Senior Technical Advisor, Temporary Labor Mobility for USAID/Ecuador

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About the Project

Through the Private Sector Engagement Modernization Contract (PSEMC), Dexis supports the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) PSE Hub to expand and deepen collaboration with the private sector to achieve greater development outcomes. The PSE Hub's mission is to create the institutional conditions, operating infrastructure, and capacity necessary to expand engagement with the private sector in the United States and partner countries. The PSE Hub works to transform and modernize how USAID does development by institutionalizing USAID's PSE policy and delivering capacity- and systems-building support for PSE across all sectors, operating units, and countries where USAID operates.

About the Position

USAID's Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance is advancing our vision of a world where freedom is flourishing and democracy delivers for all. The mission of the DRG Bureau is to lead USAID's efforts to invigorate democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development. We shape policy and development agendas, generate knowledge and evidence that drives innovation, catalyze partnerships and coalitions, and mobilize cutting-edge programs and technical assistance to enable USAID's Missions and partners to accelerate democratic development globally.

The Senior Technical Advisor for temporary labor Visa Programs is tasked with enhancing access to economic opportunities for Ecuadorian citizens. In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, this role focuses on supporting the Government of Ecuador's (GOE) national labor mobility strategy/unit to build institutional capacity needed to facilitate Ecuadorians' access to temporary labor pathways to the U.S., Spain, Canada, and other countries. This individual will provide expert guidance to the GOE to design, implement, and enforce a regulatory framework to ensure the ethical recruitment of eligible, qualified Ecuadorian workers, vet and process the necessary documentation for visa applications, inform workers of their rights during the recruitment process and while abroad, and support workers upon their return to Ecuador following their employment abroad.

The Senior Technical Advisor will conduct a market analysis to identify potential comparative advantages/market niches for Ecuadorian workers to meet labor needs abroad. This individual will also support the GOE and GOE representation in the exterior to appropriately engage private sector and diaspora populations to sponsor Ecuadorian workers under temporary visa programs. In addition, this individual will assist the GOE with the development of strategies to promote circular migration and guide the GOE on developing a hotline or other resources to receive and address concerns raised by temporary Ecuadorian workers while they are working abroad. They will spend most of their initial time in Ecuador meeting with the various government institutions to help them coordinate and work together to ethically and responsibly source workers to meet employers labor needs. The individual may travel to the United States or other countries in the region from time to time.

The Senior Technical Advisor will work in tandem with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility to build the capacity of the Circular Migration Unit to increase access for Ecuadorian workers to temporary labor pathways. By supporting the GOE's ability to regulate, process, and match workers with potential employers, this individual will facilitate the increased placement of Ecuadorian workers abroad. This role is pivotal in supporting the USAID Ecuador Democracy Office's mission to promote safe, regular migration and economic opportunity.

This is a six (6) month assignment from August 2024 - January 2025, to be based in Quito, Ecuador.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the USAID Ecuador Office, the Senior Technical Advisor will provide overall coordination, relationship management, communications, and oversight of the temporary labor pathways program. This will include, but may not be limited to, the following tasks:
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Project, USAID, and other counterparts.
  • Act as a liaison for the GOE to connect the MFA unit with government representatives and private sector representatives in potential destination countries.
  • Prepare an annual work plan that includes short-, medium- and long-term goals, and key performance indicators (including and especially related to expansion of the use of temporary labor pathways for Ecuadorian workers). The work plan should include, but not be limited to, proposed events to attend and propose events the Project should organize.
  • Conduct market analysis to identify overlaps between skills in the available Ecuadorian workforce and key labor needs in countries abroad with temporary labor pathways.
  • Develop strategic approach to increase access to US-based temporary visa programs (H-2, C-1/D, and J-1 visa categories), as well as temporary labor pathways to Spain, Canada, and other countries to hire Ecuadorian workers.
  • Facilitate coordination within the Ecuadorian interagency to identify and implement best practices around the ethical and efficient recruitment, vetting, and processing of eligible workers for temporary work abroad opportunities.
  • Advise the GOE on the design, implementation, and enforcement of Ecuadorian regulations for public and private sector recruitment of Ecuadorian workers to ensure pathways are protective and best practices are implemented to combat trafficking in persons, fraud, and unethical or exploitative practices.
  • Identify best practices for the GOE to support workers while abroad by ensuring they are aware of their rights and know how to access support services.
  • Guide the GOE on appropriate and impactful engagement of government representatives, private sector, and diaspora communities in potential destination countries to facilitate increased hiring and placement of Ecuadorian workers via temporary labor pathways.
• With the MFA Project team, define specific goals for:
  • Conducting a baseline market analysis to help Ecuador identify comparative advantages/market niche for eligible workers to meet temporary labor needs in the United States, Spain, and beyond;
  • Work with Ecuadorian government institutions to identify and implement good practices around the ethical and efficient recruitment, vetting, and processing of eligible workers for temporary work abroad opportunities;
  • Provide expert guidance on the design and enforcement of Ecuadorian regulations on private sector recruitment in Ecuador to ensure protective pathways.

Qualifications

Required

• MS/MA (or higher) with 8 or more years of work experience or a Bachelor's degree and 10 years of work experience or 15+ years equivalent relevant work experience.
• Experience working in Latin America, focusing on ethical labor recruitment programs from a source country perspective.
• Experience working with processes required by the Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State for US-based temporary visa programs.
• Experience building new systems for host government capacity to regulate ethical labor recruitment and vetting.
• Experience related to matching companies' needs for temporary employees and visa eligibility.
• Ability to communicate fluently verbally and in writing both in English and Spanish.

Preferred

• Experience working with relevant government counterparts (Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Ministries of Labor; Border Authorities; International Development Agencies).
• Experience with Ecuadorian legal framework and regulations, especially as related to worker protections.
• Experience as a temporary workforce manager or recruiter, for agricultural and non-agricultural workers or related functions.
• Current holder of an active Secret-level security clearance.

Dexis is on a mission to help solve today's most pressing global political, social, and economic challenges and create a world where all people are safe and prosperous. As a Dexis employee, you will be challenged, empowered, and mentored. Our motto is "find a way or make a way" - that's how Dexis goes "all in." How will you?

If you are passionate about this opportunity, apply now

Only those applicants who meet the above criteria will be contacted for interview.

Dexis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, military service, veteran status, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, childbirth and related medical conditions, including lactation, or any other protected class under applicable law.

As part of a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, Dexis provides healthcare insurance in addition to other staff welfare benefits and perks.

If you are hired for a position that is paid from the Dexis home office, you will be required to submit proof that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine unless you qualify for a legally recognized medical or religious exception to the vaccine requirement. This does not apply to AL, AZ, FL, KS, MT, NH, ND, or TX residents.