Subject: Certification for Lobbyist
I have a problem which cannot be solved by myself. So I want to ask a “ gurus” of lobbying (GR/ Public Affairs) to help me.
I ‘m from Ukraine ( the country near Russia ). Age 23, the educational background: “international business” – a broad economic knowledge about everything and nothing.
I started work as assistant of MP of Ukrainian Parliament 3 years ago ( In the beginning it was as internship and than MP ask me to join his staff). Also I work more than year with so-called GR (Government Relations) consulting firm which specialized on lobbying of interest of local and international companies in the Legislative and Executive branch of Power. Consulting for me is very interesting and perspective sphere. Especially, in my country “ to conduct business” without support of government is very hard, so I believe that this sphere has perspectives and may take a strong position in consulting serveries. I specialized on monitoring and networking as a Government Relation Manager in my firm.
But, I sure that I have to improve my knowledge to be the best in this sphere. So I have enough time to pass some certification program. But it hard for me to choose which one I needed.
1) Lobbying Certificate Program (LCP) - I found that it is good program for lobbyist from the US. But am not sure that the knowledge of this program is useful in realities of my country. In Ukraine we have any Lobbying legislative on something the same. More over, a lot of profitable questions are solved “ in cabinets” using bribes and others leverages of influence.
2) Project Management Professional (PMP) – I think that it is very important to conduct all activities of consulting firm in projects. So, good project management knowledge may help me to be more effective on my position and in future to climb faster on carrier ladder.
But I’m not sure that PMP is especially what I need in GR, and I have concerns that it is more for engineers or IT-specialist.
3) Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) - I know it is not closed with lobbying but I really think about passing a first stage of this program. I worked with Committee of Financial, banking, tax and costumes policy approximately 80% of my time and particular all our activities connected with some economic issues. But I believe that if you know what are you lobbing than you may to gain more benefit. More over, Finance and Economic is “new” knowledge and main part of Ukrainian officials (even in Economic related Committees ) have not any idea what is NPV, IRR and et. So I think, if I receive the deep knowledge of Finance I will be able to specialized my activity in this sphere of lobbying + it is my “insurance” to start in other sphere if I decide to give up GR. But, I am not sure that the certificate (his first stage) in Finance is what I have pass at first.
So, I want to ask you to help me choose what will be more useful for young man and help me develop the sphere of GR/ Lobbying in Ukraine.
This comment was last edited on Dec 08, 2011
Hi Yaroslav,
Well, my thoughts - and I'm certainly not a guru - are that, yes, #3 would certainly make you very attractive, especially in the areas of government/governance and international development. Having an economic and financial background could really open doors to you - if it's something you enjoy and have some skill at.
As for lobbying - I tend to look on that as much the same as fundraising. It's one of those strange jobs where it's still about your track record, rather than your qualifications. Yes, there are qualifications in fundraising and lobbying, but when you fill out a job application, people want to see evidence of what you've done. Landing £1million for an NGO in international aid is worth more than a BA in the Theory of Fundraising, for instance.
So, you could continue to work in lobbying and build up your career profile whilst getting #3, which might open other doors to you.
That would be my assessment of the situation.
But don't ever forget the 'passion' aspect of it. Will you enjoy the course? Will it get you a job you enjoy doing? Whatever you do, don't do #3 because you feel you should, if you don't really like the idea. We rarely turn out to be good at things we don't enjoy. And even if we are, it would lead to dissatisfaction in the future.
Not sure if that helps.
Good luck with it. Let us know how it goes!
