Haitian Culture Content Creator - Consultant

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Background of the project

Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States. Its mission is to provide comprehensive support and guidance to professionals and organizations involved in refugee resettlement. Through an inclusive and diverse approach, Switchboard aims to empower and equip service providers with the tools they need to facilitate successful and sustainable integration for newcomers in their new communities. Switchboard is implemented by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and provides tools, learning opportunities, research, and technical assistance covering a range of topics related to the newcomer experience.

In recent years, an increasing number of Cuban and Haitian nationals have arrived to the US seeking asylum or other protection. As most Cuban and Haitian arrivals are eligible for US Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-funded programs and benefits, Switchboard is increasing its tools and resources related to serving these populations. Switchboard and the IRC’s Asylum & Legal Protection (ALP) Unit will partner to create technical support via trainings and materials to support service providers working with Cuban and Haitian Entrants (CHE), focusing on the unique aspects of serving these populations, including challenges related to navigating the immigration court process and overall immigration and asylum system, enhancing understanding of processing at the southern US border, and deepening understanding of country and migratory context of these populations.

We are seeking an expert on Haiti and Haitian migration to the US to produce a written resource on Haitian country conditions and the migratory context of Haitians who have recently arrived to the US.

Switchboard is committed to cultivating welcoming and respectful learning environments for all learners. Our team members, consultants, and partners bring wide-ranging professional and personal experiences, including lived experiences as refugees and newcomers to the U.S. We actively seek out and apply these diverse perspectives when developing, reviewing, and delivering all Switchboard learning opportunities and resources. As Switchboard produces learning materials focused on specific communities or identities, we engage experts representing those communities to develop and review the content.

Scope of work

The Consultant will lead in the creation of “Haiti Backgrounder” written resource and support with other relevant resources for Switchboard. The goal of the Haiti Backgrounder is to provide a comprehensive document inclusive of the country’s recent history and ongoing displacement challenges across the Americas, current country conditions, and shed light into the experience of Haitian nationals in the US. Knowledge of Haitian Kreyol is preferred.

Deliverables:

The main deliverable is the completion of a Haiti Backgrounder. For reference, view the Afghan Backgrounder produced for Switchboard. The content of the Backgrounder will be determined collaboratively by the Consultant with the ALP and Switchboard teams and will include sections on country conditions, including recent political and social history of Haiti and human rights situation, displacement of Haitians in the Americas, US policies impacting Haitian pathways to the US and immigration options in the US, such as parole programs and temporary protected status, and context for Haitian arrivals in the US, ranging from access to appropriate services to any special considerations for vulnerable Haitian populations.

Specifically, deliverables include:

1. An outline of the Backgrounder 2. An initial draft of the Backgrounder for review 3. Review of feedback on the initial draft and development of second draft 4. Final Haiti backgrounder 5. Additional limited activities may include reviewing and revising 1-3 brief resources related to the Haitian population to be used by service providers across the US via Switchboard.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, political science and/or the equivalent 2-5 years’ experience leading robust research and content development related to complex and multidisciplinary issues related to history, human rights, policy or international displacement.

Minimum: