Can you describe your first day at APHF?
I was received warmly by everyone. Did I mention APHF has a beautiful office…(laughs). That environment even contributed to my calmness and settling in well.
What was your impression of APHF and how were you welcomed by the APHF team?
The Finance Intern, who had been in APHF for a while, was assigned to me. He welcomed me and took me around. One thing that stood out for me was when I was introduced to my supervisor, she hugged me. Colleagues are concerned about your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This is not always easy to find.
What did the onboarding process look like for you? Were there any specific resources or sessions that you found particularly helpful?
The support and onboarding process was smooth. Straight from my interview to the signing of the contract and my first day. I was fortunate to join at a time when they were attending the teambuilding retreat and this led to bonding with the team on a deeper level as we planned our 2024 workplan.
What did the progressive days look like? Did the support continue, and can you probably share an example?
The support continued. My supervisor did not load work on me. Instead, she took her time to teach me. I have learned so much. Also, one of the key experiences I have had at APHF is inclusion. I have been called upon to assist in other departments like communications and resource mobilisation. I also assisted in the planning of the APHF Fundraising Reception. It exposed me to a variety of skills and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
What projects or tasks have you been involved in during your internship contributing to the mission of APHF?
I have helped in resource mobilisation which was new to me, under the guidance of the Resource Mobilisation Officer. This involved assisting in writing proposals including requests for information and the accreditation process for the World Bank Pandemic Fund. This process has enabled me to learn the history and achievements of APHF. In my department, grants management, we have closed several grants reputably and in good faith. We have also onboarded one major grant since I was here, the European Union Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) Grant.
Share a memorable challenge you faced and how you managed to overcome it.
I find challenges to be a learning experience. One learning experience I had was during the onboarding of the European Union Grant. I was given the grant agreement to summarize which was such a big document. At the time, I did not have the experience of reviewing large grant contracts. Looking back, it was such a simple task. I was able to do the task by asking for help. I would send the document and get feedback and instruction on items that needed improvement.
What are some of the new skills that you have acquired?
I have acquired several skills. I have learned decision-making skills. You can articulate yourself confidently and respectfully. Another skill I learned is critical thinking by observation. These may appear like basic skills, but we tend to overlook them in contrast to hard skills. I have acquired grant management skills, report writing, MS Excel, and sub-award management just to mention a few, which you get by the nature of the work that we do.
Based on your experience, what areas do you think could be improved in the internship program?
The internship experience is good. The induction process could be improved. I did not get proper induction from the other departments.
Any professional aspirations after completing your internship and has the internship experience influenced your career goals?
My internship experience has given me an idea of what I would like to do with my Degree in finance and banking. Grant management is an interesting and unique sector of finance. I would go far in this area. On the other hand, my interest in resource mobilization has also picked up and it is why I work closely with the Resource Mobilisation Officer. Remember resource mobilisation is what leads to grant management.
What are you most excited about, as you look forward to the rest of your time at APHF?
What I am excited about is growing professionally. One milestone I am also looking forward to is a short course in monitoring and evaluation.
