Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen
de

Deployment Programme

Building Bridges to German Minorities

ifa's Deployment Programme offers organisations of German minorities support in tasks and the opportunity to gain new experiences. Work stays in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe and/or in Central Asia last between one and five years. ifa cultural managers and editors work on selected projects at selected organisations and support them with their know-how.

The Deployment Programme aims at conveying a modern and vibrant image of Germany and strengthening local organisations in their efforts to close the cultural gaps between minority and majority.

Who can apply?

The programme is open to professionals from youth and cultural work, cultural management or journalism who want to support organisations of German minorities in Eastern Europe or the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). ifa is currently working with institutions, editorial offices and associations in the following countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and the Ukraine.

What does the funding include?

ifa pays the salaries of the employees as well as the cost of accommodation and a one-time moving allowance. A preparatory meeting in Germany, on-site employee meetings and business trips are also funded. Funds are also provided for projects that are jointly defined by employees and the organisation and which can be effectively changed or set up by sending staff from Germany within a limited period of time. During their placement, employees are employed by ifa. The employment is subject to social security contributions and begins on 1 September. The contracts are initially limited to one year; an extension of a maximum of five years is possible subject to funding.

What are the requirements?

  • A degree in language, culture or the humanities related to Central and Eastern Europe, journalism or media management, education or educational management is required.
  • Applicants may have experience in youth work, cultural work or cultural management or they may have practical journalistic experience.
  • Applicants possess proficiency in the German language.
  • Applicants possess knowledge of the host country, its culture and language.
  • Applicants possess knowledge of the situation of German minorities in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
  • The applicant is resilient, flexible and shows dedication and initiative.

The prerequisites are set according to the requirements of each organisation. The exact job profiles are listed in the individual job postings.

What does the work look like?

Tasks of the Cultural Manager

  • Support cultural, youth and education work.
  • Give impulses through creative project ideas.
  • Implement your project ideas and complete the other cultural management tasks.
  • Promote interethnic dialogue with special attention to youth.

Tasks of the Editorial Staff

  • Complete editorial work in German or bilingual editorial offices of German minority newspapers, radio and television stations.
  • Support marketing and sales.
  • Promote free reporting and interethnic dialogue.

Application Guidelines

Application in 3 steps

  1. Open the ifa application portal and select the job posting of your choice.
  2. Complete the application form and upload your documents. Since the application system cannot cache any input, all documents should be ready to upload at the start of the application.
  3. Submit the completed application online via the application portal.

Those interested can only apply to the vacancies advertised. Incomplete applications, applications sent by email, applications submitted after the deadline or unsolicited applications will not be considered.

What application documents are required?

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letter of motivation
  • University transcripts

Application deadlines

The call for applications is usually made between April and July for placement in September of the same year.

Applying as a host institution

German minority organisations can apply to the Deployment Programme as host institutions. The prerequisite is that the respective institution has the necessary infrastructure and can define clear objectives for the temporary cooperation. The long-term placement of personnel or the assumption of permanent tasks (line functions) are not supported. Interested organisations may contact ifa by email at entsendung(at)ifa.de.

German Minorities

Minorities can mediate between cultures and provide impulses for the coexistence of different population groups – provided that the minorities are socially recognised, have a secure space to assert themselves and have access to appealing programmes. For this reason, they must be well positioned both institutionally and personally. The programmes for German Minorities support German minorities in Eastern Europe and in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States in their role as civil society actors and bridge-builders. They thus promote a multifaceted, current and realistic image of Germany, contributing to the process of European integration and cultural relations within Europe and beyond.

Contact

Margarete Walo

Charlottenplatz 17
D-70173 Stuttgart

Telephone: +49.711.2225.117
Email: entsendung(at)ifa.de
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