evidence-based conclusions and formulating practical recommendations, and adapting report style and content for various stakeholders.
- Survey Design and Implementation | Design and implement surveys, focus groups, and other data collection methods to gather information from target populations, ensuring the reliability and validity of the data.
- Social Impact Assessment | Evaluate the social impact of the team’s projects, identifying potential benefits and challenges, and suggesting ways to enhance positive outcomes.
- Coordination and Operational Oversight | Coordinate departmental operations by overseeing the planning and organization of meetings, workshops, and events; ensuring effective documentation and information flow; supporting budget monitoring and resource allocation in collaboration with relevant team members; and facilitating strategic communication and collaboration across departments to ensure alignment with project goals.
- Community Engagement | Foster community engagement by assisting in building and maintaining relationships with community partners and stakeholders and supporting efforts to ensure that our research and programs are responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in social sciences, human rights, education, or other related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in field research related to education, vulnerable groups, human rights etc.
- Demonstrated experience in program support and coordination.
- Strong data analysis and statistical skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- A strong commitment to social justice and equity.
- Strong understanding of ethical principles and practices in social science research.
- Experience in both securing funding through grant writing and effectively managing the implementation and reporting of funded projects will be considered a significant advantage.
We offer:
- Competitive salary;
- Professional development opportunities;
- Pleasant and collaborative work environment;
- Involvement in projects with real social impact.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter that demonstrates the above qualifications to aflorea@roma.education with the subject line Sociological Research Coordinator. In your cover letter, please highlight your experience and contribution working with vulnerable groups, within education projects, human rights and include also details about your data analysis skills.
Application Deadline: 23.04.2025 | 23:59 PM, EET
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. In particular, we welcome applications from individuals who identify as Roma, alumni of the Roma Education Fund education programs. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
We appreciate all applications; however, given the high number of applications, we will only be contacting those selected for an initial interview.
