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Getting into International Development The Careers Group – University of London, April 2009 Jo Kemp – Research Consultant Intern. Who are theIDLgroup and what do we do?. theIDLgroup is a small international development consultancy firm based in the south west of England.
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Getting into International Development The Careers Group – University of London, April 2009 Jo Kemp – Research Consultant Intern
Who are theIDLgroup and what do we do? • theIDLgroupis a small international development consultancy firm based in the south west of England. • We have 23 employees across our four offices: East Africa (Uganda), West Africa (Ghana) and East Asia (Vietnam), UK (Bristol) • We work with: • Multilaterals e.g. World Bank, EU and UN agencies • Governments e.g. UK – DFID and national governments • INGOS/NGOS e.g. Oxfam, World Vision, CARE etc. • We have been operating for 20 years.
Areas of work at theIDLgroup • Services we provide: • Research/policy analysis • Change management • Facilitation • Training • Support to advisors • Interim secondments • Programme design • Project management • Monitoring and evaluation www.theIDLgroup.com
Research Consultant Intern (October 2008 – April 2009) • Project cycle • Business development • e.g. networking events (ODI Social Protection in Africa), procurement websites • Preparation of proposals • e.g. Uganda Social Protection (DFID), Nepal Inclusive Growth Centre (DFID), • Liberia Outgrower Strategy (World Bank), Monitoring and Evaluation (AusAID) • Support senior staff in fee earning projects • e.g. peer review of reports, support in the development of a M&E framework • for Women’s Land Link Africa (WLLA), World Vision FFA/FFW review • Project management • e.g. logistics, invoicing, contracting…
Research Consultant Intern (October 2008 – April 2009) Developing company and professional capacity • Organising and participating in training sessions e.g. Brown Bag Lunches, theIDLgroup annual get together • Research and writing policy brief e.g. “Linking relief and development – integrating development principles into relief programming for better livelihoods outcomes” (World Vision and www.theIDLgroup.com)
What I enjoy…. • Variety • Advantage of working with a range of clients • Fast paced environment • Collegiate environment • Learning environment • Relates to global events • Opportunity to work overseas
6 month rolling internship programme April-October; October-April theIDLgroup provides: • A living allowance of £12,000 pro rata • Experience in a consultancy environment • Full involvement in all of our training courses • You won’t be a dogsbody! Things we look for: • ‘Can do’ attitude • Team player • Good writing skills • Ability to use initiative • People skills • Research Skills
How did I get here? 2003-2004: Gap year voluntary work 4 months teaching English in Nepal 1 month project researcher with Fulcrum Challenge, India 4 months project work with Raleigh International, Fiji 2004-2007: BSc Economics and Geography 2005: 3 months work with local NGOs in Ladakh, India Women’s Alliance Ladakh, The Leh Nutrition Project, Fulcrum Challenge, Saboo Government School 2006: Internship with Rt. Hon. Sir Malcolm Bruce MP and Chair of the Select Committee for International Development, House of Commons 2007-2008:MSc Globalisation and Development, SOAS Save the Children, (P/T) Volunteer, Development Education 2008: UNICEF India – Research Internship (May-August 2008) 2008- 2009: Research Consultant Intern (Oct 08 – April 09) Research Consultant (April 09…..) ODI fellow (2009 – 2011)
Getting into international development • Be proactive • Go to your careers service, networking events…. • Talk to as many people as you can, find out how they got their jobs… • Find out what interests you! • Be patient • The competition is fierce. 200+ applications for the April-October 2009 at theIDLgroup • Have a plan, but don’t stress if you don’t have one • Be prepared to volunteer/do unpaid work • Investigate ways of funding volunteer work e.g. grants, fundraising, P/T work • Take advantage of opportunities at university • Societies, courses, languages, networks, research work • Learn a language • Get a masters • Overseas experience • Write a good, concise cover letter and CV!