variation

I’ve now been in my new job for two months – long enough to get a sense of what things will be like for the next few months. So here are some initial observations:

It’s really busy. I’ve worked several 75-hour weeks, and most weeks I work every day. I wouldn’t be able to keep up this kind of pace, even if I wanted to. The thing is, we work this much because there is an enormous amount to do. Rebuilding the entire infrastructure of what was once a middle-income country where thousands of government employees and private citizens haven’t lived in a fully functional society in almost two decades? There’s a lot to do.

And, I’m certainly not the only expat keeping these kinds of hours. Peter, our roommates, and nearly all of our coworkers do, too.

Despite – or because of – the hours, I’m enjoying myself. One aspect I love about the job is that I’m learning about a wide range of things. Here’s what my schedule was on Thursday:


7:15 – 7:45
Respond to emails about infrastructure finance strategies

8:30 – 10:00
Review consultant’s report on the impact of urban works projects

10:00 – 11:00
Meet with (another) consultant to discuss potential for recycling programs in Monrovia

11:00 – 12:00
Review proposed dumping fees for Monrovia landfill; start building financial model to project potential municipal revenues from dumping fees

12:00 – 1:30
Meet with representative of US Embassy and US Department of State Regional Environmental Officer; talk about trash and sewage

1:30 – 2:30
Join conference call on financing strategies for providing power to Monrovia (specifically by connecting Liberia to West Africa Power Pool in Cote d’Ivoire)

2:30 – 4:00
Edit “framework” for restructuring one agency at Ministry of Public Works

4:00 – 4:30
Meet Monrovia Mayor; discuss dumping fees, streetsweeping, and restructuring

4:30 – 6:30
Finish editing restructuring “framework”

6:30 – 9:00
Exercise, eat, drink

9:00 – 11:30
Write emails about developments in port reform, hospital renovations, and transport strategy

I really like it. For the most part, I think that what we're doing will help to improve people’s lives, at least a tiny bit.