Skills of the future? 3 high-level leaders weigh in

Leadership is now more than ever about empowerment and bringing more actors to the table — not fewer, Shawn Baker, director of nutrition at the Gates Foundation, told Devex at this year’s European Development Days in Brussels. Devex, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development and Population Services International, recently conducted a survey of its community of more than 600,000 development professionals to find out what they think the next generation of development professionals will need to be successful. Eighty-four percent of respondents identified that in 10 years, the technology, skills and approaches used by those in this sector will be significantly different than they are today — results that were reflected in conversations with high-level leaders at EDD. Learning is “two ways” now, and the focus is more on helping small organizations build their own systems, according to Kaday Mansaray Sibanda, regional director for Voluntary Service Overseas in Southern Africa. Development increasingly focuses on technical exchange, innovation and understanding how to get value for money, according to Mark Dybul, executive director of the Global Fund. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or budding development professional — check out more news, analysis and advice online to guide your career and professional development, and subscribe to Doing Good to receive top international development career and recruitment news every week.