What is your current position?
International Individual Consultant-Media, at the UNDP in Rwanda
What attracted you to your program of study at the BSIA?
The MIPP program at BSIA is a unique opportunity that piqued my interest. Despite being new to Canada and unfamiliar with the school, I was fortunate to discover it through my passion for policy formulation and my background in media and journalism. The program’s focus on exploring complex global issues and the potential for impactful internships were compelling draws. I felt like I had found a platform where I could combine my skills with a deeper understanding of international affairs, paving the way for meaningful contributions.
What was the most impactful experience you had while completing your graduate degree?
I had numerous enriching experiences, particularly during the BSIA graduate fellowship project with Global Affairs Canada (GAC). However, what truly stands out are the invaluable networks and connections I forged within the BSIA community. These connections have not only had a significant impact on me but have also fostered my personal growth and development. For instance, Professor Alistair Edgar has been a pillar of support, guiding me from FIPP to MIPP and even during my internship in Rwanda, sharing his time and knowledge and offering advice. Similarly, my spring term professor, Emel Bozcam, went above and beyond to connect me with people in Rwanda and maintained regular Zoom communication with me, ensuring I was doing well personally and in my volunteer role at the UNDP. I am deeply grateful for these experiences and the support from my professors, especially these two.
Tell us about your job, what do you do?
As an international individual consultant-media, my primary responsibility is to document Rwanda’s 30-year media development journey. This involves examining the historical and evolutionary context of the Rwandan media industry before, during and after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. In my documentation, I take into consideration the contributions and achievements of various stakeholders, including the government, the UN, and other development agencies, in the development of the Rwandan media industry in the post-genocide era. I intend to highlight the gaps and challenges and propose practical and actionable recommendations. I have four deliverables to produce, which include an inception report, a draft report, a final report, and a Media development offer for the UNDP in Rwanda. My day-to-day activities involve deep research (where my MIPP and GAC project research experiences become very instrumental), and engaging various stakeholders through key informant interviews to gather first-hand information, deeper insight, and diverse perspectives of Rwanda’s media development for the past 30 years. I am excited about the invaluable wealth of knowledge, skills and experience I stand to gain by the end of this assignment.
How does your work help make a difference?
If I had to sum up the beautiful East African country of Rwanda in one word, I would say “resilience.” I feel incredibly privileged to be in this country and to contribute to its transformational journey. My job gives me the opportunity to preserve Rwanda’s media history while analyzing its evolution. I am meticulously documenting key milestones and examining their impact on Rwandan society, providing invaluable insights for policymakers, media professionals, and international development agencies like the UNDP in Rwanda, who are working towards media development in the country. My final report and media development offer would not only inform evidence-based interventions but also promote accountability, transparency, and the advancement of media freedom, pluralism, and professionalism. Through my work, I believe I have great potential to catalyze positive change, foster informed decision-making, and contribute to the sustainable development of Rwanda’s media ecosystem. While I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to make a difference, I am confident that my work will make a lasting impact in Rwanda.
What are the next steps in your career progression… where do you see yourself going?
To be honest, I don’t have everything figured out yet, but that’s perfectly okay. I am taking things one step at a time and enjoying every moment of my current position, thanks to my incredible supervisor, Aimee Muziranenge, a program specialist and head of UNDP’s transformational governance unit. She believed in my professional capacity and entrusted me with this significant role. Aimee, and Mr. Maxwell Gomera, the former Resident Representative of the UNDP in Rwanda, who is now the Resident Representative for the UNDP in South Africa and Director for the UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, have significantly contributed to shaping me into the person I am today, right from my internship journey with the UNDP in Rwanda to my current consultancy job position, and I want to seize this opportunity to appreciate them.
That said, I have always known that I want to work in International Development, particularly with the UN. Since my current role is short-term, I am happy to continue exploring the same or similar opportunities in the UN. In addition, I have had my eyes on Natural Resource Canada’s signature Policy Analyst Recruitment and Development Program (PARDP) for some time now, which I am happy to explore in future. I am excited and confident about the countless opportunities and positions that await me.
What advice do you have for a potential student looking to complete their degree at the BSIA? Or for someone looking to work in Global Governance and International Policy?
During my final days of studying MIPP, a young lady walked into the BSIA, accompanied by her mother. She was a student at Waterloo University and had heard a lot about the MIPP and MAGG programs at BSIA, both of which provide outstanding opportunities. She was having difficulty deciding which program to select, so she came to BSIA to interact with the BSIA community. I had a delightful conversation with her for nearly an hour. Also, during my time as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at WLU, I had the opportunity to interact with some students at Wilfrid Laurier University about BSIA’s programs. Although the BSIA is a popular choice for students, some of them were hesitant to choose MIPP because they believed it was too rigorous. I hope that in all of those interactions, I was able to provide them with some valuable advice. And now, my advice is to “Just Do It”! I took the MIPP program as a new immigrant, experiencing the Canadian culture and weather for the first time, and succeeded and now I am doing what I love and am passionate about. Take that bold step, and if you can’t do it alone, then, you don’t have to because the staff and faculty are always available to help. Whenever I asked or requested a time after class or during office hours, no faculty ever said no, and everyone was extremely helpful throughout my MIPP journey. Lastly, if you have the opportunity to volunteer or participate in the UN internship program, please do so. I took the chance and did the post-graduate internship with the UN, and it has not only enriched my knowledge, and personal and professional growth but also enhanced my skills and broadened my network, setting me up for boundless career opportunities.