This summer, I undertook my Leadership-In-Action Project at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). As part of the Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance department (ICLA), I was tasked with writing a chapter on Employment Law and Procedures as part of the ICLA handbook, targeted towards displaced persons aiming to attain working rights and rights to establish business enterprises.

 Objectives and Outcomes

 Through participating in an introductory session with my project manager, I was able to effectively set SMART goals and a timeline for which tasks needed to be completed by. Whilst the introductory session helped me understand the global operations of NRC, it also enabled me to identify objectives that need to be accomplished.

While drafting the chapter,  I discovered the inequality and lack of support faced by displaced persons and refugees to attain the right to work or establish businesses. These barriers involved intense bureaucratic procedures that can only be accessed by paying expensive fees, leading to displaced persons inevitably depending on illegal gig economy work, tolerating exploitation, unfair pay and dangerous work. This indicates the inefficiencies of political institutions, failing to mitigate, acknowledge and ease harsh requirements for displaced persons to attain working rights and protections.

Therefore, through weekly check ins with my project manager, I was able to tailor the chapter to the feedback provided by my project manager, ensuring that it was clear and concise, so displaced persons were aware of rights, procedures, important contact information and access to NRC services that is available across the globe. Also, by incorporating international convections such as the UN declaration of Human rights, and articles from the International Labour Organisation in the chapter, displaced persons will be aware of international legislation that can support them access these rights and help scrutinise such institutions that fail to uphold international human rights.

Overall, in tandem with deadlines, I was able to ensure to write a chapter was in line with my project manager’s expectations whilst also fulfilling my goal of enhancing my research skills.

My Experience

As the impact of the NRC was essential to the chapter, I needed to understand the scope of NRC activities carried out in different countries. Therefore, I conducted interviews with regional managers who outlined a range of NRC services available to tackle different issues faced in different countries. Through these interactive discussions, I truly admire the role of the NRC implementing effective and strategic change, advocating for the importance of upholding the right to work. Not only does the NRC address short term goals such as raising awareness of employment rights through practices such as information sessions and counselling, the NRC also ensures institutional change as seen through influencing legal policy within governmental institutions and carrying strategic litigation to achieve favourable precedents that will positively impact displaced persons in the long term. These conversations enabled me to input concrete examples of how the NRC has actively aided displaced persons, ensuring that the chapter incorporated the influence and significance of the NRC in implementing change.

Furthermore, the operational structure of the NRC is integral towards ensuring that NRC services are efficiently provided and accessible to displaced persons and refugees. Through attending a weekly meeting with regional managers of all NRC branches with the task of writing meeting minutes, I was intrigued on the importance of carrying out risk assessments before implementing NRC services which increases efficiency and save operational costs. This was further exemplified through a monthly questionnaire sent out to all NRC branches updating the NRC services that are offered to displaced persons. As part of the ICLA team, I had the ability on updating the questionnaire, which resulted in efficient allocation of resources and the ability to adapt to the changing needs of displaced persons as predicaments arise, enabling consistent support to displaced individuals across regions which enhances the overall impact of NRC’s work.

Identifying hidden barriers

Despite legal barriers affecting displaced persons from attaining the right to work, there are hidden barriers that have stymied displaced persons from accessing resources and support. This can be seen through forms of discrimination and patriarchal norms. Through drafting and publishing the monthly ICLA newsletter, I was intrigued that many displaced persons tolerate discrimination in the workplace in fear of losing their jobs. Furthermore, displaced women who have ambitions of establishing businesses are expected to fulfil oppressive gender roles by staying at home and looking after the children. Through liaising with the NRC team in North Africa, the newsletter reflected NRC solutions, mitigating cultural barriers such as encouraging displaced persons to apply for small grants to establish business enterprises and establishing information sessions focused on overcoming inequalities faced by female displaced persons. This highlights the role of NRC strengthening economic independence amongst displaced persons and refugees.

 
Reflection

My Leadership-in-Action Project with the NRC significantly enhanced my confidence, research skills, and public speaking abilities while deepening my commitment to NRC’s goals of legal empowerment and economic independence for displaced persons. Writing the Employment Law and Procedures chapter required rigorous research to translate complex legal information into accessible content, equipping displaced individuals with knowledge to assert their rights while, weekly check-ins with my project manager taught me to incorporate feedback constructively. The NRC has demonstrated the power of structured advocacy and compassionate support in creating pathways for displaced persons to achieve legal empowerment and economic independence, inspiring me to pursue meaningful work that drives sustainable change for vulnerable communities.