Where has your drive for international development / the humanitarian sector come from?
For some people, their career aspirations are clear from the moment they choose their GCSEs. For others, passions evolve over time. I started my academic journey studying for a degree in Environmental Geoscience. While I loved knowing that the knowledge I was gaining could be used for something positive, I struggled to see how I could align my career with a long-term purpose.
That began to change when I had the amazing opportunity to intern with Innovest Advisory, an impact investing advisory firm. During my three months with them, I was introduced to the world of impact—what it is and why it is an essential component for all sectors moving forward. This experience sparked a newfound interest and a drive to deepen my understanding. Innovest’s support and the transformative nature of my time there gave me the confidence to embark on my travels with a fresh mindset.
With my environmental perspective now coupled with an understanding of impact and development, I set off on a solo journey to Southeast Asia. This new perspective shaped how I saw the world, and I was fortunate to stay with two organisations actively supporting their local communities. At GetPlastic, they were designing a machine which would convert their plastic to fuel, alleviating communities of some of the waste they could not have collected. At Manengkel, this was by implementing projects which would restore their local ecosystems, creating opportunities for employment. These experiences were instrumental in affirming my desire to pursue a meaningful career that combines environmental science and impact-driven solutions.
What have you enjoyed so far?
Becoming part of the JOA team has provided a wide variety of tasks for me to sink my teeth into! My favourite so far has been reading the reports submitted by JOA’s NGO partners (Non-Governmental Organisations). It’s been fascinating to see their progress—whether it’s connecting rural communities to stable financial systems, setting up dairy infrastructure in areas with low nutrition rates, or supporting local organisations and experts in designing alternative agricultural methods to stimulate economic growth. Observing the innovative approaches within each theme, particularly their strategies to prioritise local knowledge and inclusion, has been both a privilege and an incredible learning opportunity as I start out in this sector.
I’ve also had the chance to engage with the first round of the selection process for new projects and participate in the related decision-making to date. This has included internal discussions within the team, where JOA’s supportive approach fosters genuine encouragement and values the input of their programme associates. I’ve also had the opportunity to join external conversations with technical experts in areas such as conservation and dairy.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m truly excited about the upcoming months at JOA. I’ve been fortunate to join during the height of the annual project selection process, giving me invaluable insight into the entire journey from start to finish! This month I will have the opportunity to review and help assess a dozen international projects across JOA’s three development themes. This will allow me to learn how projects are weighted and selected, participate in formal discussions with JOA’s board of Commissioners, and deepen my understanding of how full proposals are developed and written.
In addition, JOA organises free public events that provide all islanders with an opportunity to learn more about the international development and humanitarian sector. I will be involved in organising the first educational event of the year, which will focus on inclusivity—a topic I am excited to help bring to life.
JOA is committed to giving its programme associates as much hands-on experience as possible. For me, this includes an expedition to Madagascar, where I’ll visit one of JOA’s funded conservation livelihoods projects: VAHILA: Resources for the Wellbeing of People and Nature to Achieve Development. As an environmental scientist, this is an incredible opportunity to see conservation strategies in action—ones that prioritise both environmental protection and the improvement of social and economic wellbeing.
What career do you hope to follow?
I have entered this internship with an open mind! This is a unique opportunity to experience various areas of work, including volunteering, communications, multi-year international development projects, and humanitarian aid (both emergency and protracted). I aim to fully apply myself and learn from JOA’s experts in each of these fields.
Additionally, I hope to gain as much insight as possible into the monitoring and evaluation process. I am deeply passionate about advancements in the sector that enhance accountability, ensuring projects are designed and implemented to create genuinely impactful results. The monitoring process employs a scientific approach to evaluate what works and what doesn’t across different settings and objectives. This ensures JOA’s funding is utilised in the most efficient and effective way possible.
British Red Cross
As part of my 18 month programme associate role I will be joining the British Red Cross at their headquarters in London this Spring. This is an extraordinary opportunity to be part of an international network—the branches of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provide assistance tailored to the unique needs of each country around the world. Being a part of this network, and contributing to an organisation that delivered crucial aid to Jersey during the Occupation, is truly special. I will learn from the international teams focusing on international projects and hopefully end up a useful, contributing member.