Economic Inclusion Specialist

HIAS seeks an Economic Inclusion Specialist – (Private Sector Engagement) to develop and oversee HIAS’s economic inclusion strategy in relation to the private sector for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Romania. The programs developed in co-creation with private partners, local actors and communities would ensure forcibly displaced people can secure and enjoy rights to work, self-reliance and a decent standard of living. The Specialist will lead efforts to involve the private sector into HIAS’s Economic Inclusion programs and harness best practices to maximize the impact across Romania in both urban and rural communities. They will ensure that programs are market based, evidence-based, results-oriented, and fully accountable to a diversity of affected populations and use the models that work in other similar countries/ regions. The position will be a conduit for translating global standards and change initiatives to the field. Reporting to the Program Manager and working closely with HIAS Economic Inclusion technical team, all other team members, HIAS partners, local and national government, and academia.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Strategize CSR and private sector engagement to advocate for HIAS Economic Inclusion program portfolio in order to strategize on best options for program design in the respective context.
• Develop partnership agreements with private sector and regional and international key stakeholders for implementation of economic inclusion programs, particularly but not exclusively focusing on women´s empowerment, youth labor insertion, economic inclusion for LGBTIQ+ and for people with disabilities and both urban and rural environments.
• In co-creation with local partners from civil society, local and national government, the private sector, refugees and hosting communities, map, develop and monitor market and evidence-based economic inclusion programs in line with HIAS’ refugee rights impact framework
• Provide technical assistance to local partners on program design, implementation, follow up and M&E that promote the economic inclusion of refugees and other forcibly displaced populations, reducing dependency on charity, negative coping mechanisms, with a focus on savings and loans, business plan development, vocational training, language training and integration in the local labor market.
• Design and support the implementation of employer outreach strategies and engagement with corporate social responsibility partners, according to the agency standards.
• Ensure that programming reflects needs and protection priorities
• Design and coordinate research efforts, that include market assessments, feasibility studies and other tools to support evidence-based programs
• Provide capacity building through the development of Communities of Practice support and development of training materials
• Design and support set-up of self-reliance initiatives in emergency contexts, including cash-based interventions, with an understanding of gender and broader protection implications
• Regularly monitor and report on economic inclusion programming, identifying capacity gaps and designing appropriate interventions
• Work with M&E and communications staff to communicate the impact of regional economic inclusion programming, including to key donors and partners
• Contribute to HIAS’ advocacy to ensure public policy and legal frameworks that permit refugees the right work and access to markets and assets in host countries (including access to credit and markets, education and certification)
• Participate in national coordination working groups related to economic inclusion, Cash-based Initiatives and livelihoods.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate degree in relevant field: business development, marketing, advertising social entrepreneurship etc.
• 4+ years designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating CSR programs in companies, marketing or similar activities; a strong interest in engagement and networking for synergies between the private sector and the humanitarian sector.
• Preferably a good network among private sector actors in Romania and Central and Eastern Europe.
• Some affinity with economic inclusion programs for vulnerable population and an interest in working with a refugee, forced displacement, or humanitarian context
• 1+ years of field-based experience in Eastern Europe
• Experience in developing and implementing economic inclusion programs with a gender lens.
• Added value: Successful experience designing and implementing innovative economic inclusion programming, including in areas of income generation, group savings and loans, vocational skills training, seed funding, employer outreach and engagement with corporate social responsibility partners
• Collaborative, flexible team player with the ability to think creatively, logically and critically about solutions to gaps in economic inclusion programming
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, including the ability to regularly communicate with, motivate and support field-based staff as well as effectively communicate key program achievements and operational challenges
• Desired fluency in Romanian. Ability to speak Arabic, Ukrainian or Russian is a plus.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required
• Ability to travel up to up to 25%
• Have the right to work in Romania

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

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 people—a 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 inteity, 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)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice

• Justicia
• Justice
• (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy

• Empatía
• Empathie (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership

• Compañerismo
• Coopération
• (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage

• Coraje
• Courage
• (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience

• Resiliencia
• Résilience
• (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. 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.

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.