Novartis has redesigned and scaled our response to the global refugee crisis: going beyond monetary and medicine donations to offer an innovative, inclusive and differentiated approach that is holistic and sustainable – including a commitment to hire at least 150 and train at least 150 refugees over three years.
We support refugees, displaced people, migrants and asylum seekers, and those who work with them, through employment, upskilling, mentoring and more, helping them to integrate and restart their lives.
Refugees face many barriers to accessing jobs in their new communities – including low language proficiency; poor access to transportation, healthcare or even food; and limited social and professional networks. We invest in dedicated programs to hire and upskill refugees, playing a vital role in helping them restart their lives. Beyond employment, it`s about enabling refugees to regain their dignity, be independent, and to piece life back together so that they can thrive in their new environments and pursue their aspirations as displaced talents.
- Estelle Roth, Global Head Giving, Matching & Volunteering
VIDEO
What we offer refugees and displaced talent
Employment
Novartis provides employment to help restart careers and rebuild lives. Skilled displaced talent helps diversify and enrich our workforce, nurtures understanding and appreciation of social inclusion and brings new, valuable perspectives to our work.
To be considered for a position with Novartis, refugees must have the appropriate background and experience and be qualified to do the job. All employment decisions at Novartis are based on job-related factors, including the skills, qualifications and experience of the candidate, without regard to race, ethnicity, gender or any other characteristic protected under local law. However, Novartis supports skilled displaced talent to overcome barriers, such as building language proficiency on-the-job, alongside other upskilling, learning opportunities and mentoring to ensure a full integration personally and professionally. We encourage refugees to actively seek and apply for jobs with Novartis.
Find out more about careers at Novartis and browse or search current opportunities via the Novartis careers portal.
Learning and training
A key part of social integration is building new skills, including languages, and reskilling or upskilling where needed. It is a priority for Novartis to support refugees, displaced people, migrants and asylum seekers on that journey – with learning and training opportunities available to all. Note that reskilling or upskilling opportunities can be accessed unlinked to a specific role, but there is no guarantee of employment with Novartis when such learning or training is complete.
We offer:
- Self-led language training: Self-paced language training, delivered digitally.
- A broad range of courses and qualifications from world-class universities and companies: Free access to Learnlight and Coursera and certifications on a variety of skills, subjects, and languages from leading global universities including Yale, Stanford, Duke and many more.
Every number has a story – my journey to Novartis as a Refugee | Novartis
How we partner with non-profits to help tackle the global refugee crisis
Our projects are partner-led and we are committed to listening to partners’ needs and collaborating fully with them on an end-to-end journey.
In the past year, through our refugee program, our people have given to, and volunteered for, many of our strategic partners. Projects include mentoring LGBTQI refugees with sessions on career planning, resumés, interview skills and networking; supporting refugee entrepreneurs who need help with social media and digital marketing skills; and helping Ukrainian women integrate via our mentorship program across 11 countries.
Our people give and volunteer with partner organizations on projects that address their greatest challenges with a focus on nurturing long-term strategic partnerships with organizations where our people’s generosity, time and skills can make the most sustainable impact. Our bold refugee program delivers sustainable impact for society, our partners and our people, and helps us embody societal impact as a core business objective.
- If you are an organization or agency supporting refugees, find out how you can partner with Novartis for positive, sustainable social change here.
- If you are a displaced talent, seeking employment or support, visit careers at Novartis.
VIDEO
Our program
The Novartis Giving, Matching & Volunteering (GMV) program currently targets four refugee groups, via five interventions, with seven of our non-profit partners.
In the past years, global giving and matching campaigns have raised significant amounts to help refugees. Our people have also offered a huge amount of emergency support and longer-term assistance to assist refugees with adjusting to their new lives.
And Novartis committed to going even further in 2023 by hiring at least 150 refugees and training at least 150 refugees globally over three years. This commitment is included in our ESG tracker of public commitments. In addition, Novartis signed, for the second time, the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) open letter calling on the private sector to deliver ‘new and ground-breaking solutions’ to the refugee crisis. Proper work authorization in local jurisdictions is required for program eligibility.
Increasing access to medicine is only part of the solution to the global refugee crisis. Our innovative refugee response unleashes the power of our people, providing skills-based volunteering, housing, mentoring, education, employee giving and community activities to refugees around the world. Our additional commitment to hire at least 150 refugees and train at least 150 refugees over three years builds on our work to-date and helps further build a truly holistic and sustainable program.
- Rob Kowalski, Chief People & Organization
Find out more about Novartis Giving, Matching & Volunteering.