Transitions exchange workshop with candidates & KPMG staff

1. Transitions exchange workshop with candidates & KPMG staff Presented by: TO Date: 18/07/2013

2. Employment in Eritrea 2003 – 2010 Senior Budgets Officer, Ministry of Finance 2005 – 2010 Research & Consultancy (Care International, Refugee Trust International, International Red Cross, Catholic Relief)

3. Study overseas 2006 -2012 Public Finance study: United Nations Institute for Training & Research 2011 MA Public Management & Policy, Germany, University of Potsdam (Distinction) 2003 BA Economics & Finance (Eritrea)

4. International workshops 2013 Lisbon– EU funded Food We Want Programme workshop 2011 Brussels – Global Environmental policy workshop 2010 Uganda – UNDP Local Government Forum for MDGs 2010 Kenya - IMF – Financial Integration model 2007 China Economic Development model

5. UK 2012 - Present – PENHA (P/T) Development Project officer UK press officer Food We Want EU funded project Fundraising Committee Nov 2012 – June 2013 - British Red Cross (via Transitions) P/T Learning & Organizational Research officer (Vodafone) Dec. 2012 - June 2013 Arhag Housing Association (informed by Transitions) Community Engagement Officer internship Chartered Institute of Housing Level 2 qualification June – Sept 2012 Mayor‘s Community Champion Borough of Tower Hamlets – London Olympics and Paralympics

6. Achievements in UK PENHA Fundraising: • £250,ooo raised in 2012 • Currently final phase in £500,000 bid to DFID British Red Cross: • Co-applied successfully for Vodafone funding of post • Conducted SWOT analysis; current state of play, benchmarking, updating business case IT competencies shown: • Google forms, Excel, Trello, Office 365, Blogging; Prizy Arhag Housing • Enhancing/maintaining satisfaction survey • Presented findings to management, providers and tenant representatives Addressing personal challenges • Building UK working experience/earned income/ keeping & building confidence

7. Professional Development plans • To enhance: • Understanding of UK International Development and humanitarian aid sector (focus on ODI & IIED). • UK Digital fundraisingskills • UK project-based finance management skills • UK grants/financial reporting/narrative reporting skills • Knowledge of European institutional donors and their requirements • Gain professional body Accreditations and memberships (CIPFA, RedR)

8. Some specific problems for refugee professional candidates • Lack of UK work experience & references • Therefore skilled & experienced refugees are relatively uncompetitive in UK jobs market • Employers/HR lack of information about refugees • Low interest to hire refugees – specially INGOs • Over qualified for certain jobs • Equivalence of Qualifications problems • Self confidence and cross-cultural presentation barriers

9. Suggestions to address the problems • At organization level • Advocacy for Refugee professionals’ competencies • Recruitment agencies & employers increased awareness of refugee employment rights • Career advice & internships opportunities for refugees • At Individual level • CV gaps: try to find relevant experience • Widen network – to create better chances • Build strong human & social network • Understand UK labour market • Start with junior level posts to rebuild your career

10. Some tips for effective professional jobsearch • Keep up spirits and keep applying • Develop tailored CVs • Always try to answer to essential criteria • Expand your network and use social media to be accessible by employers

11. Way forward • Awareness: Refugees are not employment migrants and they are not coming here to seek benefits and better life. • Assessment We had good & professional jobs – ability to work with low facilities and resources and transferable skills that could greatly add value to UK organisations • Respect Left our beloved ones behind us – so we need respect and assistance.