SomaliNet Forums

Since you are into Int'l Development, I had a quick question for you. If you are looking to go overseas to work on a development project, are the field opportunities mostly posted out in the field or would it be at the home office ?

sxb why is it every somali goon wants to work for the UN.

Orgeones,

I have no interest working for the UN.

So what do you do for a living ?

because they pay well and you get to travel alot!

Usually home office.

Navy9,

I am asking because my niece graduated from college and was interested in working overseas in the ID field. So I advised her to find a job at an org. that as in the ID field and to work there for at least a couple of years b4 venturing overseas.

She was planning to go to vacation in Nairobi and search for opportunities while out there.


Leila2007:

U also get kidnapped or shot working for the UN. I worked as a consultant for this DFID funded organization in Central Africa but made sure to dress like a local and drive in a beat up taxi so I wouldn't attract any attention

Abdi

She needs to work and get some experience in that field before relocating to places like Nairobi!

I was once posted to go and work in Mogadishu this is 5 years ago. Someone told be that I will get killed as they dont like to see women working. I just quit lol

I wont go and work in the field to be honest with you. If it is traveling to major cities that is fine as they pay well esP if you have experience and expert knowledge!

Leila2007,

I wouldn't have been scared to go to Xamar before the Wadaads & The TFG. Things were better those days and I would have had ample security.

But I do agree with you about getting several years of experience and building a network of connections. A lot of these job postings are "mere formalities" since most of them are already taken but the org (esp. the UNDP-Somalia office) wants to appear to be obeying its HR rules.

Yep I agree nikujuna most of the time. What pains me is how Kikuyus work and get top jobs with Somali based organizations in Nairobi yet Somalis who are qualified with local knowleged and language cant get jobs.

Someone needs to do investigatory journalism with hidden cameras and post it to CNN/ BBC walahi!

Leila,

Its because Somalis don't respect the authority of other Somalis. This Somali guy who works in Hargeisa told me of a story of how the organization hired a well qualified SOmali woman and she could not get any respect from her peers. She was replacing this foreigner but the staff gave her a hard time. She got frustrated and left to be replaced by another foreigner. The staff respected the foreigner and did not give him a hard time.

So say you get a position, they (Somalis) will give you a hard time if they know you are Somali. I always pull out "I am SIJUE" & totally ignorant of Somalis & their past/culture. It gets to a point where I don't even converse with them in Somali.

Lol that is true

I wont even try. I have seen enough in somalinet to want to work for any somali organization even though I will contribute massively!!!!!!!!

Plus if I am in charge people will respect me by FORCE lol . I am a woman remember!

Leila2007,

I have worked in organizations that interact with Somalis. There has been a lot of debate on whether I was a Somali or Ethiopian since I kept my distance & was always very professional.

Abdi

In that case you dont look somali miya !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!