HDP Nexus Advisor

Organization

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Location

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Project Overview

Project Name: Qualification and Employment Prospects for Refugees, IDPs and Host Communities (QEP)

Contract Duration: Until 31 October 2027

Context

The Somali Region hosts the largest population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ethiopia, exceeding 1 million, and the second largest refugee population with over 360,000 individuals. Forced displacements result from conflicts over land access, inter-ethnic tensions, and climate shocks including drought and flooding.

The Somali Region and its capital, Jigjiga, are strategically located along a major migratory and trade route in the Horn of Africa, making the area a focus zone for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI). The Somali Regional Government and its partners—including donors, NGOs, UN agencies, and civil society organizations—are committed to coordinating efforts to leverage this potential for socio-economic development, promote peace, and facilitate the transition from humanitarian assistance to development-based interventions for vulnerable populations.

Programme Description

The QEP Programme supports the Ethiopian government in expanding skills training and creating employment pathways for IDPs, refugees, and host communities across four selected regions: Addis Ababa, Somali Region, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and Tigray.

Key programme components include:

• Expansion of labour-market-relevant short-term training
• Establishment of linkages between the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) sector and the private sector to support labour market integration
• Support for TVET colleges to become inclusive learning environments, including for displaced persons
• Tailor-made short-term technical training courses in labour-market-relevant sectors
• Development and implementation of instruments to promote both self-employment and wage employment
• Capacity development initiatives for strengthened drought resilience