Strengthening Employability for Displaced People in Ecuador

One of the hardest things to do when moving to a new country is finding a job. For displaced people, the challenge is even harder. In the rush to safety, they’ve often lost certifications and arrive in a new country having to start from scratch. This is where HIAS comes in.

In Ecuador, HIAS partners with UNHCR to connect displaced people with job opportunities. One such applicant, Victoria, struggled at first to fit into her new community and find a job that aligned with her skills. But once she joined HIAS Ecuador’s employability program, she was able to adjust to the cultural differences.

“Adapting to a new country is not easy, but thank God, after a long time and thanks to HIAS’ assistance, opportunities opened up for me to help my family and myself,” Victoria said.

HIAS coached Victoria throughout her job search and helped her get hired by S4 Learning in Quito, an education company.

“It has been an enriching experience; the training, counseling, and follow-up,” Victoria shared. “All of this has allowed me to improve, without a doubt, learning more about labor laws, opportunities, and the rights we have as immigrant workers within a country.”

There are more than 470,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance in Ecuador, including more than 39,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Rising gang violence over the last two years has also internally displaced more than 300,000 Ecuadorians. HIAS has operated in Ecuador since 2003, working alongside host communities to welcome newcomers and provide economic opportunities.

HIAS’ employability program works to close the gap between supply and demand in the Ecuadorian labor market by mentoring refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people, as well as vulnerable Ecuadorians, as they search for jobs that align with the skills they bring from their home country.

“It is an opportunity to strengthen talent and competitiveness in organizations,” said Alexander Guamán, HIAS Ecuador’s Psychosocial Counselor in Quito. “We are talking about the labor reintegration of highly capable people with top-level skills who bring a diversity of experiences, resilience, and a strong motivation to get ahead.”

Applicants undergo training with an economic empowerment specialist and psychologist to prepare for the job market, including resume and interview preparation. Program participants are guided through the hiring process from start to finish.

Despite decades of work experience and a degree in Industrial Relations, Rosielis struggled to find work when she sought safety in Ecuador. She experienced age discrimination and lacked local references to back up her work ethic. HIAS provided Rosielis with job training specific to Ecuador and served as her reference. Today, she works as pharmacy assistant in Machala.

“The information received in the different sessions was invaluable,” said Rosielis. “As a foreigner, you know how things work in your country, but not in your host country. The workshops were always very dynamic, and the support and guidance from the staff were timely throughout the entire process.”

But HIAS Ecuador doesn’t just help potential employees—we work with employers too. HIAS provides training to companies on working with displaced people and then helps them fill vacancies by linking them with a talented labor force. The employability program mitigates turnover in companies and generates economic growth.

“HIAS has helped us to have more conscious and inclusive processes,” said Carla Sofía Barrionuevo, a Human Resources Leader at S4 Learning, the company that hired Victoria. “We have managed to implement concrete actions such as training, awareness, and hiring … Diversity is not a challenge; it is a great advantage.”

Maytee Muñoz Ulloa, a recruitment executive at Mia Pharmacies, which hired Rosielis, shared that working with HIAS helped the company cut down on recruitment times as qualified candidates were already pre-screened and ready to work. Employees like Rosielis have helped the organization succeed during a period of growth.

Employability program participants “bring commitment and resilience, along with a strong motivation to integrate and grow professionally,” said Maytee. “They also enrich the organizational culture with a diversity of experiences and perspectives.”

Overall, the employability program works to connect newcomers with safe and sustainable income that protects them from exploitation. Many displaced people are at risk of being taken advantage of because they lack the knowledge of how to navigate local laws and processes. By reaching vulnerable refugees, migrants, and local Ecuadorians, HIAS can place program participants on a path to financial security.

“These activities make it possible to close the existing gap for migrants and refugees to find decent work,” said Juan Romero, HIAS Ecuador’ Economic Empowerment Advisor. “Through employment, people have been able to rebuild their lives and provide stability and peace of mind for their families.”

Finding stable employment helped Victoria and Rosielis not only provide for their families but also feel supported in their integration journey.

“Throughout the process, I felt very accompanied, I was never alone,” Victoria said. “Honestly, it has been a very beautiful experience that has helped not only me but many people of different nationalities.”