National Careers Week: Derek Oakley Talk

During PSCHE lessons all Middle School pupils and Year 12 students heard a talk from Derek Oakley, who is a consultant working on systemic approaches to poverty reduction using a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach.

Derek has more than 15 years’ experience working with charities in the UK and International Non-Governmental Organisations overseas, including spells living and working in Lebanon, Nepal, Palestine, and South Sudan. Much of his work has been focussed on protecting civilians in situations of armed conflict.

His work currently involves a combination of project development, support and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) research, and training design and delivery with clients among whom are UN agencies, government departments and embassies, investment funds, and INGOs.

In 2019 Derek graduated from a PhD programme in Education and Social Justice at Lancaster University, having completed the course and thesis research and writing part time , all while working around the world. His thesis focussed on the relationship between situated learning, gender and power within a specific humanitarian community of practice.

We are very grateful to Derek for sharing his time, his insights and his profound expertise.