Pros
I worked with the Africa regional team. - Compared to other International NGOs working in the Development and Humanitarian space in Africa, Internews has a relatively small team and a growing portfolio so opportunities for growth and exposure to new areas of work are plenty. I say this with a caveat because it required initiative and given the organisational politics, favoritism sometimes played a role as to which staff accessed growth opportunities. - Passionate and talented team members and managers in some of the country programs - Busy work but flexible working arrangements possible
Cons
- Uninspiring and dare I say immature Africa Regional Director who did not seem to understand that leadership requires more than technical knowledge. Increasingly toxic environment under his leadership - including publicly disrespecting staff, gossip and back-stabbing. - Very poor HR practices and low investment in HR systems and structures at field level. HR staff at field level mostly non-existence, leaving senior managers and staff at the Nairobi regional hub who had limited HR technical expertise - Recruitment practices at the field level - depending on hiring manager - are laughable. Cronyism is common and contrary to popular belief about Africa and Africans, an expatriate senior manager was particularly prone to hiring and re-hiring his friends and acquaintances. - For all its talk of low tolerance of abuse and gender equality, Internews seems to condone and cover abuse of its staff. A senior manager telling a female staff member that perhaps the reason why her male colleague acted inappropriately was because she is beautiful is mind-blowing to say the least. - Seems to be a disconnect between the HQ and the regional and field level staff
