care international development masterclass
TRANSCRIPT
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.1
MASTER CLASSUniversity of Sussex
May 5th 2010 3 Sections
1. Geoffrey Dennis
2. CARE International
3. Advice and Ideas
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Section 1: Geoffrey Dennis
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• Summary of Career to date
• How I came to be in my present role
• How my career is progressing – managing working life
• Difficulties
• Future plans
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Section 2: CARE INTERNATIONAL
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• Background of CARE International
• My Role
• What do I enjoy
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Section 3: ADVICE
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• Attitude• Skills• Useful Training• Ways professional bodies might have
helped• Tips – interviews, CV• Volunteering• What I know now, that I wish I’d known
before• CARE International - ideas
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Section 1: Geoffrey Dennis
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1.The Early Years
First degree in Business Studies/Economics
Industrial Year - Esso Oil Company
Finished my degree – then joined Esso as:
• Investment analyst – London• Transport supervisor – Glasgow – language and
couldn’t drive.
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Sussex University:
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Sussex University – MA in Urban and Regional Studies
Why Sussex? – good hockey team, played for University
and Sussex County
Ran out of money, so initially worked in a restaurant in
Brighton and Falmer Bar
Then joined Cunard to finish my dissertation
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Commercial Sector - Consultancy
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Consultancy multinational – joined as economist,
set up department then division, then promoted to
Main board.
2nd Consultancy company as CEO
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Charity
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Decided on a complete career change:
British Red Cross – International Director (5 years)
International Red Cross – Country Director, DPR
(North) Korea (1 Year)
International Red Cross – Regional Director, South
Asia, based in Delhi (Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and
Bhutan). (3 years)
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Charity - Continued
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Returned to London – CEO large homeless and
elderly care charity
CEO CARE International, UK and now main board of
CARE International Globally, (6years)
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Stages in my life – why change
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Esso Assesment and future
Cunard Opportunity to get involved in overseas development
1st Consultants Head hunted
2nd Consultants Decided on career change
Red Cross - London Desire to work overseas
Red Cross - overseasChance to be a CEO of a very interesting charity
Homeless/Elderly Care Charity Chance to head CARE International
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
How my career is developing
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• Held a discussion at No.10 Downing Street with Gordon and Sarah Brown on maternal health
• Spoke as the key note speaker at the Institute of Civil Engineers annual event with Princess Anne
• Spoke on stage at the Brixton O2, live with Kaiser Chiefs
• BBC National TV and Radio 4 today programme on Haiti
• Slept in a sleeping bag amongst the rubble in Haiti
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
How my career is developing - Continued
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• Meeting with Boris Johnson in Copenhagen
• Joined the Chairman’s Charity Board of Barclays with Paddy Ashdown
• Spoke at a golf club in Surrey – they raised money for CARE in Haiti
• Interviewed by the Times of India
• Slept in a truck stop in Bangladesh
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Highlights of my Career
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• Escorted Princess Diana
• Being kissed on the cheek by Jordon – fortunately only on the cheek
• Having a meeting with Bill Clinton
• Meeting with Queen – several times
• Meeting with Kofi Annan
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Who is CARE International ?
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• CARE originated globally in 1945
• Food packages to Europe at the end of 2nd World War
• CARE is now one of the largest international aid organisations
• Works in over 70 countries
• Assists more than 65 million people worldwide every year
Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Who is CARE International – Cont.
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• Emergencies - Haiti- Indonesian
earthquake (shelter)- Madagascar
(cyclone preparedness)- Niger (food and
security)- Pakistan
earthquake (shelter)- Tsunami (shelter)- Peru earthquake
(shelter)- Gaza (livelihoods)
• Long-term work - Livelihoods, Governance, Conflict, Education, Micro Finance, HIV/AIDS, Climate Change, Private Sector Engagement
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Gaza Destruction
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Gaza Agriculture
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Bangladesh - Rehana
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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Section 3: Advice and IdeasGeneral:• Volunteer work - Rockinghorse Appeal, Trustee &
Chairman• Apply – get used to interviews - e.g. Homeless and
Elderly charity• Spread the net – you will be amazed• Interns• Talk to people• Seek advice on sectors-who’s good, which charities
offer the most opportunities for entry etc.
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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
CVs:• Maximum 3 or 4 pages
• Easy to read – bullet points
• Layout
• Understand someone will scan it very quickly
• Don’t lie, but do have 2 or 3 really strong points
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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Covering Letter:• One Page• Make it really positive• Be polite, finish with, ‘I would really be delighted
to be given the opportunity…..• Explain why you want to work for that
organisation• Really want it
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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Skills I have learnt:• Running a business• Listening• Being able to change my opinion• Be quiet when things are going your way• Managing people• Assess people – then when you can trust them
give them space• Don’t worry unnecessarily• Be one step ahead
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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
Useful Training:
• IT Skills
• Rapid Reading
• How to deal with difficult people
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Interviews:• Be polite• Be very smartly dressed• Listen• Have some key points you want to get across• Look people in the eye• If asked to give a presentation – stand up• Have a page handout of key points• Don’t talk too much• Have at least three questions ready to ask, but only use two
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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
What I know now, that I wish I’d known before:
• What my wife’s mother was like
• Be tough with time-wasters – there is too much to do in life
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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.
CARE International:
• Volunteer position during the summer
• Research posts
• Adverts
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