I built a career in Caribbean development from entry level to officer-in-charge in 8 years. Here's my advice for succeeding as a development professional.
Safiya Peters shares her journey to managing regional trade projects worth US$700,000, and explains why technical expertise alone won’t get you ahead in development institutions
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Safiya Peters, a 33-year-old international trade and development strategist based in Trinidad. She currently serves as Officer-in-Charge of Transport, Trade and Sustainable Development at the Association of Caribbean States, where she manages five technical officers and oversees large-scale regional projects with budgets exceeding US$700,000. Her career progression and earnings have been verified by ShortlistHR. Subscribe to read the full story.
What we cover in this story
How languages and technical skills combine to accelerate your career
How my salary jumped more than 500% in 10 years
Lessons from private-sector work in policy-making
My advice for blending expertise with influence
Managing complex stakeholder relationships in development roles
