1. What is the best part of your job?
I am an advisor within the Consultancy and Project Management directorate, specialising in governance and accountability, project management, aid effectiveness and public financial management. I have enjoyed the ability to work in a problem-solving, analytical environment. Every day brings a new challenge, whether it's technical, commercial or project-related. Currently, I am based in Kampala, Uganda, as Acting Country Manager of Crown Agents Uganda Ltd. So far it has been a great experience, giving me the chance to get closer to the clients and beneficiaries, as well as seeing a truly beautiful country (just voted no. 1 travel destination by Lonely Planet!). We are also about to start the 5 year, Health Sector Accountability Project, which should bring tangible improvements to health services for the country's most vulnerable and marginalised citizens.
2. Why do you enjoy working for Crown Agents?
You never know where or what you are going to end up doing at the start of any year (or sometimes week!). I was posted to Uganda for five months having applied for the vacancy just 6 weeks earlier!
3. What has been the highlight of your career at Crown Agents?
Under our DFID Punjab Resource Management Programme I worked on the High Level Government Review project, which assessed the purpose, functions and structure of the Punjab government. It was an exciting initiative at the heart of the governance and public sector reform agenda in Punjab. Based in Lahore for 10 weeks over a 6 month period, I worked alongside a talented and conscientious team, combining local understanding and international expertise. We met all of our deadlines and appear to have influenced the government's decision-making with respect to its structure and functions, particularly as it seeks to meet the considerable challenges of the 21st century.
4. What have been your best experiences to date?
I spent a month on an extremely interesting assignment in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the Auditor-General's department, which was something of a tropical paradise with clear blue tropical waters, white sands and dolphins. We conducted two Value for Money (VFM) audits on behalf of the Auditor-General's office, identifying key risk areas and providing a set of recommendations for improving the VFM of a number of government departments.