An Economist Abroad

Marta Dormal describes her experiences as an Overseas Development Institute fellow working with the Minister of Finance in the Republic of Djibouti.

In 2013, I became the first ODI fellow to be sent to the Republic of Djibouti, following a request by the Minister of Economy and Finance. Being the first fellow in a country is quite a unique experience: there is great deal of uncertainty about what to expect, both in terms of the working culture and the experience of living in that particular country. As I was not stepping into a well-established position, I was particularly careful at the beginning in shaping the job description together with the ministry, trying to ensure that the posting responded to Djibouti’s needs and expectations.

When I arrived in Djibouti, I was appointed to work in the office of the Minister of Finance, H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, as one of his advisors; there are seven of us in the office, working on different policy areas. Our role is to provide the minister with strategic and operational advice in our area of expertise to help him deliver on the ministry’s priorities, and also to act as a bridge with the various technical departments.

I knew I had adapted to Djibouti the day my minister gave me the instruction to proceed 'à la Djiboutienne' (Djibouti style) on a specific dossier, and I understood perfectly what he meant.

Marta Dormal, MSc in Economics for Development 2012-13

Although my position has evolved to deal mainly with private sector development policy, as an advisor I am completely at the disposal of the minister. A large part of my work involves dealing with unexpected issues that arise, which makes the work environment fast-paced and vibrant. It is an exciting time to be here, as the current minister is very dynamic: since his appointment in 2011, he has pushed forward a high number of priority dossiers and innovative ideas for the country. In particular, it has been very enriching to experience the creation with all the relevant stakeholders of the long-term national development strategy - Djibouti Vision 2035 - and its translation into medium-term sectoral action plans.

On the more personal side, I think most fellows inevitably go through different stages of the 'culture shock model': from the honeymoon period to full adaptation to the local context, and sometimes through a bit of distress. I knew I had adapted to Djibouti the day my minister gave me the instruction to proceed 'à la Djiboutienne' (Djibouti style) on a specific dossier, and I understood perfectly what he meant.

Some of my colleagues have had 30-year careers in the administration and have held very important positions, yet they welcomed into their team a much younger and less experienced foreign professional who did not know the local context at first.

I think the key to a successful fellowship lies in making an effort from the very beginning to build good relationships with your colleagues, and most importantly showing humility. Some of my colleagues have had 30-year careers in the administration and have held very important positions, yet they welcomed into their team a much younger and less experienced foreign professional who did not know the local context at first. I think the most important characteristics of an ODI fellow, before the technical knowledge, are the ability to maintain a high-achievement focus and the motivation to produce quality work with minimal resources. Combining those skills with the advice and knowledge you can learn from your colleagues is a recipe for success.