Work...

Anyone reading the descriptions of my Solomon life on this site could be forgiven for thinking that life here is literally a beach… descriptions of work are notable by their absence I sense. Judging by the questions I’ve received in emails, this has not escaped the notice of my more eagle-eyed friends and family. Questions have ranged from the innocently polite (“How and what is work?”), to the coaxing (“Tell us what you do in a typical day?”), and more commonly the indignant and abusive (“Will man, get your arse off the beach and do some f***ing work you lazy bastard” was one peach). While this last is not technically a question, the widespread (mis)perception it reveals has persuaded me to take action and actually write a few words on what it is I’m doing here.

There are actually good reasons why I have so far avoided writing about this topic. First, it has taken a fair bit of time for me to get a sense of what the work will involve. Second, the blog being public and all, I was wary of writing things that people at the Central Bank might inadvertently read; although writing a blog provides a great motivation and structure to keep a record of my life here, the downside of the medium is catering for the diversity of people reading, so apologies if any of what I write causes offence, and if any friends etc want to know about aspects of life here less fit for public consumption then please email and I promise I won’t mince my words. Thirdly and probably most decisively, it requires less effort and is more entertaining for me to write about geckos, earthquakes and picnics than it is to describe work. But here goes.

I am in the Solomons as part of the Fellowship Scheme organised by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a British research think-tank. Have to say that it is nice, after years of being ignored, to finally be officially recognised as the “fellow” that I clearly am. The scheme is mainly funded by DfID, though I’ve been told my particular placement is funded by the Australian equivalent (AusAid), but it is ODI that coordinates with governments in the various countries and undertakes the selection of candidates and organisation of placements. Each year about 35 post-graduates get postings in Commonwealth countries in Africa, the Pacific (and Guyana), and all, like me, are on a 2-year placement (by the way, anyone interested in applying – Caroline? - should note that the deadline is approaching).

My particular posting is in the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), see photo above. A Central Bank, for those not totally clear, is no Barclays or Natwest, but is the government agency responsible for monetary policy in the country. Here in the Solomons where political instability, corruption and conflict have been rife in recent years, CBSI has played a crucial role in maintaining monetary stability and helping to hold the economy together, and has a justified reputation for being a rock of independent rationality and uncorruptability in a sea of murky politics. My own job within the Bank, I found when I arrived, is as the Senior (and at present only) Analyst for research in the Economics Department. Providing analysis and policy advice to the government is a key function of the Central Bank but, lacking any such department before I arrived, research at present is very limited and ad hoc. Many of the projects I undertake will be in response to the regular requests by heads of departments and the Board of Directors on a wide range of monetary and macroeconomic issues. Others I will be able to choose myself, offering scope to delve into the issues of most interest to me. One of the big challenges is going to be the hugely limited quality of data and information available, so helping to improve the information available for the Bank will be another key task.

At present it is way too early to predict the contribution I might make, and equally to gauge the quality of the experience that the job will give me. But things look promising. In contrast to my job at ACTED, which started off fascinating and got steadily less interesting once I had got all I could from the experience, I sense that this position will provide an increasingly complex and rewarding challenge as time passes. One great aspect is that in an economy the size of the Solomons’ you have a unique ability to see its workings in great detail. Every sector and almost each transaction can be observed in minute detail, like looking down from above on a model village. And this feature, I feel, means the job will provide a great experience and insight.

More on work and the economy of the Solomons will come in time, insha’Allah, but for now I’m off to feed my geckos and head to the beach.