Andres, Consultant and Auditor at Synergy Global Consulting new

Andres Aponte Novoa has graduated in the Master in International Security. Coming from Colombia, he is consultant and auditor at Synergy Global Consulting in Paris, France. 

What is your role and main responsibilities? 

As a consultant and auditor, I advise clients in fragile contexts on audit and supply chain due diligence, human rights and social impact assessments, training and capacity-building, responsible sourcing of minerals, and stakeholder engagement against international standards. I work mostly with clients in the mining, Oil and Gas, and infrastructure sectors in different geographies including Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. My main responsibilities include: Perform assessments and audits of companies’ management systems in the mining (ASM/LSM) and oil and gas sector; Design, develop, and conduct trainings for capacity-building in auditing and supply chain due diligence; Conduct social and human rights impacts assessments and design mitigation plans; Develop and submit technical and financial proposals for business development; Manage project, conduct stakeholder engagement, and participate in fieldwork missions; and mentor junior staff.

How did you secure this role? 

During my second semester at Sciences Po, I interned at the OECD and wanted to work for the Responsible Business Conduct Unit in the responsible sourcing of minerals and supply chain due diligence.  However, the OECD team did not have any positions at the time, and therefore connected me with Synergy. I interned at Synergy during my third and fourth semesters at Sciences Po. During the third semester it was a full-time internship, whilst in the fourth it was part-time (50%). 

What is the most fascinating and/or surprising aspect at your role?

Every project is different and you are always pushed to go out of your comfort zone. Every project is a new challenge because the clients’ needs and interests are not the same. It is not enough to have technical skills. You also need to develop a polyvalent profile to learn how to manage them, engage stakeholders, and conduct fieldwork missions. In other words, as a consultant you are required to learn who your audience is and thus adapt your pitch, in this case, in Spanish, English and French. 

I also conduct fieldwork missions to visit clients. This is perhaps the most enriching aspect of my role, leading me to visit countries that I never though I would go to, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cote d’Ivoire. 

How did your PSIA experience help you with the role? 

I chose Sciences Po because I knew from the beginning that I would have the opportunity to do an internship in the third semester. In other words, I knew that the internship was my opportunity not only for securing a job, but also for doing my life in France. 

Sciences Po offered very interesting courses – for instance, on stakeholder engagement and risk analysis – led by practitioners that enabled me to develop core skills required in my field, as well as to be exposed to real life scenarios and propose actionable solutions. 

What advice would you give to others? 

Never be afraid of taking risks and stop being shy when thinking if you should reach out to someone that might help you connect with the person/organisation you want to work for. That is how I obtained my job. Job applications and cover letters can sometimes be painful and fruitless. However, if you apply for a job through a formal channel, do not hesitate to do it even if you do not tick all the boxes. Feel confident applying for jobs for which you may not fulfil all the requirements. You may be surprised how good it can go. 

• More about the Master in International Security
• More about Synergy Global Consulting