University degree: Licence - equivalence Master
Job: Investment Climate Department
Company:The World Bank Group
Can you tell us about your career path?
Upon graduating from the Institute in 2003, I joined Medair, an international humanitarian aid organisation, where I helped Angolan refugees re-settle in their home country, after the end of the civil war. I then took various free-lance and consulting contracts with various organisations, including the UNHCR, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the World Bank. For the past couple of years, I have been with the Investment Climate Department of the World Bank Group.
Why did you choose to study at the Institute?
I was drawn by the explicit international and multidisciplinary focus, as well as the strong emphasis on economics. I really saw studying at the Institute as a launching pad for a career in international development policy, which worked out well. Additionally, among peer world-class institutions, the Institute was the one providing the best academic value for money, as far as I could tell.
Did you work during your studies?
Only seasonally at the International Motor Show in Geneva, a well-paid job attracting many students from the Institute. I also did occasional pro bono work for an NGO operating in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Mauritania.
What is your position within the World Bank and what are your responsibilities?
My department, known as FIAS, advises governments of developing and transition countries on how to improve their investment climates for domestic and foreign investors. I am currently a Junior Professional Officer (JPO), funded by the Swiss Government. I specialise on helping client governments design tax policies and administration, as well as business regulations, that are efficient, fair and business-friendly. As a result of this work, we expect to see more investment, economic growth and job creation.
Why did you choose a career in international development?
I was volunteering with an NGO doing community work in Southeast Asia when the financial crisis broke out in 1997- 98. This opened my eyes to what it meant to be poor and vulnerable to external shocks, something I had been sheltered from, having grown up in Switzerland.
I felt at that point, and still feel the same, that it was my responsibility to use my resources and potential to help people in low-income countries find a way out of poverty and vulnerability.
What advantages did the Institute give you from an intellectual point of view?
First, I would say it helped me understand the international scene in which I am now developing my career: its history, dynamics and main actors. Second, it equipped me with useful analytical tools, especially in economics and political economy. I think, however, that I would have appreciated a stronger focus on practice, especially given the proximity of international organisations in Geneva and the practitioners that work there.
What advice would you give to students wishing to pursue a career in international development?
Get some field experience, working in a developing country for an extended period. This usually begins with an NGO, for instance, where entry thresholds are lower than in international organisations. Also, get some solid technical skills (anything relevant from finance to environment) before you try to join the World Bank, or similar organisations. Finally, do not give up. Job hunting right out of school is always tough. But if this is really what you want to do, there will be a way. Just be persistent.
In your opinion, what qualities are important for a successful career in international development?
First of all, I think you need passion and perseverance, as only long-term commitment can bring about lasting changes. Also, I would say good interpersonal as well as communication skills, which is probably common to most careers, but always essential. Finally, and more specifically, the ability to deal sensitively in multicultural environments is key, as well as a definite willingness to travel frequently.
