Where has your drive for international development come from?
I developed an interest in foreign cultures and history early on in secondary school and came to be particularly interested in matters concerning global inequality and injustice. I knew I wanted to centre my career around addressing these issues, and identified the international development and humanitarian relief sector as one where I could play a positive role in facilitating sustainable, local-centred initiatives that combat them.
I was therefore delighted to come across the JOA Programme Associate internship quite a few years ago now, and have since bored many of my poor university housemates over the years about how amazing the scheme seemed… constantly. When I finally approached completing my undergraduate degree, I applied. To my surprise, and ironically mere hours before my dissertation on humanitarian communication was due, I got the call from JOA, and I've been searching for what the catch was since!
What have you enjoyed so far?
The internship is a lot more than watering JOA's many office plants. So far, conducting a review of JOA's social media channels, undertaking accredited training courses on international development created by sector-leading organisations, and helping to review reports from project partners on various JOA-funded programmes have all been highlights. Learning more about the global humanitarian architecture has also been particularly interesting, be it through tasks, like compiling project data to send to the United Nations' Financial Tracking Service, or attending meetings, like one with the Start Bangladesh Donor Council.
I would also say that the team and work culture at JOA has been an unexpected highlight. The team are all knowledgeable, friendly, and extremely patient (the latter maybe less so for Sybil, the office dog), and I've already been warned by Programme Associate alumni at how painful leaving them will be.
What are you looking forward to?
Apart from my twelve-month placement in London (which I'll get to later), I am excited to undergo Hostile Environment Assessment Training sometime in October with my colleagues. HEAT is designed to upskill its participants with the skills, knowledge, and attitude to improve their personal security in hostile environments. As JOA staff are often required to travel to countries where standard safety awareness is required, I look forward to testing my mettle and enjoying some high-stress bonding time with the team.
What career do you hope to follow?
Though I echo the sentiment of previous interns regarding wanting to keep my options open, I've also had a real passion for and interest in humanitarian relief. My brief time at JOA thus far has confirmed this, so obtaining any role relating to this is something I am aiming for in the future.
British Red Cross
In January, I begin the next phase of this internship, working within the British Red Cross until 2028. Approximately two of these twelve months will include working overseas with the programme team, alongside their partners, on programme implementation.
Its strong reputation and notable size meant that I was very much aware of the British Red Cross throughout my studies at university, as well as from the role it played in supplying lifesaving aid to Jersey during the island's occupation in World War Two. Understanding what enables the British Red Cross' revered humanitarian operations to function across the globe, particularly its approach to providing Cash and Voucher Assistance in humanitarian crises, is something I'm really excited for. I'm deeply grateful to know I'll soon work there.
Concluding remarks
So far, I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at JOA as a Programme Associate. I'm slightly terrified that I've already completed over half of my JOA-stint already, so am determined to make the most of my remaining time here.
I would strongly encourage anyone thinking about applying to the Programme Associate internship to do so, or frankly any opportunity with JOA. The best way to keep updated with when these opportunities become available would be to sign up to our newsletter. Shameless plug, though I'll end this blog with a link to it!
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- Moses