Empowering Refugee Talent: Pathways to Dignified Employment

Alida Mushiranzigo is a refugee from Burundi, living in South Africa, where she is actively seeking job opportunities. Alida has a bachelor’s degree in IT Management, and is a graduate of the MIT Emerging Talent Computer and Data Science Certificate program and the Amsterdam University Data Science practitioner fellowship program. She has also completed several internships in her field of study. Alida has struggled to find a full-time role in data science due to being a non-citizen and having fewer years of experience compared to other applicants.

Originally from Eritrea and now living in the United States, Mikal Afewerki is currently seeking a role in data science and exploring entrepreneurship. Prior to this, Mikal was a freelance web developer, a role she found through Na’amal. She is an alum of the Certificate in Computer and Data Science from MIT Emerging Talent and pursued MITx graduate level courses such as Machine Learning and Data Science. With this knowledge, Mikal set off to find a job in data science. Mikal has experienced challenges finding work that matches her skills and qualifications. The primary challenge has been the intensive competitiveness of the job market, where many positions require extensive years of experience. Despite having the necessary skills and qualifications, including several internships, Mikal has fewer years of work experience, which has made it difficult to find the right job opportunity.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Emmanuel Ani is a HSEQ/ESG Consultant at Chariot Safety Services.He found his way to this role through a combination of training and serendipitous opportunities, and leveraged his professional network to discover this job opening. The hiring team was impressed by a project he presented on workplace safety improvements during the interview process, as well as his industry certifications and continuous education in HSE standards. Emmanuel’s qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in risk management and insurance; master’s degrees in occupational health and safety management and transportation planning and management; as well as many certifications and experience in compliance and regulatory affairs. These qualifications, combined with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, make Emmanuel a valuable asset to Chariot Safety Services, where he is committed to fostering safer and healthier work environments.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and now living in Kenya, Ebengo is the director of the refugee-led organization Advocacy Initiative for Youth Development (AdIYD2). In his role, he oversees and coordinates all activities, negotiates contracts with donors, and defines new projects or programs. He ensures that project activities are implemented according to approved proposals and donor requirements. Additionally, he assists in researching new projects and, in collaboration with partners, plans effective and mutually beneficial capacity-building projects to develop and share knowledge, skills, and attitudes in line with the organization’s best practices. He also approves all reports and submits them to the partners. He is still looking for employment opportunities and has experience in Project Management, Human Resources and many Digital Skills that he can contribute.

Born and raised in Afghanistan, Ali is a passionate software Engineer with strong foundations in designing, developing and optimizing tech solutions. He is currently pursuing a degree in Software Engineering at the American University of Afghanistan and just graduated from MIT Emerging Talent’s Certificate in Computer and Data Science. He is adept at leveraging the Python programming language to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets. His coursework has equipped him with a solid understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and software development methodologies. Driven by a curiosity to explore the intersections of software engineering and data science, he seeks innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Born and raised in Kenya, Sharon Wamalwa works as a Business Development Representative at Resilient People, a position she found through Na’amal. She had no previous experience in sales, but Sharon embraced the challenge and actively participated in her training program. She is thankful to the trainer of her program, who was instrumental in her success and in landing a full-time position. Her communication, objection handling, and market research skills have been key to making her a valuable member of the team.

Born and raised in Kenya, Nicole is an advocate of the high court, with a demonstrated history in commercial, corporate and general legal practice.

She is currently working as a research Lead at Samuel Hall East Africa, a social enterprise that conducts research, evaluates programmes, and designs policies in contexts of migration and displacement. She got the job thanks to a friend of hers, after she experienced a very hard time after losing a pregnancy. Nicole is a commercial lawyer skilled in Legal research and writing, Commercial transactions (including the provision of technical support), Civil and criminal litigation. Nicole is a strong administrative professional with an ongoing Masters Degree focused in international Relations from The National University of East London and a Masters in Corporate Governance and Law from the University of Nairobi.

Originally from Sudan, Ahmed is currently residing in France and is looking for job opportunities matching his skills. Despite facing numerous adversities, including political persecution and forced displacement, he has remained committed to education and activism. Ahmed has worked with international organizations such as the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and has been actively involved in advocating for development and stability in Darfur. Although he is currently unemployed due to various challenges, including language barriers and discrimination, Ahmed believes his experiences, resilience, and determination make him a valuable addition to any team.

Hakizimana Moise is a refugee from Burundi, currently residing in Kenya, and is actively seeking a job. Prior to 2020 he worked for the Jesuit Refugee Service at the Kakuma Refugee Camp, where he resides. Hakizimana was able to work part time while also learning at Jesuit Worldwide Learning, and graduated with a degree in business administration. He hopes to use these learnings to help develop his community and help them become more self-sufficient.

Mudadi Saidi is a dedicated wash facilitator with extensive training and experience in achieving open defecation-free status in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Working alongside Peace Winds Japan in the Sanitation and Hygiene department, Mudadi has led successful initiatives to improve sanitation practices and hygiene standards within the camp. In addition to his work in Wash, Mudadi has been actively involved in environmental campaigns, particularly focusing on zero waste and plastic-free initiatives in Kakuma.

His commitment to environmental sustainability led him to join the Global Youth Coalition training and participate in the Oxford Net Zero program. As a climate change advocate and nature activist, Mudadi’s passion lies in using art as a powerful tool for positive change.

He firmly believes in the transformative power of art to empower individuals and communities. Through various art empowerment projects, Mudadi aims to promote self-reliance and create a meaningful impact on the lives of refugees and host communities alike. With his diverse skill set and unwavering dedication, Mudadi continues to be a driving force for positive change in Kakuma Refugee Camp and beyond. He is open for opportunities as a Project Manager.

Susan Achiech is a Project Manager at Digital Lions and immediately after she discovered the job opportunity, she was drawn to their mission. Securing the position was a significant milestone, highlighted by a serendipitous connection with a former colleague who vouched for her capabilities. Her journey has been enriched by valuable resources like online courses and mentorship programs. With a strong technical background, excellent communication skills, and a dedication to delivering high-quality services, she believes her contributions are instrumental in driving project success and fostering team collaboration.

Ayuk Peterkings is a Cameroonian refugee living in the Adagom refugee settlement in Nigeria. He is a Social Entrepreneurship Trainer and Facilitator for Sorex – Nigeria empowering refugees through skills acquisition and livelihoods. He has expertise in accounting and refugee studies and combines it with training, leadership and advocacy in the field. He describes himself as committed, creative, passion driven and wants to make lasting solutions for refugee education and livelihoods.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Daniela Alba currently resides in Rome, Italy, where she works in Donor Relations at the Communications and Fundraising Department at the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). Before joining JRS, Daniela worked for OXFAM and UNICEF Italia, the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York. She interned at The Consulate General of Italy in New York and the FAO HQ in Rome. She is committed to education access, gender-based violence and cross-cultural advocacy of people with lived experience of displacement. She attributes her community’s support and access to education as the drivers behind her success. Daniela considers herself a privileged forcibly displaced person, which is why she is deeply committed to this cause.

Husna Hashim is a refugee from Afghanistan, currently residing in India, where she works as a Program Assistant for Eagle Online Academy. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration but despite Husna’s qualifications, her status as a refugee, combined with India’s high unemployment rate and competitive job market, made it very difficult to find a job. Initially a student and volunteer at Eagle Online Academy, a US-based nonprofit that helps Afghan women and refugees access academic opportunities, professional development, and mental health resources, Husna transitioned into a full-time role as a program assistant. Her unique perspective as someone directly affected by displacement, combined with her academic background and work to support marginalized populations, makes her a valuable employee.

Shadrack Kabila is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, currently residing in Malawi, where he is a caseworker at the Dzaleka refugee camp. Shadrack leveraged multiple volunteer opportunities with Plan International Malawi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Red Cross Malawi to gain experience in social work and as an interpreter. He went on to formalize this training with a degree in social work from Regis University. Shadrack is leveraging his skillset and background to pay it forward, supporting and advocating for the needs of other displaced people through his role at the Dzaleka camp and in his two non-profits, the Agapao Foundation and Refugees Talk.

Joelle Nyamoga Pidi is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, currently residing in Uganda, where she works as a Project Administrator for Hands of Hope. Despite having the necessary skills and qualifications, Joelle struggled for years to gain employment in Uganda due to her refugee status. Her status even hindered her from getting service jobs like waitressing. After five years of job searching, Joelle was hired as a Project Administrator at the Hands of Hope Organization, where she has now worked for four years. She continues to take professional development courses in programming, business strategy, and systems networking to improve her skill set. Joelle aims to leverage her skills and experience to gain future roles in project management and customer service.