QUT Alumni, 31 October, 2022
Having always had an interest in international development, it is no surprise that Economist, David Blackman is responding to the United Nation’s (UN) call to action to protect the environment and to end poverty.
Based in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, David is supporting the United Nation’s efforts to provide evidence-based advice and assistance to achieve the nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Alumni Team caught up with David to learn more about his global career.
What does a typical day look like and who do you engage with?
My position involves understanding economic and social developments in Sri Lanka and providing advice to the Resident Coordinator (the UN’s in-country representative of the Secretary-General) on how these developments shape the work the UN in the country.
Our work has been very fluid in the last few years though a typical day can often involve briefing the Resident Coordinator on economic developments; technical assistance and analytical capacity to UN agencies; and participating in technical-level discussions with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank.
Which UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) are you most passionate about and why?
With 17 SDGs in total, there is a lot to choose from! That said, one area that could benefit from greater investment is SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. This area covers the UN’s efforts towards domestic resource mobilisation – that is, the ability of countries to sustainably generate their own revenue that can be used to finance essential services like education and healthcare. It also covers improving statistical capacity, which is crucial to diagnose policy problems, and to tell us whether activities from agencies like the UN are having the impact we want them to, and in ways that we expect.
You have worked in Indonesia, London and now Sri Lanka, did you pursue international opportunities, or did this inadvertently happen?
In short – yes, though like many careers it has been a unique journey! Since my time in high school, I’ve had an interest in working as an economist, especially one that works on international development. QUT’s Corporate Partners in Excellence program and the Honours degree program from the School of Economics and Finance provided an excellent foundation to start my career in the Australian Public Service, where I built a comprehensive toolkit in macroeconomic analysis through my work with Australia’s Treasury and Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
I was very excited to be afforded the opportunity to work as a development economist in the Pacific region with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which I think also helped me pursue further study in international development at the London School of Economics. As for working with the United Nations, I feel I was in the right place at the right time. I joined the institution as part of a global intake of economists to help strengthen the UN’s ability to provide technical support to countries to help achieve the SDGs.
What do you enjoy most about your job/industry?
I most enjoy the varied nature of my work in Sri Lanka. On any given day I can be part of conversations about food security and nutrition, employment, public finance, or data-related issues, and I feel I can draw on every part of my skillset to make a positive contribution to the work of our institution.
How has your degree equipped you for your career?
My QUT degree has been instrumental in helping me to understand the economic frameworks that underpin public policy problems. I also find that the flexible, multidisciplinary nature of the broader Bachelor of Business Degree has given me a good working understanding of concepts in international finance and international business compared to graduates of more traditional economics programs in other universities.
What is one skill you couldn’t live without and why?
As a professional economist I would say the ability to use Microsoft Excel. Economics is a discipline that crucially depends on the use of data to construct an evidence base. Having the tools to analyse, interpret and present data quickly and accurately supports best-practice decision making, and is something I strive to do in any situation. I’m reminded of the quote from American Engineer W. Edwards Deming that “Without data you're just another person with an opinion”.
Do you have any advice that you would like to share with student and alumni?
As someone who applied unsuccessfully for more than one hundred jobs following graduation from one of the most well-known economic schools in the world, I always like to talk about luck, and what it means.
At many times in our careers, we will be receivers of good luck – be it a phone call from someone, or the right job becoming available at the right time. The majority of these things are beyond our control, but through understanding what it is we desire from our life and/or careers and preparing ourselves accordingly, these small slices of luck can become pivotal slices of luck.
Do you have a question for David? Connect on LinkedIn or send a tweet to @DBlackmanUNRCO.