What I Learned While Working in Different Organizations Over the Course of One Year – Part 1

Working across various organizations in different countries over the course of one-year sounds like a dream for some and very scary to others. From navigating cultural contexts to creating value for both sides - Here is what I learned from my first assignment.

The Mercator Fellowship – What Are You Actually Doing?

At the beginning of the year, I was selected for the prestigious German Swiss Mercator Fellowship on international affairs. This fellowship awards outstanding young professionals the opportunity to work on a topic of international relevance. In my case, the focus is on the reduction of socioeconomic inequalities. The program allows me to work with different international organizations, including think tanks, government institutions, and profit-driven entities, providing a chance to gain expert knowledge. The goal of the program is to support individuals “who are committed to improving the world of tomorrow”. The program is accompanied by seminars throughout the year and started in September this year.

The Mercator Fellowship on international affairs awards outstanding young professionals the opportunity to work on a topic of international relevance.

So, I took a break from my previous carrier of public sector consulting to dive deeper into the world of international organizations.

My First assignment at Oxfam au Senegal

As my topic intentionally encompasses a broad scope, offering numerous possibilities worldwide, I had the privilege to make a choice. Here were my primary criteria:

• Exploring a region of the world I haven't lived in or visited before.
• Working with an NGO was a priority, given my academic background in non-profit management.
• Observing how the practical aspects of fighting inequality unfold intrigued me.
• Enhancing my French language skills.

Opting for Oxfam made perfect sense for several reasons. Oxfam, being one of the largest NGOs dedicated to combating inequalities. Additionally, Oxfam au Sénégal had organized a conference with the West Africa Think Tank (WATHI) on Inequalities in the Sahel Region in July 2023, making it a compelling choice for me.

What did I learn? 

There are certainly many things I learned about Senegal – its history, culture, and people. Undoubtedly, there is a lot more to learn and a lot I do not know. I felt extremely honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to go to another country to work there. While this might not be a unique experience for many on LinkedIn who have the resources and passports to do so, it is not the case for large parts of the world's population. There are a lot of observations to share about inequality, privileges and (un)equal opportunities. However, my reflections for now are solely restricted to my work experience. Here is what I learned:

• Be flexible – after my arrival, I observed that my colleagues in my team were very busy preparing for COP28. Oxfam International had just launched the report "Climate, Equality & the Planet: 99%", prompting me to delve deeper into the topic of climate inequality and the consequences of climate change in Senegal, which are causing horrific damages, loss of lives and livelihoods. I recommend everyone to check out the studies and community stories shared here “Justice climatique: la contribution d'Oxfam au Sénégal à la COP28”. Instead of narrowing down my topic, it expanded, and I learned a lot and reflected upon how socioeconomic and climate inequality aspects are connected. My article on this will hopefully be published soon.
• Be self-aware and open to learn – Reflect on your own world views, beliefs, values, and biases and be open to learn about the culture, traditions, religions that surround you. This does not only concern the Senegalese context, but also long chats with people from other countries. This self-awareness can help you understand yourself and the cultural context in which you are constantly working.
• Facilitation requires language – in my first week, I had the chance to participate in a 3-day research workshop on accessing climate financing. As an experienced facilitator, I offered to moderate a method to create an interactive setting – in French. Fortunately, my colleagues supported me, but what seems very logical, that facilitation requires language, was a very intense experience because I did not have all the words I would have had in English, German, or Spanish to clear confusion or ease communication myself.
• This leads me to the challenge of learning the language quickly – well, I knew my French level was basic, which is why I chose a country where I would have full exposure. This approach worked in the past with Spanish and Russian, but to be very honest, I am still struggling. I had to change my teacher, and there is a significant gap between my text comprehension and speaking skills. The first teacher assessed my speaking at around A2 (beginner) level, while my text comprehension is almost at C1 (proficiency). I extensively engage with French reading, effectively handling reports and written communication. However, I struggle with pronunciation and find grammar more challenging when it comes to conversing. Additionally, considering that Senegal is a multilingual country with over 36 languages, and French is only the language brought by the colonizers, I also gave the most spoken local language, Wolof, a try. However, having a Wolof course taught in French was a bit too ambitious for me.
• Being proactive & don’t get frustrated - It's beneficial to engage with individuals outside our team to comprehend the organization, introduce yourself, and offer support if you have available resources. However, this can sometimes be exhausting when you are not perfectly fluent in a language. I can only emphasize that it almost always pays off, whether you're offering to join a field mission or providing general support. Don't be disheartened if things take time; be patient and helpful. Acknowledge that you rely on others and never hesitate to ask for help. In Senegal, where people are exceptionally helpful, and Teranga is an important part of the national identity, people will always be happy to help and understanding. 
• Clarity on your role - The term "fellow" can have various meanings, ranging from PhD research fellowships to practical insight fellowships. It was not so easy to explain what I came for and what skills I bring. To create value in a short time and work on initiatives that contribute to the organizational goals and values, it was important for me to clarify on my past work experience and how it could be applied. As said before, the goal of the fellowship is to work as a normal employee in different organizations and deepen your expertise in your topic through the daily work.

Overall, I am more than grateful for the opportunity, and I want to thank all colleagues for the support, mentorship, and collaborative spirit, and the nice farewell messages. I am sure that was not the last time I have been in Senegal.

These are some insights from my first assignment. Words can barely describe how grateful I am for having this unique opportunity and how much I value this privilege. In January, I will be meeting with the other fellows of my programme in Switzerland for seminars and to attend the HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training).

Stay tuned, where my next assignment takes me and feel free to reach out, if you have any questions on the program or suggestions for interesting institutions and people in the field.