Meet INSO

David

Function: Regional Analyst

Location: Nigeria

Nationality: Cameroonian

Tell us a little about yourself.

David, our Regional Analyst focusing on the Lake Chad Basin, says the best part of the three years he’s been with INSO are the people he’s met.

How did you come to join INSO and what made you apply?

I first came across INSO during a training course in 2018. I was very impressed with the quality of the training and how it reflected the realities we were experiencing as project coordinators in the field. I subsequently benefited from the reports, which were rich, informative, and analytical. I found it fascinating. My background is in journalism and I covered the Lake Chad Basin crisis from 2011 to 2015 when I joined the humanitarian sector. In 2020, I applied to INSO for the position of Safety Advisor. The transition was easy, and I’ve had good support from colleagues.

How would you describe your journey with INSO so far?

Challenging! There’s no time to get bored. After three years, I’ve learned a lot and I’m pleased to have contributed to helping humanitarians run their programs in complex environments. Above all, I’ve had the chance to meet some really nice people.

How do you find your journey from INSO Deputy Director Cameroon to INSO Regional Analyst for Lake Chad Basin?

These are two different positions, but there are some commonalities. The Deputy Director position requires you to work at a very fast pace, as reports often need to be produced rapidly for partners. Reports produced by the Regional Analyst take a little longer and must address issues in greater depth. This obviously requires the ability to project ahead, while sometimes also anticipating dynamics based on a collection of events dating back several years.

How would you explain what you do as Regional Analyst to a stranger?

It’s a position that makes it possible to draw connections between dynamics in several countries, so as to produce analyses that identify regional challenges to safety and humanitarian access. This kind of insight can enable NGOs to adapt their programmes to these transnational issues.

What has been your most memorable experience with INSO so far?

The opening of the Cameroon mission, which I was part of. We always learn from this kind of experience, especially in such a complex humanitarian context. But all I take away from that experience is positive.

Complete this sentence: When I’m not working, you’ll find me…

Meet as many people as possible. You can always learn from others.

What is your top tip for someone who wants to work as a Regional Analyst in INSO?

Be open-minded and curious. This job will force you to dig deeper every day. You will have to research thoroughly and meet people – a lot of people. Once you’ve collected all these elements, you have to be able to connect them and put together products that are both pleasant to read and useful for our NGO audience.

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