CAREER PATH WORKSHOP COMPLIANCE AND BUSINESS ADVISOR ARIANA GROUP, LONDON

OUTLINE 1 Career path Achievements Future objectives Barriers (Refugees) Tackling barriers Final words

CAREER PATH 3

CAREER PATH, Education Part time PhD student, Political Economy of Development, Department of Development Studies, SOAS MA, Political Economy, The University of Manchester, Chevening Scholarship, Manchester Dissertation received distinction , BSc in National Economy, Kabul University, Kabul, A Diploma in Business Administration, KARDAN Institute, Kabul, Gold Medalist

CAREER PATH, Employment UK 5 Business Employment: July 2015–Present, Compliance Advisor, Ariana Group (API) 2 days p/wk Advising on AML/CFT policies procedures -Money Laundering Regulation The Proceeds of Crime Act The Terrorism Act 2000 Training compliance staff Improving policies and procedure Business Development Advisor, Nov 2013–July 2015 Assisted in developing over ten small and medium sized businesses. (POSLC) -Social enterprise projects such as summer festivals -Branch-out schemes (Nationally and internationally) -Fruits and saffron imports from Afghanistan -Gemstone project -Education project

CAREER PATH, Employment UK… 6 Advisory and Consultancy: Jan 2014–March 2015, Language and Cultural Advisor, MoD Oct. 2014–Present, Board of Trustees Member, Afghan Action Sep 2013–Present, Board of Trustees Member, Afghan Paiwand Association, Aug 2011–Present, Steering Group Member, Transitions Journalism and Media Engagement: 2012–Present, Regular commentator and debater on political economy and current affairs of Afghanistan, Multi-media including BBC and Channel 4.

CAREER PATH, Employment Afghanistan 7 Feb 2005–Sep 2009Chief of Staff, Governor Office, Central Bank Mar 2004–Jan 2005 Executive Assistant to First Deputy Governor Feb 2003–Feb 2004 Bank Operations Analyst, Banking Reform Program, USAID/BearingPoint Sep 2002 – Jan 2003Chief Administration/Accountant, Currency Exchange Project, USAID/Louis Berger Group Aug 1999–Aug 2002Senior Provincial Administrator, Afghanaid

ACHIEVEMENTS 8

9 2008–Present 1 book published,, over 20 media stories, 3 academic academic articles in journals, dozens of TV and radio talks & debates 2012–2014Facilitated 3 large Afghan summer annual festivals attended by thousands of Afghans 2009–2010Distinction University of Manchester Masters Dissertation China’s economic reform 2009–Sep 2010Chevening fully funded scholarship grant, MA Political Economy of Development, Manchester 2009Certificate for recognition of outstanding annual performance Central Bank 2005– 2006 Gold Medalist award, Business Administration diploma program

10 FUTURE OBJECTIVES

11 Complete PhD / stay within academic circles Work for international organisations, Oliver Wyman? Engage with government policy circles Engage with multi media journalism as an analyst

FUTURE OBJECTIVES 12 Work for international organisations (Oliver Wyman) Consultant Job Work in teams to solve high level business problems facing Global 1000 clients Structure and carry out essential research and analysis Lead complex quantitative, strategic and financial analysis of corporations and business Receive support to rapidly develop leadership and client management skills EMEA Management Office Lead Associate Oversee delivery of core processes run by EMEA management office associate Support delivery of select initiatives and projects as these arise Develop analysis and meeting documentation as required to support the head of EMEA Management Office Support the development of Centre of Excellence for Regional Management Team

BARRIERS 13

 Economic recession  Lack of knowledge about how UK job market works  Lack of UK relevant experience  Pressure to take unskilled work  Out of date knowledge due to gap in employment  Lack of recognition of overseas qualifications  Negative media representation of refugees  Employers’ reluctance to employ refugees  Lack of employers’ knowledge about refugee professionals  Integration challenges- Language, culture, public system 14 BARRIERS (Refugees)

TACKLING BARRIERS 15

AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL:  Continuous and constant support from Transitions  Continuous publications in academia  Continuous media engagement  Continuous follow ups with potential organizations  Continuous and active participation in job related events such as seminars, conferences and workshops  Continuous networking in the UK and Afghanistan job market 16 TACKLING BARRIERS

AT ORGANISATION LEVEL:  Increasing employers’ awareness  Highlighting economic waste of under-employing skilled refugees  Amend legislation  Leading businesses create a fund for work placements for refugees. Similar to Barclays Life Skills programme  Encourage business leaders to publicly comment on how they benefit from highly skilled refugees  Develop positive representation of refugees, (being a refugee is not BAD).  Refugees should raise their voice through media and other means 17 TACKLING BARRIERS…

18 FINAL WORDS

 Refugees are not economic migrants.  They are in desperate need of moral support.  They are professionals and can be great contribution to organisations, job market and the UK economy as a whole.  Luggage is not the only thing a refugee brings. Einstein was a refugee. 19 FINAL WORDS

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