Where has your drive for international development come from?
My path to international development became clear during a three month internship in Zambia. Working on the ground with a local Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), I witnessed the transformative power of economic empowerment and gender inclusion initiatives. Seeing how targeted interventions could create lasting change in communities solidified my passion for this sector and motivated me to pursue a career where I could contribute to sustainable development solutions.
What have you enjoyed so far?
One of the highlights has been attending the 'Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihoods: A Shared Future' conference, co-hosted by JOA and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. This event brought together conservation and international development experts from around the world to explore how environmental preservation can help eradicate poverty. It was interesting to see examples like forest honey production in Ethiopia's rainforests and wild cocoa cultivation in Sierra Leone, showing how conservation can go hand in hand with economically viable livelihood opportunities.
I've also had the opportunity to review Lines of Enquiry and proposals from the nine selected partners being evaluated for funding. This has given me invaluable insight into how JOA assesses potential projects across its three development themes. A virtual assessment focused on Financial Inclusion was particularly interesting, as it explored how digital financial solutions can expand access for vulnerable communities.
What are you looking forward to?
I'm most excited about gaining exposure to the donor perspective and understanding the considerations that shape project funding decisions across JOA's core themes of Dairy for Development, Conservation Livelihoods, and Financial Inclusion. Having worked on implementation in Zambia, this opportunity to see the other side from partner relations, project analysis to funding orchestration, will provide valuable insight into the full development ecosystem. I'm keen to learn how donors evaluate impact, manage partnerships, and make strategic decisions that ensure aid is both effective and sustainable.
What career do you hope to follow?
I'm approaching this experience with an open mind. While I'm committed to a career in international development, I want to make an informed decision about which area best suits my skills and passions. This 18 month programme offers a unique opportunity to explore different facets of the sector, from the donor side with JOA, understanding partner relations, project analysis, and funding decisions, to the implementation side with Habitat for Humanity, experiencing programme delivery, advocacy, and community engagement.
Habitat for Humanity
Following my time at JOA, I'll be joining Habitat for Humanity, a global organisation working to ensure everyone has a safe and decent place to live. I'll spend six months at their UK office before moving to a country programme for a further six months. Habitat's focus on shelter as a pathway out of poverty resonates with my interest in economic empowerment, and I'm particularly excited to see how their community driven approach creates sustainable change. The opportunity to experience both the organisational office and field implementation will give me a comprehensive understanding of how international NGOs operate at different levels, from strategy and fundraising to programme delivery.