Seeing the complete picture

Balma Yahaya recently completed a Masters by Research degree in international development while working in highly demanding positions with the United Nations Development Programme. He began his studies as Head of Sub-Office in Hargeisa, Somalia, and is now head of the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People which is based in Jerusalem, Israel.

Mr Yahaya’s thesis explored the effectiveness of delivering aid through NGO intervention at the community level. He believes his research has helped him to further his abilities to provide assistance to people affected by long-running disputes.

“My research project into development in Ghana has helped me to develop skills and knowledge which is assisting me with my work in Gaza. It has helped me build my information-gathering skills and has strengthened what I know about the importance of seeing the complete picture,” Mr Yahaya says.

He regularly meets with officials from the Israeli military to negotiate the movement of important supplies, such as food and medicine, through blockades, and to ensure development, such as the construction of schools, can take place in the region.

He also provides information and support to those at the top level who engage in talks regarding the activities of the Israeli military and Hammas of Palestine.

“I report to Jens Toyberg who is the Special Representative of the UNDP Administrator. I provide information about the situation on the ground to all major stakeholders including the Quartet, headed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. I provide information which may help improve conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance or development projects for the suffering people of Gaza,” he says. “My studies helped me refine my skills in gathering information and realising what information is relevant.”

To be an effective negotiator he needs to be aware of all factors that are affecting the conflict. For example, many Palestinians have constructed small tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. These are used as supply channels and what passes through them creates what has been called the ‘tunnel economy’ which can affect the work of Yahaya and other officials.

“All parties in this conflict know the tunnels are there and they have become a known variable. There are also other factors, such as how external parties are sponsoring certain activities,” Mr Yahaya says.

It’s been difficult to write a high-quality research dissertation at the level required of the University of Melbourne while working in a position of such importance and high demands – developments in the area can take him away from his desk at any moment – but Yahaya believes a balance between study and work can be achieved by any individual if they have the dedication with the right support.

“It can be difficult to study part-time and complete this sort of work, but with the right support and resources, anything is possible. I greatly appreciate the work of Dr Violeta Schubert, Dr Victoria Foster and all other staff who have helped me with this achievement,” he says.

Dr Schubert, of the Development Studies Program at the School of Philosophy, Anthropology and Social Inquiry, says a research degree is designed to broaden students’ minds and prepare them for real-world situations.

“Our research programs in Development Studies let students delve deep into problems and situations around the world to uncover truths and facts about community development,” she says.

“With the introduction of the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, our support services are expanding and I hope we have more individuals like Balma, who have established careers and are having a positive impact in areas around the world, come to us for professional development in the future.”

Mr Yahaya’s first degree was a BA (Administration) from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. His first position in development was with Catholic Relief Services, followed by Save the Children and he soon was able to find a position with the United Nations, starting with UNICEF before moving on to UNDP.

The United Nations is one of the most desired employers for students studying development studies through the Bachelor of Arts or in the new Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Mr Yahaya advises students who are new to development studies that one of the most important aspects of working in a foreign country is to first learn everything you can about the situation.

“It is good to be idealistic, but to have a positive effect you first need to learn everything you can about the situation, including any historic and outside influences. You also need to have an understanding of what your role is and what your limits are,” he says.

Mr Yahaya says to make a difference in a volatile environment you may need to put yourself where you may get hurt.

“As a member of the UN in Gaza you are not specifically targeted, so if you do get hurt, it is because you just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he says. “But when working in Somalia I just happened to be out of the UN office the day it was bombed. We lost a number of staff that day.”


Mr Yahaya is planning to start a PhD with the University of Melbourne in 2010 under the supervision of Dr Schubert.