Home>Maximin Wion, Class of 2021
24.02.2023
Maximin Wion, Class of 2021
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?
I started my academic career in the Europe-Africa Programme at Sciences Po. It was an opportunity to study the challenges of the African continent and to meet people with multiple and rich backgrounds. After a year abroad at the University of Cape Town, I joined the School of Public Affairs.
In parallel to my master's degree, I worked with the elected officials of the city of Montreuil in order to anchor in reality the academic knowledge acquired at Sciences Po. I completed this master's degree with a gap year that allowed me to have two experiences in project management, within an association and a local authority. After writing a thesis on the territorialisation of public health, I joined Mitsio Motu in Lomé.
A WORD ABOUT YOUR COMPANY
Mitsio Motu is a start-up specialising in the construction of geographic information systems aimed at providing universal access to basic services. We collect, process and analyse data to develop tools and support public and private actors on the African continent in their decisions and the transformation of their organisations.
In concrete terms, we have, for example, carried out a complete census of a country's social and economic infrastructure, developed geoportals to support decision-making, planned the deployment of infrastructure on a national scale in order to maximise the impact of projects thanks to data, and carried out numerous consultancy missions...
Since 2018, Mitsio Motu has completed 45 projects in 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. From a dozen employees when I arrived, we have grown in 2022 to a 100% Africa-based team of 750 employees from over 8 nationalities.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUR POSITION TODAY AS PROJECT & PROCESS MANAGER AT MITSIO MOTU?
The main advantage of working in a fast-growing organisation is the possibility of working on many different issues. I started on the operational subjects of data collection management, then on the administrative and financial structuring of the company, and now on the advice to our customers and the development of new projects and markets. This career path has enabled me to master the realities of the field, the different phases of a project, and to better identify today the factors of success and the potential obstacles.
I'm lucky enough to never have a day like the last one! I work daily in a transversal manner with the operations, data, tech and development teams on current missions and the development of new projects.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR NEXT CHALLENGES?
>Participating in the development of Mitsio Motu on new markets. This is extremely stimulating because it includes discovering new geographical, institutional and decision-making areas, as well as conceptualising and developing new projects and new offers to adapt as closely as possible to the needs of stakeholders.
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID YOUR TRAINING AT THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND MORE PARTICULARLY THE SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIAL INNOVATION STREAM, MAKE TO THE POSITION YOU HOLD TODAY?
The EAP provided me with a solid background that allows me to work on a variety of issues with public, private and non-governmental actors. Thus, the skills developed in teamwork, writing, analysis and synthesis are essential in my professional activity.
The Social Policy and Social Innovation stream has also enabled me to understand the multiple facets of the challenges facing public actors in terms of innovation, public policy evaluation, impact measurement, etc.
WOULD YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE TO GIVE TO A STUDENT OR FUTURE GRADUATE?
The first is to be curious. The closer you get to the end of your studies, the more pressure you can feel if you don't know where to go and where to apply, especially if you don't feel attracted to the more traditional paths. Attending events, talking to professionals about their careers, finding out about new sectors or countries can help you discover yourself and create many opportunities.
The second is to accept uncertainty and doubts. The path presented as "ideal" may not exist, or may not allow you to fulfil your potential. Trying and daring to take the plunge will always open doors for you and will certainly allow you to gain experience.
