Workshop on Circular Migration and Labour Matching European Commission 25 th March 2009 Belgium Diaspora skills mobilisation and deployment for development in Africa Kiran Luchmun Aurokium AfricaRecruit London

Who we are AfricaRecruit Enabling best practice Surveys, Seminars, Analysis Think Tank Findajobinafrica.com Enabling Skills Mobility and Knowledge Transfer AfricaDiaspora Enabling Remittances And Investments Program of New Partnership for Africas Development (NEPAD) & Commonwealth Business Council ( CBC) Capacity Building with Diaspora as one of the driver "AfricaRecruit one of The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) big achievements for just 4 years" The Journey So Far NEPAD Secretariat June 2005

What we do…………… Remittances Investment Mobilisation Diaspora part of the Picture – Not the picture Human Resource - Skills Foreign Direct Investments - FDI Africans in Africa Diaspora Expats Engagement of all stakeholders at policy and operational level …………….Build Links, Establish Partnership

What have we done Human Resources/SkillsRemittances/Investment 5 successful Human Resource (HR) forums 2 Healthcare mobilisation forums Conducted in-depth surveys of Brain drain Regional wide HR E-Newsletter Diaspora E Newsletter Database of Skills, Advertised over 150,000 jobs in 5 years for over 2,500 recruiters. 5 international career/recruitment fairs inside and outside Africa Return of over 500 Africans in the Diaspora/year and retained over 500 skills within Africa Influenced policies and operational change 4 Diaspora Investment Forums Conducted in-depth surveys of over 6,000 Diaspora on remittances and Investments Facilitated and supported numerous Diaspora investment/business conferences in Europe/North America Showcase success stories Successfully advocated for changes at governmental and operational level "When AfricaRecruit was launched in 2002, I provided an endorsement in the firm belief that its objectives were not only noble but also realizable. Since then, the initiative has performed creditably and become a key part of the NEPAD programme to mobilize quality skills for Africa. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President Federal Republic of Nigeria

Examples of what we have done - 1 Presentation to House of Commons United Kingdom Parliament (2004 and 2006) on the role of remittances and Diaspora Investment. Recommendation led to the United Kingdom Send Money Home Programme Presentation to the 3rd Ministerial and expert meeting of African Labour Ministers at the African Union Presentation to the United Nations Ad-hoc expert group meeting on Strengthening the business sector and entrepreneurship in developing countries: the potential of diasporas Engaged and contributed to the African Unions strategic policy formulation for the African Diaspora Worked closely with organisations such as Africa Business Roundtable Partnered and supported over 100 Diaspora related events in the United Kingdom and over 200 globally over the last 5 years

Successfully raised the awareness and recognition of the Diaspora as a key partner in Africas development to all stakeholders including the Diaspora themselves (over 320,000 to date) Produced 9 reports Produce a quarterly E-Human Resources Newsletter disseminated to over 50,000 Human Resource Practitioners across Africa Dissemination of Diaspora Newsletters ( minimum of 4 a year) Focused on bespoke topics which will have significant impact in Africa e.g. Health and Agriculture Presented at key strategic meetings in the United Kingdom and beyond Examples of what we have done - 2 AfricaRecruit quoted as a Pride of a continent: Africa's gifts to the world The Independent Newspaper 21 September 2006

Process of Engagement/Mobilisation/Facilitation BY THEME HR forums, Skills recruitment fairs, Health seminars, etc BY NATIONALITY Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, etc BY OUTREACH & NETWORK, online & offline Support & attend over 100 events globally HR e-newsletter Diaspora e-newsletter BY PROJECT Online Career Guidance, Science Project, EU Diaspora surveys in UK, etc When AfricaRecruit was launched in 2002, I provided an endorsement in the firm belief that its objectives were not only noble but also realizable. Since then, the initiative has performed creditably and become a key part of the NEPAD programme to mobilize quality skills for Africa. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President Federal Republic of Nigeria

Why people leave Africa? 1 of 3 PersonalProfessionalGovernment/ Political Join husband an start family Born in the UK and was not paid for some months Parents migrated University studies Pursue Undergraduate Studies Acquire more knowledge Training Enhance perspective on global matters Specialist Training Unstable political Environment

Why people leave Africa? 2 of 3 PersonalProfessionalGovernment/ Political Marriage Settlement To support husband while he was studying Sent to school in UK and never went back Professional development and better remuneration Scholarship Redundancy Practice safe medicine Refugee Lack of professional encouragement and government policies Crime and insecurity

Why people leave Africa? 3 of 3 PersonalProfessionalGovernment/ Political Study abroad Not able to practice clinical pharmacy Postgraduate Degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine Poor opportunities Affirmative action in South Africa = Reverse Apartheid Anti-Apartheid Tribalism

PROJECT 1: Engaging in Africas Health Care while in the Diaspora Consider going back on a permanent basis As a consultant or expert Prepared to work outside your country of origin No8%5%0% Not sure 22%0% Yes70%95%100%

Programmes currently involved with in Africas healthcare system 35% of the 592 African Diaspora Healthcare professionals surveyed respondents are currently involved in Africas health care system Examples of programme Diaspora are involved Independent Public Health Management Consultant HIV Care of AIDS Orphans Networking off line and online ( E-groups) Developing links from healthcare or related institutions to similar organisations in Africa Advocacy in health care Donation of equipments, materials and training materials Teaching and Research Promoting medical leadership Voluntary work-organisational/team and or individual effort Registration of drugs and clinical trials in Africa

PROJECT 2 : ENGAGING THE DIASPORA IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA The international council for science regional office for africa (icsu roa) and national research Foundation (NRF) South Africa awarded AfricaRecruit the Africa Diaspora Brain - Gain project. The aims of the project is to: Effectively mobilise and engage the African Diaspora in Science, Engineering, Technology and related sectors for projects in Africa Gain an in-depth understanding of the ongoing African Diaspora science and technology initiatives To gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges and solution to enable effective and sustainable Diaspora engagement To develop a sustainable work plan to enable effective Diaspora engagement

METHODOLOGY: Over seven months (February – August 08), AfricaRecruit conducted a study to map out Diaspora involvement in Science and Technology focusing on the following activities: FINDINGS: Information and data gathering to develop a robust database of Diaspora expertise in science and technology (over 2,000 submissions at ) Cases studies of successful Diaspora engagement and other continents such as Asia. (Total of 20 case studies) Stakeholder engagement using various approaches online and offline to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges, incentives and recommendations to effective Diaspora engagement.( 252 Diaspora completed the survey) Out of the 252 respondents who completed the survey, 76% were male and 24% were female

Respondents are experts in a variety of fields but the highest number of respondents (30%) are IT specialists, followed by engineers who make up 14% of respondents while the remainder are from wide variety of disciplines. The level of scientists qualified to at least masters level of education is 58%. The respondents belong to 43 professional organisations and or associations 18% consider the relocation expenses and salary offered to be insufficient incentives while 17% have not been able to find out about opportunities to work in Africa in sufficient time to apply for them. Others sited lack of professional integration (12%) and the lack of a clear recruitment process (12%) as reasons they have not returned to work in Africa. Only 23% of the respondents belong to a Diaspora organization. This explains why he or she may not be aware of activities that are carried out by their peers because they have no contact or access to information. However, it is worth noting that 51% of Diaspora scientists are involved in projects in Africa instigated at their own initiative. Activities include education support, provision of computers to rural schools, consultancy services, general support and charitable giving.

PROJECT 3 : Kenya Diaspora Skills & Investment Forum Results of the Survey of the Diaspora December 2006 Online and offline survey at or was communicated widely to over 6,000 Kenyan Diaspora as well as completion of the survey at the event on the 9th December 06 of which 1327 completed the survey giving an estimated response rate of 18%. The survey migration from Kenya as well as sustenance or investment driven remittances; challenges and obstacles with suggestions

1327 responses significant number Diaspora based in the United Kingdom with other countries of residence such as Australia,Belgium, Botswana, Denmark,France,Germany,Italy,Sweden, Thailand and United States Approximately 20% belonged to a Diaspora Organisation 60% of the 1327 Kenyan Diaspora that responded to the survey left Kenya for Career Professional reasons Approximately 1/3 of the respondents left Kenya over 10years ago and 20% belong to a Diaspora organisation and 78% considering going back to Kenya now or at a later date 70% of the respondents consider becoming self-employed if they return home 82% of the 1327 Diaspora respondents remit to Kenya for sustenance purposes of those who do half remit for business/investment purposes. 24% of those who do not remit for sustenance do send money home for business and investment reasons. Estimated 2.6million US dollars/year remitted

PROJECT 4 : Africa Career Guidance Harnessing the Skills Capacity and Capabilities of Youth in Africa by providing Career Guidance One of the significant challenges of enhancing youth employment in Africa is to develop a more effective matching and linking mechanism between skills of current and prospective African university graduates and job opportunities in the marketplace

Results of the Survey 60% of the respondents access the internet frequently ranging from every day to 3-5 days a week 43% of the respondents indicated they would consider changing their course if they had the information available before choosing the present course they are doing. 25% of the respondents access career guidance service using the web Over 70% of the respondents rated a website with career guidance as very important Only 12% of the recognised 301 universities in Africa have career centres with only 34% possessing a website

Support in the form of Partnership Technical Partnership e.g. information technology infrastructure Knowledge and Content e.g. career advisors, counselling, business skills and enterprise development Financial partner Information e.g. job profiles, internship and or volunteer posts, Media partner END OF PROJECT SLIDES

THE DIASPORA Challenges to engage Harnessing its capital - financial, intellectual, social, nostalgic and political potential Diversity – varying needs Various reasons for leaving Africa- perspective on Africa wide Who do the organisations or governments want to engage with the Diaspora engage with? Access the hidden majority vs obvious minority African governments/organisations engaging with individual Diasporas or groups Host government difficulties in engaging a political groups Lack/poor or misinformation

Steps to Engage the Diaspora in Circular Migration Mobilisation around themes Informing Access to job opportunities Platform for debate with stakeholders Building strategic alliances/partnership Communication Dissemination Incentives

What is the Process…engaging on both sides Skills Mapping using innovative technology Communication programme on/offline – seminars; road shows and outreach the job portal for Africa Channel and Direct - Strategic alliances with various Organisations both private and public sectors; management/recruitment consultants; professional bodies and the African Diaspora organisations and associations Transfer - within Africa Build on the skills in quality and quantity - Valued asset Retain using best practices reducing push factors

Facilitating Skills and Knowledge Transfer 2 million hits per month Total 100,000 cvs Mailing list 300,000 contacts Users include public, private and non-governmental sector covering job vacancies in all African countries e.g. An organisation that provides management and capacity building services to African businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises Voluntary, Consultancies, Contract and Permanent All African nationalities based inside and outside Africa Experts based inside and outside Africa All industries represented on the database Network with 1,500 formal & informal groups - universities, professional groups, diaspora groups, etc

SOME EXAMPLES on KPMG – Railway jobs opportunities, consultancies, engineers Emerging Maket Group, IRC, ARD, OXFAM, SAVE THE CHILDREN, Medecin Sans Frontiere Danish Management in Holland – offering consultancy work for ICT projects Mercy Corp USA – Chief of Party Liberia Latest news update via our Diaspora newsletter 1 – Netherlands Migration Institute (NMI) asking us for introduce them to South Africa recruitment agencies

Outcomes so far Indicators Increasing number of Diaspora returnees, enquiries and web stats Increasing number of open jobs for recruitment Increasing number of employers adopting strategy enabling them to target local and international candidates Increasing calls for recruitment fairs Decreasing reliance on experts More organisations investing in workforce More organisations adopting best practice Recommendations Policy level Mobility of critical skills within Africa Development of ToR for investors to reflect building and transfer of skills Partnership level for AfricaRecruit Develop extensive skills database Africa Virtual HR Forum Facilitate Africa Skills Development agency Virtual HR-Recruitment forum Mobilise more Diaspora using ICT

Sabbaticals Mentorship Consultancy Interims Interns Exchange Voluntary in areas such as health and Education- critical needs Permanent There is always a way…. ADDED VALUE Repatriate – Expatriate Skills …. Skills

AfricaRecruit Building framework Findajobinafrica facilitating access attracting the best Achieving the balance – Retaining in Africa and reclaiming from the Diaspora turning the tide Human Capital Develop & Retain Attract & reclaim 500 Diaspora in a year HR roundtables best practice implementation Recommendations for policy Many Africans retained in Africa mobility of skills "Mobilisation of resources is crucial for the successful implementation of NEPAD Prof. Firmino Mucavele, Chief Executive of the NEPAD Secretariat

Remittances Investment Mobilisation Diaspora part of the Picture – Not the picture Human Resource - Skills Foreign Direct Investments Africans in Africa Diaspora Expats Engagement of all stakeholders at policy and operational level …………….Build Links, Establish Partnership Recap: How it all fits

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