Writing for aid and development organisations

Moving from journalism into the aid and development sector may have been a case of poacher turned gamekeeper, but I was attracted by shared values and a supportive work environment.

As Head of Press & Publications for the Refugee Council (then known as the British Refugee Council), I oversaw the relaunch of two regular newsletters, one aimed at institutions and policymakers, the other developed with and for the UK’s refugee community. I wrote, edited and coordinated reports, policy briefs and studies of specific refugee crises, which were regularly picked up by the mainstream media.

Subsequent roles with Oxfam and CAFOD covered media relations and supporter publications, trying always to convey engaging human stories and the dignity and resourcefulness of beneficiary individuals and communities.

The “gamekeeper” role was at its most challenging in the year I spent working for UNICEF in East Africa, when I became painfully aware of the political constraints limiting UN humanitarian agencies’ ability to speak out. I might have had an anonymous hand in a couple of revealing articles in the UK media at this time!