Sharing Our Human Resource Expertise with Kenya
By Lori Cooper
I first became involved with IPAC International Programs when I responded to an email. The organization was looking for human resource practitioners to volunteer for a project in Kenya, and I thought that this would be a great opportunity.
Following the submission of my resume, I was selected to be part of a five-person team of human resource practitioners from across Canada. The varying perspectives that we brought from our different provinces and our collective experiences were of great value to the team. The team was fantastic – goal-oriented and collaborative. We worked very well together to deliver on our project.
The project appealed to me on many levels. First and foremost, I was excited by the prospect of working at an international level to assist an emerging nation on a large scale. Having always marveled at the struggles of emerging countries, I wanted to do something concrete to assist with governance for the ongoing development of a nation. The objective of the project was to assist the Office of the President’s Kenyan Reform Secretariat with a strategic plan for human resource reform within the public sector. The Government of Kenya recognized that it did not have the right people with the right skills in the right places to achieve their objectives. It had been acknowledged that the Kenya Public Service was too large to adapt to and keep pace with the reform agenda. Thus our task was to develop a strategic plan and implementation plan to assist with reform of the public service. Our aim was to tailor processes to help the public service modernize, deliver services more efficiently, and enhance its capacities. As changes to any government’s staffing is no small initiative, the overall project is likely to take 5-10 years (post-election issues may also prolong the process).
The experience was very memorable. I have always enjoyed other cultures and learning about new places. To be able to use my professional knowledge in a different environment was highly rewarding – full of both professional and personal highlights. Typical of most African countries, years of poverty have certainly taken a toll on infrastructure. Roads and sidewalks were in a state of disrepair – the traffic issues make rush hour in any Canadian city look mild! The offices where we worked provided a more colourful environment than what we were used to at home. To learn and see first-hand how a country has developed from a British-ruled country to one of self-governance was moving. It was impressive to see how the Kenyans with whom we worked truly loved and believed in their country. The commitment to improved life for Kenyans was a top priority on the government’s agenda and at the heart of our initiative.
By becoming involved with IPAC International Programs, I gained a new appreciation for the Canadian political system. While learning about the Kenyan struggle firsthand, I realized how much is taken for granted in our own political system. Thus my greatest reward was the sense that I was helping to make a difference, joining the public service staff in the pursuit of excellence in political governance, and contributing to a developing country’s movement forward.
This experience not only gave me the opportunity to contribute to Kenya’s development, it also helped to enhance my consultation skills and learn new human resources practices. I can now say that I’ve experienced first-hand the implementation of 100-day planning. It was amazing to see how large and complex projects can get completed in only 100 days. I really feel that opportunities through organizations like IPAC International Programs can only make you a better person and professional. To step out of your comfort zone and gain knowledge from other countries is an enriching experience. It makes you see your own country and workplace in a whole new light. It is often said that the best way to learn is to teach something to someone else. Such an experience makes you realize how much you really know about something. This can really help you grow and become more confident in your own abilities as a professional. In this way, IPAC shares public administration best practices and fosters two-way learning across Canada and beyond its borders!
Another benefit of participating in this project was the opportunity to do some traveling after my work had been completed. A Safari in Africa is an absolute must. I spent time in the Masi Mara among thousands of Wildebeest. While standing feet away from a black-maned Lion as he cleaned his face after the morning feed, I felt as if I had entered the surreal. Equally memorable was the experience of snorkeling in the teal blue waters of the Indian Ocean while a leopard eel hissed at me and starfish like blue and purple dinner plates floated before my eyes.
All in all, the experience of volunteering for IPAC International Programs was a rich experience on both a professional and personal level. The experience has certainly aided in my growth as both a human resource professional and public servant.
Lori Cooper is Executive Director of Human Resources Management Services at Alberta Children and Youth Services.
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