Staff profile: Sion McGeever

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Sion joined DFID in October 2005 as the first entrant on the new Technical Development Fast Stream (TFS). He currently works as an assistant infrastructure adviser.

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

I provide infrastructure advice and support, partly to our Iraq programme and partly to our Head of infrastructure within DFID’s Policy Division. Eventually, I will be working full-time for the Middle East and North Africa Department (MENAD), covering work in Iraq, Palestine, Yemen and the region as a whole.

My first degree is in Engineering (1997), after which I spent six years working for Nestlé in a variety of operations management roles, firstly in the UK, then in Australia, with the last two years spent in Fiji.

I grew up in Africa and have always been aware of the acute differences in wealth and opportunities between different regions of the world. My time in Fiji finally convinced me that I wanted to pursue a career in development. I left my job, signed up for a Masters at the University of Sussex in Environment Development and Policy and applied for the Technical Fast Stream, and here I am today.

Describe your typical day

Since joining DFID, I don’t think I’ve had a typical day. There seems to be so much to learn and I’m constantly pinching myself to see if I’m dreaming. Generally, I split my week between the Iraq program and my work with Policy Division. This means I can go from writing a briefing note on infrastructure and pro-poor growth, to a video conference with our offices in Basra and Baghdad discussing the future of the reconstruction effort in Iraq.

I’m currently based in London, but the nature of the TFS means that I will be posted overseas in the next one or two years - something I’m very much looking forward to.

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What does it feel like to work for DFID?

It feels great! Although I enjoyed my time working for Nestlé and learned a great a deal, I find DFID more rewarding, more diverse and much more interesting. I particularly enjoy the working environment.

People at DFID care about what they are doing, and tend to be working in their chosen area of interest. They are therefore incredibly enthusiastic. This enthusiasm is infectious and, although this may seem hard to believe, coming to work is a real pleasure.

I've found that DFID has a healthy approach to work/life balance and strongly encourages people to maintain reasonable working hours - this helps me perform better at work and makes me a generally happier person to be around.

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What is the most important thing you've learned since working for DFID?

I’ve learned that development is a messy business, that there is not one solution or approach for each situation and that there is still a lot of work to be done towards the Millennium Development Goals

Also, I've been encouraged to discover that DFID does indeed practice the approaches it preaches. Every effort is made to ensure development programs are country-led and donor coordination and harmonisation is at the top of the agenda.
I’ve also learned that in development you can never expect to know everything about anything and that there is always something new to discover.

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Any advice for someone who wants to work in development?

Do it! It’s fantastically rewarding, always interesting and more importantly, it means you are trying to answer the questions that really matter, and in some way work towards addressing the ridiculous imbalances that exist in the world today.

I would thoroughly recommend the Technical Fast Stream scheme. Although the application process may seem daunting and drawn out, it is well worth the effort. The exposure you get is at times frightening, but incredibly stimulating. The support is fantastic and the opportunities only limited by your own efforts.

It doesn’t seem to matter if you don’t have a strictly development background, what is important are the skills and enthusiasm you bring to the job.

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