Developing the Soft Skills Required to Lead from Behind

Developing the Soft Skills Required to Lead from Behind

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Dr. Oscar BEKAKA-YOULE DOBINET, Doctor, Economist and Public Health Manager in developing countries, International Expert in Applied Vaccinology.

GFF Liaison Officer, Bangui, Central African Republic

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The GFF is a country-led global partnership. All activities are carried out under the country leadership through the Government Focal Point.

As a Liaison Officer of the Global Financing Facility (GFF) for more than three years in the Central African Republic, I contribute to this by deliberately and intentionally standing back to support the Government Focal Point and help the country achieve its objectives. My role is to facilitate the process without occupying the role or taking on the responsibilities of the Government Focal Point. In particular, I ensure the availability of all information, logistics and documents required to lead the process.

Developing the Know-How and the Required Soft Skills

 The Liaison Officer is involved in many tasks – which requires not only anticipating the process needs, but also mastering the Government vision and permanent communication with the Government Focal Point.

Leading the process from behind requires specific soft skills, including absolute humility, knowing that success / obtaining results belongs first to the Government Focal Point and then to the team that assisted the process.

It was initially difficult for me to adapt to this situation, given my previous work experience with the Ministry of Health where I had to lead the process and make decisions on behalf of the Department of Health.

This transition from the front of the stage to the backstage was facilitated by the GFF team. In particular, the GFF Secretariat Focal Point is an invaluable anchor and reference point for the Liaison Officer and provides ongoing advice and guidance. The GFF “knowledge and learning” team provides resource materials and tools as well as discussions to try to address the main concerns of liaison officers. The webinars and trainings organized on a regular basis have helped me a lot to strengthen my skills and become versatile. This support enhances my ability to support the GFF process in the Central African Republic, from behind the scenes.

In three years of practice, I also had the opportunity to meet and work with senior government authorities, development partners, the private sector and civil society. I also had the opportunity to work with renowned experts (i.e. national and international consultants), particularly in the process of developing the investment case. Not only did I learn a lot through these actors, but I was also able to strengthen my relational skills and further develop the soft skills required to carry out my responsibilities.

In short, to adapt to the principles and requirements of the GFF, I gradually adopted a new way of working and new attitudes, including friendliness, flexibility, dynamism and anticipation.

What advice would I give to a new GFF Liaison Officer?

In addition to the technical skills required in the field of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition, a Liaison Officer must be open and humble; ready to learn and have a good team spirit.

A Liaison Officer must be able to support the Government Focal Point, and this, in a constantly evolving context. Acquiring and strengthening the right know-how and soft skills in a specific context and in a given timing are decisive in this. Proactivity and rigor in this area also essential aspects of the Liaison Officer’s soft skills.