What kind of training does Nal provide to refugees?

Nal provides foundational training in digital livelihoods, such as full-stack web development, and remote work readiness programs. These programs also focus heavily on essential soft skills like communication, Google Workspace, and agile project management, preparing talent for real-world remote work environments.

How does Nal Agency address the digital divide for its talent?

Nal addresses the digital divide by securing funding for devices and internet connectivity for its learners during training programs, often through partnerships with organizations like GiveInternet.org and Appen. Once talent starts earning, they are encouraged to invest in their own connectivity and devices, moving towards self-sufficiency.

What are the competitive advantages of working with Nal Agency's talent?

Nal's talent brings incredible dedication, determination, and diverse perspectives. They consistently deliver high-quality work, often with higher accuracy rates compared to traditional outsourcing. Clients appreciate the human element, transparency, and problem-solving ingenuity, leading to high satisfaction and repeat business.

How do Nal and Equal Reach collaborate to provide opportunities?

Nal and Equal Reach have a symbiotic relationship. Equal Reach acts as an impact sourcing hub and marketplace, funneling work opportunities from the private sector and matching them with best-suited teams from delivery partners like Nal. Nal then trains and supports these teams to execute the projects, creating a bridge between skilled talent and market demand.

What personal challenges have Nal's alumni overcome to succeed?

Alumni like Susan and Mik'el have overcome significant challenges including limited access to education in refugee camps, connectivity issues, distractions from personal life, and economic hardships. They've leveraged scholarships, self-learning resources (Coursera, YouTube), and community support, coupled with immense personal drive, to develop their tech skills.

What is the long-term vision for scaling the impact outsourcing model?

The vision for scale is not just growing one organization, but supporting other organizations to replicate the Nal model, creating a formula for broader impact. It focuses on high-touch, boutique programs that create mind-set shifts and empower talent to become change-makers who can then initiate similar ventures in their own communities.

Can purpose and profit coexist in social impact initiatives?

Yes, purpose and profit can and should go together. Organizations like Nal and Equal Reach aim to be profitable to sustain their work and support more people, while remaining hyper-focused on social impact. The goal is to set a new standard for fair, non-exploitative digital work that benefits both the displaced communities and businesses.

What future initiatives are Nal's alumni pursuing?

Susan Ayich is establishing 'Tech from Algorithms,' a gaming company in Kakuma Refugee Camp, to educate and empower fellow refugees in game development and design. Mik'el AI is developing an Eritrean Refugee Association in Ethiopia to create platforms for education and entrepreneurship, aiming to empower refugee communities with job opportunities.

Is AI being considered to enhance refugee education and learning?

Nal is actively exploring ways to incorporate AI for education, though it's still an emerging area. They are interested in data-driven approaches and proof-of-concept initiatives, such as interactive AI-driven learning platforms that adapt to student levels, and encourage collaborations with innovators in this space.

Empowering Talent, Strengthening Businesses: The Opportunities of Impact Outsourcing - MS 2024

MIT OpenCourseWare

Education5 min read92 min video

Jul 5, 2024|195 views|6

Migration summit migration summit jobs work online job freelancing empowering talent talent strengthening business impact outsourcing

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Impact sourcing connects displaced talent with remote work, empowering individuals and businesses.

Key Insights

Impact sourcing intentionally hires individuals with limited employment prospects for career development.

Nal agency and Equal Reach use an agency model to provide remote, project-based work for displaced talent.

Companies benefit from diverse perspectives, CSR gains, and high-quality outsourced work through impact sourcing.

Challenges like the digital divide are addressed through device provision, connectivity support, and flexible communication methods.

Success stories highlight the talent's resilience, adaptability, and the significant accuracy rates achieved.

Scaling impact sourcing involves empowering other organizations and replicating successful models, not just increasing numbers.

The model demonstrates that purpose and profitability can be integrated, creating dignified work and business value simultaneously.

INTRODUCTION TO IMPACT SOURCING AND MIGRATION SUMMIT

The Migration Summit 2024, organized by MIT Emerging Talent, Nal, and Kuram Foundation, focuses on unlocking talent pathways for dignified work for refugees and migrants. This session, hosted by Nal, delves into impact sourcing, an inclusive employment practice where companies in global supply chains intentionally hire individuals with limited job prospects for career development. The goal is to foster dialogue and action by bringing together diverse perspectives from learners, universities, companies, social enterprises, policymakers, employers, and governments.

THE NA'AMAL AGENCY'S MISSION AND MODEL DEVELOPMENT

Lorraine Charles, founder of Nal, explains the agency's origin from research into refugee employment challenges. Initially aiming to link trained refugees to remote internships and junior roles, Nal encountered corporate reluctance due to perceived risks. A pivotal suggestion to outsource projects instead of hiring junior talent led to the development of the Nal agency model. This model functions as a business that "de-risks" companies by managing and scaffolding talent, enabling refugees to gain meaningful work experience and build portfolios, with the ultimate aim of them eventually becoming independent freelancers.

OPERATIONALIZING IMPACT SOURCING: THE AGENCY'S FUNCTION

Matthew Lloyd, Operations Manager at Nal, describes the agency's process: receiving projects, identifying talent from their database, and assembling teams using agile methodologies. Unlike traditional profit-driven outsourcing, Nal's model is mission-driven, focusing on providing underserved communities with work and experience. This approach ensures talent is paid well above average wages, offering clients CSR benefits alongside unique perspectives from diverse cultures. Abdi Ambari, Tech and Communications Lead, emphasizes the crucial role of close supervision and creating a safe space for talent to express needs and receive resources, ensuring high-quality project delivery even for junior individuals new to client work.

ADDRESSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND ENSURING CONNECTIVITY

The session highlights the significant challenge of the digital divide. Nal addresses this by providing devices and connectivity support, particularly during training programs. For ongoing projects, they encourage talent to invest in better access once earning. Asynchronous communication methods, like silent stand-ups and video feedback, are implemented to overcome inconsistent internet connectivity, allowing teams to learn both technical skills and remote work best practices. Donors and partners like Give Internet and Appen play a vital role in supplying devices and funding connectivity, recognizing that digital livelihoods are impossible without them.

THE EQUAL REACH MODEL AND MARKET LINKAGES

Jizelle Gonzalez, founder of Equal Reach, explains their role as an impact sourcing hub connecting skilled refugee and host community talent with digital work. Operating as a freelancing marketplace, Equal Reach bridges the gap between companies with outsourced projects and agencies like Nal that specialize in training and supporting talent. They aim to facilitate market linkages for paying work, leveraging existing talent pools and infrastructure. This symbiotic relationship allows Equal Reach to scale market access while Nal provides the crucial localized support, mentorship, and project scaffolding needed for success.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AND TALENT POTENTIAL

Panelists emphasize that the competitive edge of displaced talent lies not in stereotypes of resilience, but in their untapped potential and unique perspectives. Companies gain accuracy rates as high as 95% with Nal's talent, significantly outperforming traditional freelance sourcing. The talent's willingness to learn, adapt, and collaborate, often driven by a genuine desire to prove themselves, is a major asset. This "we'll figure it out together" mentality, combined with dedication, leads to exceptional client satisfaction and repeat business. The model validates that social impact and business needs are mutually beneficial.

SUCCESS STORIES AND CAREER PATHWAYS FOR TALENT

Mikel AI, an IT refugee and Nal alumna, shared her journey from comprehensive web development training to project work, emphasizing the importance of foundational skills and soft skills for remote work readiness. Susan Aich, a Sudanese refugee and full-stack developer, highlighted how Nal's training improved her communication and technical skills, enabling successful website and backend development projects that led to repeat client work. Both demonstrated immense dedication and a proactive approach to learning and problem-solving, showcasing the transformative power of these programs.

FUTURES AND SCALING IMPACT SOURCING

Susan is launching "Tech from Algorithms," a gaming company in Kakuma to empower fellow refugees with game development education and freelance opportunities. Mikel is spearheading the creation of a "Nal Refugee Association" in Ethiopia to educate and empower entrepreneurs within refugee communities to create jobs and disseminate skills. The vision for scaling impact sourcing involves supporting other organizations to replicate these successful models, emphasizing high-touch, small-cohort training and creating a network of empowered individuals who can then lead initiatives in their own communities.

BROADER IMPLICATIONS AND FUTURE WORK

The discussion touched upon AI in education for personalized learning and the increasing focus on decent work in the platform economy, with potential new international standards being developed. Partnerships are crucial for balancing scale with hyperlocal support, ensuring both profitability and purpose. Recruiters are encouraged to reach out to Nal and Equal Reach if they possess relevant skills or projects. The session concluded by highlighting the opportunity for stakeholders to engage in shaping future regulations for decent work in the evolving digital economy.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Impact outsourcing is an employment model that Nal Agency uses to connect displaced talent, particularly refugees, with dignified digital work. Nal acts as an agency, taking on outsourced projects from companies, de-risking the process for businesses, and building teams of trained refugees to deliver high-quality work, providing them with real-world experience and income.

Topics

Impact Sourcing Digital Livelihoods Ethical Funding Community Empowerment

Mentioned in this video

organizationInternational Labour Organization (ILO)

A UN specialized agency focused on the world of work, collaborating with governments, employers, and workers to improve employment and labor market policies.

personJazelle Gonzalez

Founder of Equal Reach, who partnered with Nal to build an agency model that de-risks companies and provides meaningful work for displaced talent.

organizationGiveInternet.org

A partner of Nal that provides devices and money for connectivity to learners in programs like those in Kenya, addressing the digital divide.

companyAppen

A partner that donated laptops to Nal learners in Kenya, highlighting efforts to provide necessary devices for digital livelihoods.

personSusan Ayich

A Sudanese refugee currently in Kenya and alumna of Nal, a full-stack developer specializing in game development, who worked on a website project for Nal Agency.

companyEqual Reach

A partner of Nal Agency, an impact sourcing hub connecting skilled refugee and host community talent with dignified digital work globally.

organizationRunning Remote

A remote work community with over 2,000 members where Lorraine Charles discussed challenges of placing talent, leading to the idea of project outsourcing.

personDrew Gardner

Employment Policy Specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO), moderating the session.

companyTech from Algorithms

A gaming company started by Susan Ayich in Kakuma Refugee Camp, aiming to empower refugees with education opportunities in game development and design.

companyNamal Agency

An innovative model developed to secure remote project-based work for displaced talent, formed from research into challenges refugees face.

organizationIKEA Foundation

Funder of the Rebuild program, which focuses on economic matters and policy conversations.

organizationMIT Emerging Talent, Nal, and Kuram Foundation

Organizers of the migration Summit 2024, focusing on building bridges for displaced learners and communities.

personLorraine Charles

Founder and Executive Director of Nal, who established the agency to train refugees for remote work and address employment challenges.

organizationLearning Lions

An organization credited by Susan Ayich for providing scholarships and enabling her to gain programming skills essential for her work with Nal Agency.

personMik'el AI

An Eritrean refugee and alumna of Nal/MIT React, who is an IT talent and shared her journey of training and working on projects with Nal.

personMatthew Lloyd

Operations Manager at Nal, responsible for managing projects and ensuring the smooth flow of work for talent.

toolGoogle Calendar