POSITION SUMMARY:
HIAS seeks a consultant to update its Honduras Labor Market and Capacity Assessment with the aim of identifying sustainable economic pathways for the integration of refugees and migrants in the local labor market in a way of contribution for host countries economic growth in Honduras.
BACKGROUND:
HIAS is a global Jewish nonprofit organization working across five continents to ensure that refugees and displaced persons are protected. Guided by our values and history, we help refugees rebuild their lives in safety and security and advocate ensuring that all displaced people are treated with dignity.
Organizationally, HIAS is guided by its Refugee Rights Framework. This rights-based approach, based on international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practice, provides a programming framework for HIAS focus on refugee protection. This framework prioritizes programming impact that ensures forcibly displaced people realize their potential and become contributors to society, with this impact being achieved through the realization of legal and civil rights and social and economic rights, including through: 1) the right to protection from harm, violence and discrimination; 2) the right to recovery from the shock of displacement; and 3) the right to economic self-reliance and inclusion.
According to UNHCRS latest figures, around one hundred and three million refugees have been forced to leave their homes; of which 74% are hosted in developing countries. Refugees and host communities find themselves facing extreme poverty and scarce economic opportunities. This added to the fact that most of refugees around the world live in protracted situation for five years or more the need of finding long-term solutions is a priority.
While refugees specific needs vary, the most common gaps observed throughout HIAS operations in the world include the inability to cover basic needs, education and health services, and the inability to earn a sustainable income. Therefore, the overall goal of HIAS Economic Inclusion programming is for forcibly displaced people and vulnerable migrants to improve their access to dignified and sustainable livelihoods that promote self-reliance. This goal is supported by the following outcomes: (1) Individuals and communities increase livelihoods assets to improve their inclusion in the local economies; (2) Individuals and communities participate in gainful employment and livelihoods opportunities; and (3) Individuals and families have access to sufficient income to sustain basic needs and overcome shocks.
To this effect, HIAS will update its Labor Market and Capacity Assessments with the aim of identifying sustainable economic pathways for the integration of refugees and migrants in the local labor market in a way of contribution for host countries economic growth in the Latin America & Caribbean region. The assessments will include a mapping of the skills of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and potential opportunities in the labor market, specifically engaging them with the private sector and boosting their self-employment opportunities, with a special focus on economic recovery. The assessments will also help HIAS improve and prioritize their interventions when promoting self-reliance and livelihoods for refugees and will recommend concrete actions in the short, medium and long term. It is important to mention that this research will have the age, diversity and gender focus.
Finally, the assessments will be used as a source to advocate with different stakeholders, including national governments and private sector actors, to start thinking on plans and programs that respond to the market needs settled in this evidence-based research.
OBJECTIVES:
To identify the socio-economic profile of the refugee, asylum seeker and vulnerable migrant population hereon referred to as VRM.
To identify the labor market characteristics within the VRMs profile in order to acknowledge the restrictions and opportunities for potential employment.
To analyze and identify the needs and areas of technical and vocational training needed to enhance labor inclusion opportunities including certifications and formal training for VRM, with the identification of training institutions and/ or potential partners to carry out recommended vocational training and certification.
To explore the main national economic growth guidelines based on the sectors and subsectors that contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and their match with the labor opportunities for VRM.
To explore the availability of financial services, including bank accounts and loans for VRM, and possible barriers to access (including lack of regularization).
To identify main market niches where VRM might have an opportunity to be employed by the private sector, as well as profiles required by areas in which opportunities for the target population are available.
To identify at least five economic sectors where VRM can successfully start up a business that will be profitable, scalable and sustainable. These sectors can promote individual or community entrepreneurship ideas.
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To determine the main barriers and challenges that all stakeholders identify in order to improve the economic inclusion of VRM, especially the ones pertaining to access and sustainability in their attempt to generate income.
To identify sectors in which VRM could become part of big companies supply line.
To recommend interventions that are market based, gender approach, adapted to the COVID-19 context and highly requested by the stakeholders that are involved in the economic inclusion of VRM.
To determine an advocacy strategy to facilitate access to wage employment opportunities for VRM with different stakeholders, government, civil society, academia and the private sector.
To identify the languages that are spoken by VRM and language learning needs.
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To identify policies in self and wage employment implemented by governments in each country.
METHDOLOGIES:
Researchers will coordinate with HIAS and ensure the data collection of the population of concern in each country can extract information about their personal and professional profiles and that it will contribute to set up common profiles of beneficiaries who arrive in each country.
Using existing publications and interviewing key stakeholders, researchers will be able to identify gaps and needs in each countrys labor market. Special focus will be given to strategic sectors identified by national governments for sustainable growth.
PROCESS:
Phase 1: Plan of Action
Based on the TOR, the consultant will draw up a Plan of Action to be sent to the Economic Inclusion Director and Technical Advisor. The Plan of Action will include the proposed research team and its qualifications, research methodology, a broad timeframe for the research consecution, and a budget use description. It will also explain how the involvement of HIAS experts and relevant stakeholders will be achieved. The Plan of Action will include a clear description of the different stakeholders to be analyzed. Once the consultant and HIAS have mutually agreed to the Plan of Action, the following next steps will take place:
Phase 2: Research Development
The research will be carried out based on the Plan of Action, and the consultant will have weekly check-in meetings with the Economic Inclusion Director/Regional Technical Advisor. The consultant will decide on the use of primary or secondary sources of information, prioritizing the accuracy and usability of it. The consultant will also deliver a report presenting the results, information gaps and the proposed approach to fill these information gaps. The Regional Technical Advisor will support the consultant in terms of identifying key stakeholders to be interviewed and scheduling these meetings.
Phase 3: Draft Final Study Report
The consultant/ research institution will deliver and present the draft report covering the key findings and results to HIAS staff, and other relevant stakeholders. Feedback on the draft report will be incorporated into a final version of the report.
Phase 4: Dissemination and presentation of the Study
The final labor market studies and capacity assessments will be delivered internally to HIAS designated Staff and then it will be circulated to key stakeholders as identified by HIAS.
DELIVERABLES:
A summarized report, in English (must include items detailed on deliverable 2).
Please note that the consultant/consulting team will have a period of 5 weeks to present the first deliverable (short document in English), starting from the first session with the HIAS technical team. The other deadlines will be agreed upon in this session
A report in Spanish detailing:
Labor profile of the population of concern in each host country, including where possible an analysis of their official academic documentation.
There must be special attention to the labor profile of women, LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, native populations and young and elderly people, identifying opportunities of economic integration and challenges for these groups.
Current labor market needs and opportunities identified in each host country, with special emphasis in the sectors that can absorb, due to the lack of local supply, the VRM labor force (wage and self-employment), as well as strategies to achieve it.
Identification and analysis of productive sectors or services that offer more development of growth opportunities for VRM.
Analysis of the different socio-economic groups within the refugee and migrant community in order to determine their specific needs and expectations related to their economic inclusion.
Analysis of the opportunities for VRM to be employed by the private sector: a) perceptions of companies related to hiring VRM, b) characteristics of the contracts and benefits offered to VRM c) the possibilities to grow inside the companies.
Analysis of the professions, technical careers and jobs of VRM, which are most in demand in local markets.
Analysis of VRMs skills and potential matching to labor needs in each host country
Analysis of VRMs language skills (Spanish, English, French) and potential to be included in international labor mobility programs.
List of potential pathways for legal and economic integration of VRM into the labor market in each host country.
List of potential partners providing technical capacity building and certification facilitating economic integration.
List of potential partners from the financial sector that could provide services VRM and the requirements for accessing those services.
(Video) What About Health?Analysis of the economic impact of formal inclusion of VRM into the host countrys labor market.
Analysis of the formalization opportunities in the market for VRM, as well as the barriers to achieving it.
Analysis of opportunities, risks and challenges for the economic inclusion of VRM in terms of wage and self-employment.
Analysis of the impact of the economic, political and sanitary crisis in the economic inclusion of VRM in the public and private sector, as well as the current risks and challenges related to the public policies and legislation.
A powerpoint presentation summarizing the main findings, in English and Spanish.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:
Masters degree in Economics, Development Economics, Labor Economics or related is preferred (extensive experience with labor market assessments will also be considered)
Experience in conducting economic assessments.
Experience working on economic integration of refugees, migrants, or vulnerable groups.
English and Spanish fluency is required.
Ability to work independently.
Good communication skills and culturally sensitive.
ABOUT US:
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish peoplea history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.
VISION:
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.
MISSION:
Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.
VALUES:
Welcome Acogimiento Hospitalité Hachnasat Orchim
WeWelcomethe Stranger
Justice Justicia Justice Tzedek
We PursueJustice
Empathy Empatía Empathie Chesed
We Approach our Clients withEmpathy
Partnership Compañerismo Coopération Chevruta
We Believe in Changing the World throughPartnership
Courage Coraje Courage Ometz
We Act withCourageto Build a Better World
Resilience Resiliencia Résilience Ruach
We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating ourResilience
DIVERSITY:
HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.
SAFEGUARDING:
HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.