Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.1

MASTER CLASSUniversity of Sussex

May 5th 2010 3 Sections

1. Geoffrey Dennis

2. CARE International

3. Advice and Ideas

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Section 1: Geoffrey Dennis

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• Summary of Career to date

• How I came to be in my present role

• How my career is progressing – managing working life

• Difficulties

• Future plans

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Section 2: CARE INTERNATIONAL

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• Background of CARE International

• My Role

• What do I enjoy

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Section 3: ADVICE

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• Attitude• Skills• Useful Training• Ways professional bodies might have

helped• Tips – interviews, CV• Volunteering• What I know now, that I wish I’d known

before• CARE International - ideas

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Section 1: Geoffrey Dennis

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1.The Early Years

First degree in Business Studies/Economics

Industrial Year - Esso Oil Company

Finished my degree – then joined Esso as:

• Investment analyst – London• Transport supervisor – Glasgow – language and

couldn’t drive.

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Sussex University:

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Sussex University – MA in Urban and Regional Studies

Why Sussex? – good hockey team, played for University

and Sussex County

Ran out of money, so initially worked in a restaurant in

Brighton and Falmer Bar

Then joined Cunard to finish my dissertation

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Commercial Sector - Consultancy

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Consultancy multinational – joined as economist,

set up department then division, then promoted to

Main board.

2nd Consultancy company as CEO

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Charity

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Decided on a complete career change:

British Red Cross – International Director (5 years)

International Red Cross – Country Director, DPR

(North) Korea (1 Year)

International Red Cross – Regional Director, South

Asia, based in Delhi (Afghanistan, Bangladesh,

Pakistan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and

Bhutan). (3 years)

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Charity - Continued

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Returned to London – CEO large homeless and

elderly care charity

CEO CARE International, UK and now main board of

CARE International Globally, (6years)

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Stages in my life – why change

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Esso Assesment and future

Cunard Opportunity to get involved in overseas development

1st Consultants Head hunted

2nd Consultants Decided on career change

Red Cross - London Desire to work overseas

Red Cross - overseasChance to be a CEO of a very interesting charity

Homeless/Elderly Care Charity Chance to head CARE International

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

How my career is developing

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• Held a discussion at No.10 Downing Street with Gordon and Sarah Brown on maternal health

• Spoke as the key note speaker at the Institute of Civil Engineers annual event with Princess Anne

• Spoke on stage at the Brixton O2, live with Kaiser Chiefs

• BBC National TV and Radio 4 today programme on Haiti

• Slept in a sleeping bag amongst the rubble in Haiti

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

How my career is developing - Continued

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• Meeting with Boris Johnson in Copenhagen

• Joined the Chairman’s Charity Board of Barclays with Paddy Ashdown

• Spoke at a golf club in Surrey – they raised money for CARE in Haiti

• Interviewed by the Times of India

• Slept in a truck stop in Bangladesh

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Highlights of my Career

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• Escorted Princess Diana

• Being kissed on the cheek by Jordon – fortunately only on the cheek

• Having a meeting with Bill Clinton

• Meeting with Queen – several times

• Meeting with Kofi Annan

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Who is CARE International ?

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• CARE originated globally in 1945

• Food packages to Europe at the end of 2nd World War

• CARE is now one of the largest international aid organisations

• Works in over 70 countries

• Assists more than 65 million people worldwide every year

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Who is CARE International – Cont.

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• Emergencies - Haiti- Indonesian

earthquake (shelter)- Madagascar

(cyclone preparedness)- Niger (food and

security)- Pakistan

earthquake (shelter)- Tsunami (shelter)- Peru earthquake

(shelter)- Gaza (livelihoods)

• Long-term work - Livelihoods, Governance, Conflict, Education, Micro Finance, HIV/AIDS, Climate Change, Private Sector Engagement

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Gaza Destruction

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Gaza Agriculture

Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Bangladesh - Rehana

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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Section 3: Advice and IdeasGeneral:• Volunteer work - Rockinghorse Appeal, Trustee &

Chairman• Apply – get used to interviews - e.g. Homeless and

Elderly charity• Spread the net – you will be amazed• Interns• Talk to people• Seek advice on sectors-who’s good, which charities

offer the most opportunities for entry etc.

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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

CVs:• Maximum 3 or 4 pages

• Easy to read – bullet points

• Layout

• Understand someone will scan it very quickly

• Don’t lie, but do have 2 or 3 really strong points

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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Covering Letter:• One Page• Make it really positive• Be polite, finish with, ‘I would really be delighted

to be given the opportunity…..• Explain why you want to work for that

organisation• Really want it

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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Skills I have learnt:• Running a business• Listening• Being able to change my opinion• Be quiet when things are going your way• Managing people• Assess people – then when you can trust them

give them space• Don’t worry unnecessarily• Be one step ahead

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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Useful Training:

• IT Skills

• Rapid Reading

• How to deal with difficult people

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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

Interviews:• Be polite• Be very smartly dressed• Listen• Have some key points you want to get across• Look people in the eye• If asked to give a presentation – stand up• Have a page handout of key points• Don’t talk too much• Have at least three questions ready to ask, but only use two

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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

What I know now, that I wish I’d known before:

• What my wife’s mother was like

• Be tough with time-wasters – there is too much to do in life

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Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.

CARE International:

• Volunteer position during the summer

• Research posts

• Adverts

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