I’ve been working in international development for about a decade now. I have worked for NGOs, contractors, the US government, and a UN agency. I’ve been an intern, a manager, and a technical specialist. I’ve been in charge of programs in East Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. I’ve been to four of the world’s most dangerous places. The biggest portfolio I ever had was about fifty million dollars, and the most fun I ever had was running a country program in Turkmenistan. I’ve got an undergrad degree from Georgetown and a Master’s in Public Health from Boston University. I speak decent French and Uzbek and some Russian, Arabic, and Urdu.
Contact me:
she’s also a caring mother and terrific sister
Hi Alanna. Just a short note – I think the link to Pyjama Samsara is broken, or Vasco has ceased updating her blog.
Best
Phil.
She’s stopped updated for now, because of her job and location, but she emailed me personally and promised she will someday update again.
I just now found your blog and find your writing insightful, helpful and interesting. Most of my work is in/on Sudan-South Sudan but I am gleaning much from your experience and exegeses in international aid!
Thank you. I look forward to reading more.
Dear Alanna,
I trust my this text will find you well. I just read about you and it seems you had a very interesting career time. The good thing which i like the most is your deep knowledge of Humanitarian and development work and the way you offer you expertise and advises to the People. I have done my MBA from my Hometown Peshawar, Pakistan (its a border city with Afghanistan). Then i went to UK and did my Masters in Governance and Development from IDS, University of Sussex. I am working in Development sector from the past three year and had a diverse experience of working with Terrorism effected and flood affected communities. Have worked and traveled to one of the most dangerous area of Pakistan, and of South Asia i.e. FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan). Currently, i am working with IOM in OTI Pakistan.
I hope that i can get some advice of yours on my career. I hope to hear from you soon.
I am planning for UNV these days as well.
Best
Abbas
Well…., great blog. I appreciate your contribution to the field of I/D. I go to know about this from Chris Blattman’s blog. Just one issue- Why would you charge anyone (students) for career advise, though? I don’t even pay for journal articles while writing my thesis for God’s sake!!!
”It’s $2/month and well worth the cost”—If you can charge only 2 dollars, then you can as well afford not to.(it wont have any implications on your mortgage) I know there’s time invested here but then again, even the busiest, craziest academics give career advise gratis, just saying:)
Also, It’s ironic that you’re involved with international development. I would understand if it was someone in the field of investment banking- we know they don’t give a *@?%
This reminds me of some guy in Kenya (my undergraduate) who used to give information and advise on scholarships in developed countries at a fee. You know in Africa, where I grew up, many bright kids miss out on opportunities just because some people control information that they can not afford to access. Imagine if those people took it upon themselves to make sure everyone gets that juicy information regardless of their background. Hope you understand:)