Economic Inclusion Coordinator, Romania

POSITION SUMMARY

HIAS seeks an Economic Inclusion Advisor to develop and oversee HIAS’s economic inclusion strategy for Ukrainian refugees in Romania implemented by local partners. The programs developed in co-creation with 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 Advisor will lead efforts to integrate HIAS Economic Inclusion programs portfolio and local best practices to maximize the impact across Romania in both urban and rural communities. The Advisor will ensure that programs are market based, evidence-based, results-oriented, and fully accountable to a diversity of affected populations. 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 EI technical team, all other team members, partners, local and national government, the private sector and the academia.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Understand and advocate HIAS Economic Inclusion program portfolio in order to strategize on best options for program design in the respective context.
• 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
• Develop partnership agreements with local actors, 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.
• 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
• 4+ years designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating economic inclusion programs for vulnerable population. Preferable experience within a a refugee, forced displacement, or humanitarian context
• 1+ years of field-based experience in Eastern Europe
• Experience designing and implementing economic inclusion and economic recovery programs in emergency contexts, including cash-based interventions, with expertise in gender and other protection implications
• 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
• Experience in developing and implementing economic inclusion programs with a gender lens.
• 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
• Fluency in Romanian. Ability to speak 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.