I have learned so much about Ireland’s political, economic and cultural relationships with Africa, and how we contribute to peace, prosperity and sustainable development abroad. Soon, I’m moving to Indonesia to become Deputy Head of Mission at the Irish Embassy in Jakarta. All this after just two years.

I studied Law and Business and qualified as a Solicitor before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs.

My role is so varied, supporting the management of our bilateral relationships with Anglophone and Lusophone, West Africa. It means keeping abreast of the political, economic, security, development and humanitarian situation and to prepare briefings. Recently we’ve been working closely with the team in Nigeria and preparing for Ireland’s tenure on the UN Security Council.

I also have an economic function to promote Ireland’s trade and economic objectives in Sub-Saharan Africa. In my first twelve months I visited both Nigeria and China in the course of my work.