AÍDA CHÁVEZ ZAPATA
Madrid
Summary
Strategic partnerships and labour mobility specialist with over 15 years in creating employment pathways for refugees and displaced professionals globally. As Global Partnerships Manager & Spain Lead at Talent Beyond Boundaries, drives employer engagement and recruitment initiatives, fostering connections between refugee talent and employers. Collaborates with diverse stakeholders to enhance recruitment pipelines and promote inclusive hiring practices.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Partnerships Manager & Spain Lead
Talent Beyond Boundaries
01.2021 - Current
- Built strategic partnerships with governments, NGOs, and employers across Europe, Latin America, East Africa and Asia, strengthening collaborative efforts in refugee employment initiatives.
- Designed and implemented employer engagement strategy for Talent Beyond Boundaries in Spain, enhancing partnerships in construction, manufacturing, transport, agri-food and industrial sectors.
- Led end-to-end recruitment processes by coordinating employer outreach, refugee talent sourcing, candidate screening, interview scheduling, employer feedback and stakeholder communication.
- Built recruitment pipelines with NGOs, refugee-led organisations, municipalities, UNHCR, IOM and community organisations.
- Advised employers on refugee hiring practices, international recruitment processes, and inclusive workforce integration, facilitating smoother transitions for refugee talent.
- Designed and delivered employer workshops, recruitment events, virtual information sessions and stakeholder meetings.
- Managed programme reporting and recruitment pipelines using Salesforce CRM.
- Led implementation of refugee labour mobility initiatives under the STEP programme.
- Delivered capacity-building programmes for HIAS, IRC, FCA Uganda, Asylum Access, Coalición por Venezuela, Living Water Community, YCWS Indonesia, MAP India, SEHER and SHARP Pakistan.
- Represented Talent Beyond Boundaries with governments, donors, employer associations and international organisations.
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Holacode
01.2017 - 01.2023
- Achieved international recognition from IFC and World Bank for innovative impact on refugee and migrant employment.
- Built partnerships with 150+ employers, creating employment opportunities for refugee and migrant graduates.
- Led fundraising efforts and established strategic partnerships while overseeing multidisciplinary team for programme implementation.
- Designed programmes for candidate recruitment, workforce development, and employer engagement to enhance job placement success.
- Founded one of Latin America's pioneering social enterprises connecting refugees and migrants with careers in technology.
Coordinator for Migrant Organizations
National Electoral Institute of Mexico
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Coordinated collaboration among civil society organisations, government institutions, and community leaders to foster effective communication and resource sharing.
- Enhanced institutional stakeholder engagement through strategic outreach and partnerships, resulting in 70% increase in participation.
- Facilitated communication between departments, streamlining workflow and enhancing team collaboration.
- Monitored staff performance and developed improvement plans.
- Addressed diverse customer requests through various communication channels, ensuring accurate information delivery and service support.
Head of Consular Protection
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Directed Consular Protection Department at Consulate General of Mexico in Boston, ensuring effective support for citizens in crisis situations.
- Oversaw management of complex humanitarian protection cases and coordination of multidisciplinary teams across five U.S. states, providing tailored solutions for individuals in need.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Engaged with colleagues to align efforts and reach collective goals.
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
Education
Bachelor - Political Science & Public Administration, Specialisation in International Migration
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Mexico City, Mexico01-2008
Master of Arts - Migration Studies
University of Sussex
United KingdomSkills
- Talent Acquisition
- Employer Engagement
- Recruitment Operations
- Candidate Sourcing
- International Recruitment
- Global recruitment
- Refugee Hiring
- Inclusive Hiring
- Employer outreach
- Mobility pathways
- Employment Pathways
- Complementary Pathways
- NGO Partnerships
- Employer Associations
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Stakeholder management
- Partnership building
- Program management
- Capacity building
- Strategic planning
- Cross-cultural communication
- Microsoft 365
- Google Workspace
- Slack
- Policy Advocacy
Languages
Spanish
First Language
English
Proficient
C2
French
Intermediate
B1
Arabic
Beginner
A1
Accomplishments
· Chevening Scholar, 2015-2016
· World Expo Dubai Global Innovator, 2021
· IFC & World Bank Recognised Social Entrepreneur, 2018
· Royal Academy of Engineering – Leaders in Innovation Fellow, 2021
· Seedstars Migration Challenge Finalist, 2021
· Advisory Board Member, Yaran Foundation, 2025
· Lecturer on Migration & Refugee Protection Program at Claustro de Sor Juana, 2022-2023
Timeline
Global Partnerships Manager & Spain Lead
Talent Beyond Boundaries
01.2021 - Current
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Holacode
01.2017 - 01.2023
Coordinator for Migrant Organizations
National Electoral Institute of Mexico
01.2016 - 01.2017
Head of Consular Protection
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
01.2009 - 01.2012
Bachelor - Political Science & Public Administration, Specialisation in International Migration
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Master of Arts - Migration Studies
University of Sussex