Interview with Ayyoub, Junior Technical Adviser in Senegal: "Embrace the adventure and stay open-minded"

Ayyoub BENKHADDOU, currently a Junior Technical Adviser (JTA) in Senegal, reflects on his assignments, the lessons he has learned, and his most memorable experiences in the field.

I grew up in Luxembourg, where I completed my baccalaureate, then I went on to study geography in Innsbruck, Austria. I specialised in development studies, urbanization, and spatial planning.

My interest in development gradually took shape over the years, especially during my summer visits to Morocco, my country of origin. I witnessed the country’s evolution and transformations, which sparked a desire to better understand these dynamics.

During an internship at the Luxembourg Embassy in Senegal, I had the opportunity to observe the work of JTAs in the field up close. I was immediately drawn to the idea of being involved in bilateral cooperation, seeing how projects are managed, how country offices operate and interact with embassies and local partners. I wanted to understand the sector from the inside and gain hands-on field experience.

During my first year, I worked on the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme, which was in its closing phase. As part of this, I carried out various tasks: field activity monitoring, meetings with beneficiaries, organising missions, preparing documents for the programme evaluations, and more.

Since November–December 2024, I’ve moved to a different programme. I now handle more specific tasks across several projects, still within the vocational training sector — in particular, the FIT! Senegal Initiative and the VET Toolbox. My work includes drafting terms of reference, supporting the organisation of activities, and helping with operational partnership agreements. I also oversee the environment and climate component, ensuring that these dimensions are properly integrated into all activities.

Not at all! And that’s what made it interesting. At first, I was a bit apprehensive about it. But I quickly learned that it’s not a prerequisite — what matters most is being curious, committed, and willing to learn. In the end, I discovered a sector I really enjoy.

Very well. There’s a great atmosphere within the team, and I settled in easily. But working in a different cultural context is also a real learning experience. Simple gestures — like taking the time to go around and greet everyone in the office in the morning — take on a whole new meaning. You also learn how to interact with beneficiaries, how to approach professional relationships, to be patient, to adapt… And to stay critical — both of yourself and of the sector you’re working in.

My favourite memory is a two-week field mission I did with four colleagues to monitor infrastructure in vocational training centers across different regions of Senegal. I had only been there for three months. The mission gave me the opportunity to discover the central and northern parts of the country, to see the realities on the ground, and to ask my colleagues lots of questions about both the projects and life in Senegal. It was a very educational and enriching experience.

I’ve met so many interesting people and built strong friendships in Dakar that I think will last a long time. There were also some unforgettable moments, like a long weekend in Cabo Verde to visit a fellow JTA, or a stop in Côte d’Ivoire during the Africa Cup of Nations. The JTA experience is a whole package: highly educational on a professional level, and incredibly rich on a human level.

I’d like to continue working in the development sector. Maybe explore the multilateral world to gain a comprehensive understanding of the key players and global dynamics. This experience has really confirmed my career choice.

Have expectations, but stay open-minded. Sometimes the experience isn’t exactly what you imagined — and that’s a good thing. You need to be adaptable, take a step back when things don’t go as planned, and make the most of it, both professionally and personally.