From Syrian Refugee in Jordan to Tech Professional in Northern Ireland

Navigating the streets of Amman, Mohammad Danial, a 25-year-old Syrian refugee, always had a dream: a career in tech. This dream, though seemingly distant due to the labour market regulations that limit refugee access to certain sectors, was fueled by his constant determination.

Today, Danial navigates the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland, after he secured a job with Deloitte, a multinational professional services network, considered one of the Big Four accounting firms in the world.

 

Danial is one of nearly 100 refugees in Jordan who have successfully left through employment pathways in recent years, about 40 in 2023 alone. 2023 has also seen an increase in job offers compared to previous years with over 70 refugees currently undergoing visa processing for employment opportunities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, and Ireland.

Many are Syrians who – like Danial – fled to Jordan after the crisis erupted. Despite the uncertainty of his new life as a refugee, he found purpose in education. He continued his studies and landed a DAFI scholarship in Zarqa University, where he majored in computer science, a field that fascinated him since his childhood.

“I was determined to work and to improve myself. I learned English by myself by going to a language exchange club. After graduating, I joined Baaz, the first Arabic social media platform, as a Data Scientist, which refined my personality and skill set,” says Danial.

 

 

The turning point in Danial’s life was in 2023 when Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) contacted him for an interview. Three months later, Danial secured a position at Deloitte UK, thanks to a labour mobility solution.

 

Labour mobility opportunities are safe and regulated ways which allow qualified refugees to enter and stay in a third country to work based on a concrete job offer or specific labour shortages while having their protection needs met.

 

UNHCR has partnered with TBB to increase refugees’ access to labor mobility from Jordan. UNHCR in Jordan maps skilled refugee profiles, connects identified candidates with partners offering upskilling, and supports refugees to disseminate accurate information in communities.

UNHCR has been working to coordinate a network of partners in Jordan who can support refugees through English language skills, preparation for international recruitment, interview, and CV preparation skills as well as access to technology to better facilitate access to labour mobility. Thousands of talented refugees have signed up to TBBs talent catalogue resulting in a pipeline of highly qualified candidates in Jordan.

TBB, for their part, works directly with governments to design migration schemes that are accessible to refugees, playing a crucial role in the journey of each candidate, not only by matching them and their skills with job offers but also by supporting them through immigration and relocation.

 

“The whole process is a mix of overwhelming emotions and excitement. Leaving Jordan, which has been my home for the past ten years is bittersweet, but the opportunity ahead is my dream coming true,” Danial reflects.

That was not always the case. For a long time, Danial struggled to find a job, many times his job applications in Jordan got rejected, even though he met the requirements, he remembers.

 

“Working at Deloitte is not just a job, it is an opportunity for me to grow and contribute positively to the society and the refugee community,” Danial says.

 

Danial aspires to pursue further education and to continue to advance his career, as he is committed to supporting his family and ensuring his siblings have access to education, since he is the main provider of the family back in Jordan.

“Working at Deloitte is not just a job, it is an opportunity for me to grow and contribute positively to the society and the refugee community,” he says.

 

“Collaborating with partners like TBB, we are excited to support skilled refugees, like Danial, to access these solutions at a greater scale,” says Christopher Murphy, Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer with UNHCR in Jordan.

Thousands of refugees possess the skills and educational qualifications sought after in globally in-demand sectors such as healthcare, construction, IT, and engineering, Murphy explains.

 

In Belfast, where Danial currently works as an Analyst Software Engineer, he has adapted well, thanks to his determination and the welcoming environment at Deloitte. “The work culture here is dynamic and very supportive. It is an environment that encourages learning and growth,” he says.

 

 

“Living in a new culture, both socially and professionally, has been a blend of excitement and challenge”, says Danial, “but every step has been worth it.”

This also goes for his employer. “The team is excited to work with him”, says Stirling McCoy, Director, Deloitte UK. “I believe that he will bring a different way of thinking and a different experience to the team.”

McCoy highlights that Deloitte always fosters different opinions, viewpoints, and types of experience to promote inclusion and diversity. “We look for different sources of capabilities all the time,” he explains.

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