Supporting Improved Employment for the Citizens of Kiribati
We support MCC and the government of Kiribati to enhance economic opportunities across Kiribati.
Adequate employment opportunities are scarce in Kiribati, and much of the population is engaged in subsistence activities, while formal employment is concentrated in the public sector. The youth unemployment rate is the highest in the Pacific region, and as of 2019, 52% of youth were not enrolled in educational programs, employment, or skills training.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) Mwakuri Aika Nakoraoi Ibukin Maeuraoimi project (MANIM), which translates to “Decent Employment for Everyone’s Development,” is a project facilitating inclusive employment for I-Kiribati. MANIM is also a Kiribati word meaning “good luck.” MSI, A Tetra Tech Company, provides cross-cutting programmatic support to assist the Government of Kiribati to address one major constraint of economic growth: low participation of I-Kiribati workers in opportunities for international labor mobility. Particularly, MSI provides cross-cutting program support for the four following areas:
- Program coordination support for the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources’ (MEHR) facilitated governance reform (FGR) teams.
- Monitoring and evaluation support through the Program Monitoring Hub.
- Travel and meeting support for Government of Kiribati officials and relevant program participants.
- Strategic communications support to ensure that the Kiribati public is well and accurately informed about the MANIM project.
MANIM provides FGR support to the MEHR to enhance its ability to promote equitable employment for the people of Kiribati. It also works with MEHR to address worker protection risks and related family resilience for I-Kiribati working overseas. The project’s support will provide experiential growth opportunities for Kiribati high school students to improve fundamental employment-related skills.
This project is an exciting addition to MSI’s portfolio in the Pacific Islands, which also includes the USAID-funded Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activity (PIMMELA), a three-year program providing monitoring and evaluation support to USAID’s Mission in the Philippines and across its geographic area of coverage, which includes 12 Pacific Island countries and Mongolia.