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Consultant, Labour Market Assessment, HIAS Moldova

• Department: HIAS Moldova

Location: Chisinau, Chisinau

HIAS Moldova is looking for a consultant / research institutionto carry out a labor market analysis in the Republic of Moldova, to inform the design of an economic inclusion project for asylum seekers and refugees from Ukraine. The study will have the aim of finding relevant labor opportunities for wage employment and self-employment for asylum seekers, refugees, and local vulnerable social groups. This research will also help to identify the main challenges and gaps that asylum seekers, refugees and other stakeholders face when trying to include refugees in economic activities.

Background

HIAS is a global Jewish nonprofit organization working across the globe to ensure that refugees and displaced persons are protected. Guided by our values and history, we help refugees to rebuild their lives in safety and security and advocate to ensure that all displaced people are treated with dignity.

HIAS's office in Moldova has been established in 2022. Since then, its main activity is a support offered for ongoing programs. The Economic Inclusion Program proposed by HIAS, with a gender focus, encourages a rapid generation of income, reducing protection risks to which families would be exposed if they did not have alternatives to cover their basic needs. Through the implementation of shared value strategies, HIAS intends to promote collaboration with the private sector towards the inclusion of refugees and migrants in values chains.

Between 24 February and September 2022, over 600,000 refugees arrived in Moldova from Ukraine. While many move on to the European Union, over 90,000 refugees remain in the country at the time of writing and more arrive each day. 85% of those who stay are female, elderly persons and/or children. Moldova is struggling with a serious economic crisis and inflation, in addition to the humanitarian situation. This is deepening the poverty in the country with limited resources and existent more than 620,00 individuals in an absolute poverty (estimated that additional 250K-500K will be under poverty line in few months). Most refugees come from the southern and southwestern areas of Ukraine, although the situation is changing rapidly. Seventeen border crossings have been established on the border with Ukraine, of which Palanca is the most frequented.

Some 70 per cent of refugees possess higher education qualifications, and two-thirds were previously working in Ukraine. Refugees are eager to reenter the labor market, which would lessen their reliance on welfare, but currently, less than one-third are employed or self-employed.

Refugees are seeking to play a more active role in their host countries, but they need additional support to do so. New needs have emerged as displacement has continued. Many mention that they need classes in local languages, support to ensure their skills are formally recognized, and importantly, help with childcare services which would enable them to work outside the home.

Objectives

The market assessment will apply to refugee seekers 1) Asylum seekers from various locations who came to Moldova over the last 15 years and 2) Asylum seekers from Ukraine, the majority of whom arrived in Moldova following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ensuing humanitarian crisis.

The overall objective of this study is to carry out a Labor Market Assessment for refugees located in the Republic of Moldova (with specific focus on Chisinau, Balti, Cahul, Soroca, and Criuleni zone), to provide evidence-based information for quality program design. The study will recommend concrete actions in the short, medium and long term to promote self-reliance and livelihoods for refugees. The research will have the age, diversity and gender focus.

The specific objectives are

• Identify enablers and barriers to refugee population’ employability and self-employment and, opportunities to mitigate prioritized barriers and maximize impactful opportunities
• Identify main market niches where refugees might have an opportunity to be employed by the private sector or sectors in which refugees already work but have opportunities to advance or better integrate
• Provide insights on resources, training, start-up capital and other support that may be provided to extremely poor refugee population to engage in selected/identified livelihood opportunities
• Identify the organizations currently engaged in economic inclusion activities and map institutions that are relevant for the economic inclusion of refuges and asylum seekers in the country, as well as their level of influence and willingness to work towards this objective

Process

• Phase 1: Plan of action

Based on the TOR, the consultant / research institution will develop and provide a Plan of Action that will align to the timeline provided at the end of the document. The plan of action will include methodology, the suggested research team, timeframe and budget (as will be detailed below).

Phase 2: Research Development and Fieldwork

Based on the selected Plan of Action, the research will be carried out. Regularly, during this phase, the research institution/ consultant will deliver a report presenting the results, information gaps and the proposed approach to fill these information gaps. These issues will also be discussed in a monthly meeting with HIAS team.

Phase 3: Draft of 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 study and capacity assessment will be delivered internally to HIAS designated Staff and then it will be circulated to key stakeholders as identified by the organizations.

Methodology

To accurately address the questions raised above, the consultant is expected to use a mixed methods approach including qualitative and quantitative data collection, including:

• Review of secondary sources, researches, reports, assessments etc
• Focus Group Discussions with asylum seekers and refugee communities in Moldova, including adult males, adult females and youths under the age of 25
• Key informant interviews with major employers, practitioners of the major

business sectors, workers union, vocational training centers etc

• Development and implementation of supplementary tools
• Produce report including data analysis, findings and recommendations for further programing and areas of research

The final document has to clearly and explicitly indicate

• The analysis of the current situation of refugees and asylum seekers that are looking for an income generating activity with emphasize on main enablers and barriers to refugee population’ employability and self-employment
• The professional profile of the refugee and asylum seeker population living in Republic of Moldova
• The capacity assessment report
• The identification of relevant market niches /value chains in the wage employment area for refugees and asylum seekers living in Moldova with emphasize on rural areas and cities outside Chisinau
• The analysis of the demand of the private sector actors in terms of economic inclusion for refugees and match these results with the potential skills, abilities, education, labor experience and entrepreneurship opportunities of the refugee population in Moldova
• The identification of potential self- employment market niches (individual or communitarian) that match with refugees’ professional profiles or potentialities
• The identification of relevant areas of training for refugees to improve and enhance their economic inclusion in the country
• The mapping of institutions that are relevant for the economic inclusion of refuges and asylum seekers in the country, as well as their level of influence and willingness to work towards this objective
• The identification of financial inclusion products currently available for refugees and asylum seekers, the institutions involved in this matter; the gaps identified for accessing these products and recommendations to promote financial inclusion of the refugee population
• The list of suggested interventions that might be effective for economically including refugees and asylum seekers in Moldova
• Production of draft report to be reviewed by HIAS staff
• Final Report with recommendation for market-based livelihood interventions with the following structure:

Title page, table of contents, executive summary, list of acronyms, description of HIAS economic inclusion interventions, description of the research methodologies, findings, conclusions and recommendations for program improvement, implementation plan of potential economic inclusion interventions which outlines where HIAS can contribute, bibliography.

• Data set for quantitative and qualitative data collected
• A short version of the report summarizing the main insights for external use in the form of a powerpoint presentation
• Workshop with stakeholders to share findings and recommendations

Ownership and Beneficiaries of the study

All documents produced and data collected under this assignment shall be the sole property of HIAS and may be used for any purpose whatsoever without the need to consult with the author.

The key beneficiaries of the study are the local stakeholders within the project area, as the study will support them in understanding the gaps and opportunities for economic inclusion programs in the country. In addition, the study report will be aimed at a range of stakeholders such as donors, public policy makers and other stakeholders including other NGOs working in Moldova. The findings of this study will also be used to raise the awareness level of the policy makers at the strategic, tactical and operational levels.

Qualification of Consultant

• Individual consultants and research institutions are encouraged to apply
• The consultant(s) or the research team from a research institution will need to meet the following profile:
• Advanced university degree in economics, sociology or relevant areas related to the study propose
• Strong background in market assessment and analysis for humanitarian programming, preferably working with refugees, forcibly displace population and/or vulnerable population
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in carrying out relevant socio-economic studies for vulnerable populations and research in value chain analysis and market assessments
• Excellent knowledge about economic issues, especially those related with the economic inclusion of vulnerable population
• Excellent knowledge about the refugee economic, legal and social context in Moldova
• Strong analytical, research and presentation skills
• Experience crosscutting age, gender and diversity focus in a socio economic study
• Oral and written fluency in English and Romanian, Ukrainian/Russian will be considered as an advantage

Application Process

Interested applicants should send a proposal to carry out the market study. The proposal should contain the following information:

• Research methodology, a broad time frame for the research consecution and a budget use description
• The proposed research team, its qualifications (CVs) and business references
• Two or three examples of market assessment reports from previous experience

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process for consultancies:

Step 2: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 3: Offer, consultancy agreement and background check.

Step 4: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

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 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

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

We Pursue Justice

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

• We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

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.