Name: Hervé Verhoosel
Job title: Head of external relations
Organisation: Roll Back Malaria
Area of expertise: Advocacy for NGOs
What’s the best part of your job?
For me the best part is the ability to influence people; you see how the direct result of what you’re doing affects the lives of others. In my role, if you are successful in your objectives, you can help change policies, international priorities, and raise money for worthwhile causes. The work you do makes people’s lives better.
I enjoy working in an international and multicultural environment. Learning new things every day from different cultures is really rewarding. Another good aspect of the work is the partnerships; putting different organisations, countries, and people together to achieve the same objective. Often, working in tropical health, what you can achieve alone is limited. But with a strong partnership, the results can be incredible.
And the worst?
I find all aspects of working in tropical health exciting, but the administrative part of the work I probably like the least, even though it’s important to do it well.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
Internships after university are important to give graduates direct experience of working in tropical health. They help you know what the job is like, and you will learn a lot and meet people in the sector.
Another key thing is to follow what’s happening in the world; read blogs, newspapers and journals. Keep an open mind. Going to events in the sector is also important. Try to go to as many events as you can to meet people. You will learn from every conversation.
What do you wish you’d known when you started?
I wish I had known that I’d travel as much as I do. As someone who comes from a communications and advocacy background, I also wish I had sought a better technical background in tropical health. But if you are a good communicator, if you like to advocate, and you are a good networker, it is never too late to learn about tropical health and malaria – even on the job.
Recommended reading
For advocacy, I would recommend subscribing to communications magazines in the UK. It is also important to keep up to date with current affairs, and follow marginal health news in mainstream media.
CV in brief
1994 Attains a masters degree in communications from Lyon University, France
1995 Works in advocacy, external relations and communications, including as a spokesman for a member of Belgian government.
2005 Becomes a consultant for the International Crisis Group and Open Society Foundation
2007 Takes the post of head of external relations at Roll Back Malaria
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