What’s your job here at Itad?
I am Research Analyst within the Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings (FCAS) Practice.
What does that involve?
My role is mostly analysis, so it can vary greatly day to day. At the moment I am supporting a team of consultants to evaluate The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency’s (Sida) humanitarian partners across five countries.
How did you get into the field?
I think my first real experience of ‘the field’ was during my undergraduate degree where I worked across Morocco and Jordan with various organisations. I began interning with an environmental organisation but soon found myself working with Syrian refugees in the Middle East. From there I continued to work on community projects and fundraising within my local community in Manchester, which eventually led me to complete my masters in Development, specialising in conflict and reconstruction. After I graduated I was fortunate enough to get my first full-time job at Itad.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the amount I can learn in a week, the job really interests and challenges me on a daily basis.
What new innovations/methods have you noticed in your sector?
Most recently myself and some colleagues have begun thinking about ways in which we can better incorporate gender sensitive conflict analysis into our work, and potentially create a tool inspired by this idea. Gender sensitive conflict analysis isn’t a ‘new innovation’ as such, however there are often gaps linking gender equality and conflict. As the OECD highlights, ‘further progress’ is required within monitoring and evaluation data collection, which we are trying to explore. It is extremely important to understand the complex relationship between gender, violence and peace in order to strengthen sustainable development.
Recent highlight/job wins?
A recent highlight of mine would have to be my hostile environment awareness training (HEAT), it’s not for all, but it was really engaging and an incredible opportunity to learn some new practical skills.
Most interesting question you have been asked recently?
I was recently asked to identify the model of gun that my security instructor was pointing at me as part of my HEAT training, which was a pretty interesting question.
Favourite place you have visited as part of your job?
I am very new to my job so I have only had the opportunity to travel to London! However I will potentially be travelling further a-field to Africa around February/ March time in order to gather data for a project.
