Becky in Sudan

Becky is the Senior Program Officer for East and Soutern Africa and works with Sudan and Kenya. She supports all the Sudan and Kenya programs - responding to the needs of the field staff, writing and editing proposals, liaising with donors, helping with recruitment of new staff and theirtransition to the field (visas to Sudan are complicated), and generally acting as a gateway to headquarters for the field staff. She also assists the public affairs team in D.C.

How long have you worked here?
Since March 2008

What's a typical day like?
The first one or two hours I communicate with the staff in the Sudan country office through Skype, dealing with the immediate issues that I need answers to before their office closes for the night.  I edit documents, work on proposals for grants, and work with the legal department.  I answer questions about Sudan for other people and assist my regional director who works in Nairobi.  I work on programming, paper work such as processing raises and descriptions, talk to Human  Resources, and help advocate for the staff in the field.  I also read during the day -blogs, articles, etc - to keep myself updated on the region.


What are some of the perks of your job?  And some of the challenges?
Some might say travel, although travel to Sudan might not be such a perk.  I love what I do, and by working in the office I'm learning the nuts and bolts of how to run a program from the headquarters standpoint.  I also feel satisfied and happy with my work, knowing that the work I do here allows for the work in the field to take place.

It is difficult not being in the field because that is my true love.  The time difference (Sudan is 11 hours ahead of Portland) makes everyone there seem pretty far away and can create a bit of a disconnect.


What's your educational background?
I attended the University of Georgia for my undergrad business degree.  I received my masters in Law and Diplomacy, specializing in Development Economics at the Fletcher School at Tufts.


What did you do before Mercy Corps?
I have had a lot of jobs.  I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic and then worked as a program manager for Habitat for Humanity for 2 years.  I went to grad school and then managed an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp in Darfur for the IRC (International Rescue Committee). Following that I worked for Mercy Corps in Indonesia, then as a disaster specialist for CHF International, and finally ended up in this position.


Where are you from?
Georgia

What experiences led you to choose this career?
The Peace Corps was the main one.  After college I worked in business for a couple of years and didn't really find it satisfying.  I joined the Peace Corps and since then I have been working in non-profits and all over the world.


Who inspires you and your work?
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Lincoln were the first people I was exposed to who spoke of and worked for social justice.  Amartya Sen is an incredible development writer (he wrote Development as Freedom).


What motivates you?
I want to work in a career where I am trying to give something back.  It may or may not work, but we're always trying.   I also find it to be academically interesting.


Where have you traveled?  Have those experiences shaped your approach to
your work?
Most of South and Central America - Peru, Boliva, Brazil, Dominican Republic.  I traveled by land from Costa Rica to Los Angeles, California and so saw all the countries in between (except El Salvador).  I've also been to Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Trinidad, Bosnia, Europe.

The Inca Trail in Peru was a particularly inspiring hike.  All the countries I've traveled to have helped me understand my place in the world and how it all fits together.

What skills do you need to work in International Development?  Any ones that
surprised you or you didn't learn in school?
Develop a thick skin while still maintaining the ability to sympathize or empathize.  This is a must in order to maintain your sanity while working in difficult situations. Having a sense of humor is very important as well as the ability to be flexible and go with the flow.  Don't sweat the small stuff, and learn to find enjoyment and value in little things.

Any advice for students considering a career in this field?  Activities,
experiences, courses of study...
In general, you need a Masters Degree to advance in this field.  I would recommend getting experience first, for me that was the Peace Corps.  In this way you'll be able to more fully understand and add more to the conversation in your graduate studies.  Getting the experience in a developing country may entail interning or volunteering, and will likely be unpaid.  However it is necessary in order to find out if this is really what you want to do, as well as laying the foundation for your future work.

Become a specialist - water/sanitation, engineering, peace educator - these skills make you valuable to an organization and makes finding the right fit a bit easier.


What do you do to stay sane/motivated/fresh?
In the field it takes some creativity.  While I was in Darfur, we brought DVDs along and would use a projector to watch them on the walls of the compound.  Playing games, cooking using whatever random ingredients you can come across, doing yoga, and watching tv all help keep you entertained.  It is also important to connect with people.