UNTIL recently, I was before based mainly in Meulaboh where finding qualified and experienced staffs was initially difficult. However, a team for my office had to be formed quickly so largely inexperienced but sincere staffs were recruited. Many staffs had lost everything in the tsunami but worked tirelessly to help others despite their own trauma and loss.

Over the last 15 months I have fired only one staff for improper behavior. Other staffs who were working below their capacity and could not adapt to the working environment of an international NGO to the higher degree were the first ones to not have their contracts renewed once projects became smaller. It was hard near the end of operations, as some sincere and hard working staffs did not have their contracts renewed. The final team of 20 were especially great. They worked until the last day of the office despite the temptation to take jobs else where earlier. To get everything finished they worked long hours and responsibly. Over the 14 months of operations many staff had improved in skills (computer, English, filing, reporting, community engagement, and accounting) and had gained insights into aspects of work in international NGOs such as high standards of transparency and accountability.

For the Embassy, I specified Acehnese speaking ability as a condition for employment as the Embassy is supporting tsunami and conflict recovery initiatives throughout the province and recovery can be a sensitive issue. The local knowledge and language are among advantages that can help the issues be resolved more smoothly as long as local staffs as neutral.

The staffs I have now are excellent. They have good experience in various fields, hard working and sincere in their approach.

I think agencies should as far as possible employ local staffs. Sometimes suitable local people cannot be found to fill certain positions and so people from outside the region have to be recruited instead. However, local people should always be sought as a priority. This is especially important if working in rural areas where some people have had only limited experience in dealing with “outsiders”.

In conclusion I think that Acehnese who are working in international environments, most for the first time, have adapted very well. They have contributed greatly to the relief and recovery process and should be proud of their huge contribution to the effort so far. 

(A brief from Cameron Noble presentation at Seminar on “The Role of Local Human Resources in Aceh Rehabilitation and Reconstruction” convened by The Aceh Institute on March 18, 2006 in Banda Aceh. Mr. Noble is now Program Manager, Grass Roots Assistance for Aceh, Embassy of Jepang in Banda Aceh. He worked for Peace Wind, a Japanese NGO, in Meulaboh before taking his new post in Banda Aceh. His brief is based on his personal experience and observation)