European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (Berlin) seeks Executive Director

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), a joint initiative of the Alliance for the European Roma Institute, the Council of Europe, and the Open Society Foundations, has announced it is seeking its first Executive Director. ERIAC will be a foundation registered under German law and based in Berlin.

The Institute's mission is to increase Romani self-esteem and reduce prejudice against Romani people by promoting Romani art, culture, history and media. Its founding principles include Romani individuals and organizations contributing to the Institute's activities.

During the first three years of the Executive Director's tenure, the director will guide the process of building up the Institute and will work closely with the other two governing bodies of the organization, the Academy (Barvalipe), which sets the Institute's agenda, and the Board of Trustees (Pakiv), which is the founder. Candidates for the position should have a record of accomplishment when it comes to financial management and fundraising, implementation of arts and culture projects, and strategic planning, as well as broad experience in the field of Roma art and networking.

The director is expected to oversee the Institute's budget and to ensure that it will be sufficient to take advantage of opportunities to meet the organization's strategic objectives. Maintaining communications with the other governing bodies and reporting to the Board of Trustees are among the responsibilities of the position.

ERIAC envisions the ideal candidate as holding a postgraduate degree, preferably in arts/culture, and as having undergone additional training in organizational development. The candidate should be aware of both current and historical events and trends in Roma arts and culture at all levels, should be fluent in the use of social media, and should have a proven ability to manage her or his own professional development.

Applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, color, religion, belief, or sexual orientation are welcome, and candidates of self-declared Roma origin are particularly encouraged to apply. The salary and employment conditions will be established by the Board of Trustees and will be commensurate with candidate's skills and experience.

ERIAC is expected to be operational by October/November 2016. The successful candidate will be subject to a one-year probationary period.

Those interested in applying should send the following in English to the email address eriac.apply@gmail.com by 31 August 2016:
 
·         Up-to-date professional biography;

·         Letter of motivation (500 words);

·         A concept note of 1500 words outlining the applicant’s vision of the Institute’s priorities and key objectives for the first year.