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Staff profile: Mike Hollis

Mike Hollis, Programme Officer, Baghdad, Iraq

What do you do and how did you come to work for DFID?

I work on the Iraq programme in Baghdad, having joined DFID through the general Fast Stream. I spent my first year in Human Resources, which prepared me well for dealing with the pressures of Iraq!

Describe your typical day

Mike Hollis, programme officer, Bagdad The Iraq programme is hectic and we spend a lot of time co-ordinating between London, Baghdad, Basra, the US Embassy and our Iraqi counterparts. I work mostly on DFID’s capacity development programmes, supporting our consultants to deliver advice on budget formulation and improved public administration. I also spent three months on the Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team. While the security situation was difficult, I enjoyed the frequent contact with the Provincial Council, negotiating use of donor funds and discussing how to improve their own service delivery efforts.

Iraq country profile

What does it feel like to work for DFID?

I’m really happy to be in DFID. The Department values its staff and is genuinely committed to personal development through training, mentoring and exposure to the highest levels. Of course, this means you have to work hard to justify the confidence placed in you, but it’s definitely worth it!

What's the most important thing you have learned so far at DFID?

Mike Hollis, Programme Officer, Bagdad To keep working on our relationship with other parts of government. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget that others don’t always see things as DFID does. Working in Iraq has helped me understand the pressures our colleagues are under, and the need to adapt to different ways of working.

More about the Technical Development Fast Stream (TFS)

Advice for others who want to come to DFID via the Fast Stream?

Keep trying! It took me four goes to get on the Fast Stream. People shouldn’t assume that you only get one shot at it, or that you can’t improve. By the time I finally passed, I’d accumulated enough relevant experience to ensure that I would get my first choice – DFID.