Akshaya, Research, Assessment, and Monitoring Officer at the UN World Food Programme

Akshaya Jose Devasia has graduated in International Security with a concentration on Global risks and Diplomacy. Coming from India, she works as a Research, Assessment, and Monitoring Officer at the UN World Food Programme in Cambodia.

>What are your role and main responsibilities?

I'm mainly involved in the work around generating evidence about the key drivers of food insecurity in the country, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in global food prices, and how they impact various marginalized communities differently. I also support the work we do on mainstreaming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion into our survey design and analytical frameworks and support the work on partnerships with the Government towards enhancing national capacity on data analysis and reporting.

How did you secure this role?

I interned with the same unit during my third semester at PSIA which gave me the chance to both understand the organizational mandate and functions of WFP, build strong context-specific knowledge, and get to know the team well.  

What is the most fascinating and/or surprising aspect of your role?

I applied to about seven internships in WFP before I got a call back for this one - the one I thought I'd be least qualified for. What I love about my work is the steep learning curve I get to experience as every project I work on is quite distinctive. For example, one week I'm traveling between different Cambodian provinces interviewing key government officials on the operational challenges they face co-implementing WFP's School Meals Program while the next week I'm developing a dashboard to dynamically track local and national market prices of food commodities. 

How did your PSIA experience help you with the role?

PSIA's pedagogical focus on learning to synthesize and present complex topics in short briefs and presentations is an important career skill that I use frequently at my job. Studying at Sciences Po helped develop my intercultural communication skills which are very beneficial in an international working environment and the degree is helping me to understand and map the strategic interests of different parties (countries, donors, I/LNGOs, and other stakeholders) operating in the same geographical context.

What advice would you give to others? 

One read as much as you can, it helps you understand the world better and to stay abreast of academic thought and innovation in your field. Two, take advantage of your organizations/public LMS'. I found really useful online courses given by J-PAL, and FAO that's helped me understand my work better and broaden my portfolio. I also think a lot of recruitment is based on luck, so I'd say apply to as many opportunities as possible, you never know what will work out!

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