How I get My First Job with NGOs

I started my job with NGOs since 1999. My first job is with an organization called Medicine Sans Frontier (MSF). At that time, I worked as a medical doctor. So many people asked me that. How I get my first job with NGOs. Working with NGOs seemed to be proud and lots of people wish to work with but difficult to get in. But I did and I am going to tell you how.

Looking back since I graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of National University Of Laos in 1998, after that I went back to my hometown and lived with my parents. I ran a private clinic. The business grew up more and more. But I still looked for something to do. Fortunately, my younger brother, one day, told me that he had a news. MSF needed a staff whether I was interested in that. I said Yes.

Next day, I took a speed boat down to Houayxai district. I visited my relative and asked for them to take me there, MSF office by motorcycle. When I arrived, I walked in the office. There was a foreign and young lady asked me “what can I do for you?”

“I came to apply for a job” I immediately answered her without nervousness.

The young lady looked at me, smiled at me and said “We don’t have any job for you right now. There might be next year”

“No problem” I said and smiled.

“I still have something to do. I run a private clinic in my hometown” I continued

“Why are you interested in our organization?” she asked.

“Do you need a translator?” she asked before I answered.

“That would be great!” I said. After that I spoke Lao which much better and faster.

I answered her “I am interested in your organization because I see its name “Medicine” which is associated with my background. I am a medical doctor. Maybe I can help you something” I answered and a little bit clarified.

“Aren’t you interested in other issues like HIV/AIDS for example…so I will help you that if you want it”

“No I am not interested in that. I only interested in your organization”
“But we don’t have right now”

“Ok, then thank you very much. I won’t bother your time. I am going back home” I said goodbye and stood up and walked out of the office. While I was walking a few step, I heard “Just a moment please! Could you write down your address for us?”

I said “why not?” But I explained to them that I did not have the address because I lived outside of Houayxai. It is very far from MSF office. There was no telephone and took time to be there. Therefore, I gave them my relative’s address in case they had anything, they could contact my relative and then they would contact me later. In addition, they asked me to send them my CV.

I promised them I would send to them. But at that time, I had no idea what CV was. I came back home and tried to search the information from my English book. I recognized that I saw somewhere else. I looked at the Lao form. It was very confusing and difficult to translate into English. I got stuck with that.

Fortunately, I had a friend of mine. He worked with a tourist company. I asked him about that. He said when he first applied for a job. He also wrote his CV in English. I asked for it. However, it was very long format. It mentioned lots of things including parents and siblings. I cut out some and mixed with information I got from my English book and sent to MSF with certificate and my deploma for references.

After one week until I have forgotten it. But there were some one came and told me that MSF wanted to meet me. I got exited and told my parents.

I came back to MSF for second time. This time, there was another foreign woman interviewed me. She introduced herself and then started interviewing me. She asked lots of questions like what my background was, what job I was doing, why I would like to work with the organization, what I did in France when I went there, how long I stayed there, etc. The last question she asked me is “you said that you got a government scholarship for your study. So then if we recruit you whether government won’t take you back to work with them!”

I said “I could answer this question because after having graduated, some of my classmates or friends work with government, in the hospital, some work with private sectors, some run their own business, on other hands, some just stay at home and do nothing, etc.”

“ if you worry about this, I will check with the provincial health department for you” I added.

Finally, she thanked me and told me that she would get back to me soon whether they wanted to recruit me.

I left there and went to the provincial health department and checked with them but there was no information on about that.

However, I came back home for one week. My relative sent me news again that MSF wanted to meet me. The next day I quickly took speed boat and came to MSF office for the third time.

I sat on the chair inside the office and the foreign woman who interviewed me told me a good new that they accepted me to work as a medical doctor for the organization. She informed me about rules and organization and then referred me to the financial unit to get information about my salary and so on.

Conclusion is finally, I got my first job with MSF without worry and assistance from anybody inside the organization. This makes me proud of myself. However, today, I look back and ask myself why I got that job. I realize that I got that first job with MSF is not only because of my degree or knowledge. I got it because of my TALENT, GOOD PERSONALITY, and MY HONEST.

My Professional Background on Development

I just want to tell you briefly on my personal background. When you visit my site, one of you may ask what experiences on DEVELOPMENT I have.

So talking about experiences on DEVELOPMENT, I have been working on DEVELOPMENT since 1999. But most of my work associated with health promotion, rural development, project management, policy development.

My first experience on development is working for Medicine Sans Frontiers(MSF). With MSF, I worked as a medical doctor for 1 years, which was Primary Health Care (PHC). The project was in Bokeo province, Lao PDR and covered three districts-Houayxai, Paktha and Phaoudom. My responsibility was training the village health volunteers and supported the hospital on medical supplies.

My second experience on development is working for Concern Worldwide (CWW). With CWW, I worked as a community development officer for 3 years, which was Bokeo Integration Rural Development 2 (BIRD 2). The project was in Bokeo province too and covered one district-Houayxai. I took in charge of managing the project through the Project Cycle Management.

My third experience on development is working for Bokeo Provincial Taekwondo Club (BPTC). With BPTC, I worked as a voluntary consultant for 2 years, which was responsible for providing consultation to the teacher on club management, demonstration, outdoor activities and train the club member.

My fourth experience on development is working for Handicap International (HI). With HI, I worked as an assistant for organizing World Health Day for one month, which the project was Vientiane Capital. My responsibility was coordinating with mass medias, setting the stage, boost, organizing campaign and motor cycle rally around Vientiane on wearing helmets.

My fourth experience on development is working for Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation (FAO). With FAO, I worked as a consultant on nutrition education, which the project was in 3 provinces- Vientiane Province, My responsibility was following up the malnourished children, providing nutrition education, cooking demonstration, developing IEC materials.

My fifth experience on development is working for International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). With IPPF, I worked as a HIV/AIDS project officer, consultant on the project design and program officers altogether is for 5 years, which the project was in Bokeo province, covered one district- Tonpheung and in Oudomxay province, covered 2 districts-Pakbeng and Nga. My responsibility was supervising and managing the project through project cycle management.

My sixth experience on development is working for REACH (Renew Effort Against Child Hunger). With REACH, I worked as a consultant on nutrition in Vientiane Capital, which the project was joined fund by FAO, WFP, UNICEF and WHO. My responsibility was assisting the REACH facilitator to conduct the REACH activities.

My seventh or last and current experience on development is working for Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO). With FAO, I have been working as a Policy Expert (consultant) on Nutrition and Food Security, which the project was in Vientiane Capital. My responsibility was mainstreaming Nutrition and Food Security into the 7th National Soco-Economic Development Plan, coordinate and collaborate with relevant line ministries, especially Ministry of Planning and Investment.

This is my professional background since 1999. Most of them are related to health promotion, rural development, project management, policy development. In fact, I also used to work on private sectors like running a private clinic and worked as a consultant for Bokeo Provincial Taekwondo Club for instance but that is only small part of my personal background which I don't want to put here.