Profile

After serving in the Armed Forces of U.K. for 11 years, I was working with Save The Children (UK) for 5 years in Nepal and then with Plan International for 20 years in various countries. More recently I have worked for the last 10 years or so in conflict or post-conflict areas in Africa, Bosnia, the Middle East, Central Asia and Afghanistan, engaged in peace-keeping and peace-building work with a variety of NGOs. Although my specialties are child rights, child protection and risk management, I am now involved in the management of humanitarian aid.

Daily Activities

I am currently working a programme and security advisor for Japan Center for Conflict Prevention. I am based in Nairobi, Kenya and am responsible for providing good and timely advice for the work JCCP does both in Somalia and Kenya. As such I travel frequently to Somalia to visit our programmes in Somaliland and Puntland.
With the important task of both representing JCCP as one of their staff, and keeping up-to-date with programme and security issues in the region, networking is a vital part of my job. In addition to forging strong links with the Embassy of Japan, I also meet regional offices from UN and International NGO bodies as well as Somali organisations – NGOs. I also quite frequently visit and work alongside the International Peace and Security Training Centre in Nairobi.

Challenges, Opportunities and Motivation

My greatest challenge as a foreigner has been to gain a very clear understanding of JCCP’s mission in the Kenya and Somalia context and the necessary details that support this. Once I had gained this, then all I had to do was to work assiduously with my JCCP colleagues to ensure its successful implementation, and to communicate that success. In my case the communication is either in English or in the local language.
While this job requires a good knowledge of the subject matter and the political, diplomatic and linguistic skills needed to communicate well, it also requires a degree of courage – sometimes the courage to say “no”, a sense of humour so as not to take oneself too seriously, and a sufficient degree of humility so that I can listen and keep learning, not only from my colleagues but also from local people, refugees and IDPs. I am on my second three month assignment and I enjoy the support I get both from my colleagues in Kenya and from HQ in Tokyo, and the great satisfaction I get for this work.

Things I achieved in Nairobi

I have reviewed our programme activities in Somalia made made recommendations regarding potential new programme opportunities and funding source for JCCP, dependent as always of the capacity of JCCP to carry out such activities well.
I have carried out a similar review of JCCP’s programme in Kenya and written a proposal for which I am in the process of getting funding to expand those activities somewhat.
I am running a workshop in Puntland on lessons leant from our drought and GBV survivors programme in Puntland funded by JPF as well as security and risk management workshop In June I will conduct the end-of project evaluation in Puntland.
I have managed to get JCCP registered with INSO – the International NGO Security Organisation that covers Kenya, and further tio strengthen the links with NSP – a similar security body for Somalia. I have also got JCCP registered with UNDSS – the UN Security body. By the end of June 2013 we will have our own Trauma Bag fully equipped and everyone trained in its use. I have also reviewed the security instructions and developed Risk Assessment Tables for Somaliland, Puntland and Nairobi.

Life in Nairobi

Nairobi is a very pleasant place to live with lots to do and to relax yourself at weekends. Just about everything is available, although it is not cheap. Because I am on a short-term contract, JCCP had arranged for me to say in a hotel which is in walking distance to our office, to where my Japanese colleagues are living and very close to a large shopping mall. I want for nothing!