A career in development? Rewarding but tough, AIIB chief says

MANILA — International development jobs continue to be an attractive career path for young people. For those considering entering the sector, though, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Jin Liqun says “be prepared for a tough time and tough job.” Liqun, who was reelected for a second term as president at AIIB during its fifth annual meeting this week, said that working in multilateral institutions isn’t a lucrative job. People can earn more money in the private sector. In addition, at times it means having to work in dangerous places, and in very tough conditions. But working in multilateral institutions can be “rewarding.” “Your work life is rewarding, but it's tough. It's hard. I have to prepare you for that,” he said during a virtual session of the bank’s annual meeting on July 29. The AIIB chief didn’t start out coveting a career in development. He was fond of English literature — holding a master’s degree in English Literature from the Beijing Institute of Foreign Languages, which today is the Beijing Foreign Studies University — and wanted an academic life. But circumstances led him to work in China’s finance ministry, and from there to the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, and other financial institutions, where he held senior positions before becoming AIIB chief in 2016. “If you want to work in development, I would strongly urge you to arm yourselves with [the] skills to be able to operate in the digital environment and with technology.” --— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, AIIB International Advisory Panel member Meanwhile, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a member of AIIB’s International Advisory Panel, who was in the same AIIB session, said present times are challenging for young people, and even more so in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many losing their jobs. She suggested that those thinking of entering the development sector may consider how they can create jobs for themselves and employ other young people. Youth should also arm themselves with the digital skills that are becoming increasingly relevant in today’s technological environment, Okonjo-Iweala said. “I think that the digitalization of most of what we do, from education to health to commerce, this is coming down the pike. And even if you want to work in development, I would strongly urge you to arm yourselves with these skills to be able to operate in the digital environment and with technology, because with development I feel we're going in that direction,” she said. And before young people join multilateral development banks — where she has spent much of her career — she advises them to try working first in organizations on the ground, be it an NGO, a civil society organization, or a community-based organization. “Because I believe strongly that it is good to get your hands on the real things happening with people on the ground before you come into a big place where you're making policy,” said the globally renowned economist and international development professional. Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s finance minister, and briefly as foreign minister. Over two decades of her career were spent at the World Bank, where she became managing director of operations. A multi-awarded leader and published author, she holds key positions in multiple global development initiatives, academic institutions, and public and private organizations. She is currently Nigeria’s candidate for the general-director position at the World Trade Organization.