Levelling Up, Maximising Impact, and Helping Communities Thrive

Rabia graduated from Lucy Cavendish College after completing an MPhil in Sociology. Although initially planning to embark on a PhD, Rabia decided that now was an opportune moment to work for the government, to be able to gain experience in public policy research and implementation. She is a former Afghan refugee who fled Afghanistan with her family in 1999 and arrived in the UK in the back of a refrigerated container. In 2001, the family established the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), a charity dedicated to improving the lives of Afghans and all refugees in London. In this interview, Rabia talks about her inspiring work and her hopes for the future.

You recently started working in a new department in the Civil Service, can you describe what your new role is?
A few months ago, I joined the DLUHC (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities). This was through a temporary loan that I applied for, given the area of work was on Afghan Resettlement – something I am passionate about. The devastating regime change that took place last summer is something that I remember vividly. During those months, I dedicated my spare time to supporting families that had recently arrived in the UK through evacuations, as well as maintaining continuous contact with those who didn’t manage to evacuate – some of them were family, friends, and people from my wider network.

When I saw the job opportunity arise at DLUHC, I didn’t hesitate in applying and I am enormously grateful that I got the job. My new position has enabled me to put some of my personal thoughts and ideas, which I have discussed with family and friends, into practice and drive change in an area I feel so passionately about, through my personal experiences as a refugee and my work at the ACAA (Afghan and Central Asian Association) over the past 15 years. This role enables me to ensure that the relevant stakeholders are thinking about the Afghan angle and what we think should be done, not only here in the UK, but globally to support Afghanistan longer term. 

I lead a team called the Cohort Insights Team, an interdisciplinary policy research team, where we build on best practice from previous resettlement schemes. Our approach is user-centred, putting the people affected by policies at the heart of everything we do. This ensures that we have a variety of stakeholders’ views amplified in policy development and implementation, specifically the voice of recent arrivals in the UK. It is amazing to work in a team that has such timely relevance to life in the UK for newly arrived Afghans. 

What projects are you currently working on?
We conduct a range of quantitative and qualitative research to understand the complexity and diversity of the needs that Afghans have. We focus on longer term planning, for example, what would the best integration offer look like to support and resettle, as well as more immediate areas of development, such as, how can we help new arrivals be housed more quickly or how can we resolve any issues that emerge when they are in temporary bridging accommodation. 

In addition, we get regular updates from people we work closely with on the ground, and we must respond and work quickly to address challenges and take opportunities as they arise. We have to get the message out to relevant stakeholders, teams and departments so that we can ensure the voice of the Afghans, and those working tirelessly to support them, are heard so that we can integrate their thoughts into our decision-making process. The work is hugely relevant, and no week is ever the same.

What have you learnt from working in the Government and where do you hope to see change?
I have been working in the Civil Service in the UK Government for nearly 18 months. Initially, I worked in an area that was not entirely close to my interests within the Department of Health and Social Care, but the great thing about working in the Civil Service is that you are encouraged to apply your skills, regardless of previous areas of work, to support new projects and ideas and work in a variety of departments. Both departments I have worked in have provided plenty of exciting opportunities, flexibility in how I work and a vast support network. Moving from a department that was not entirely related to my background to one that is very relevant, has shown just how quickly things can change. 

Diversity and inclusion is something that is embedded deeply within my values. I am passionate about supporting entry to the Civil Service for people from different backgrounds. It is something I am advocating openly for, particularly considering I came to the UK as a refugee, and I am now working in the Government. I continue to support people who are making similar journeys which is something I am proud of. The view and angle we can provide as previous beneficiaries, to now becoming policy implementers, is a beautiful cycle and something that lots of people can do. 

You have been extremely busy volunteering with the ACAA since the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban. How has your role there evolved since then?
Working with ACAA and supporting their mission is a huge passion of mine. I have been involved as a volunteer for many years, working closely with my family and the dedicated ACAA staff who have worked endlessly to support Afghans both in the UK and back in Afghanistan on a whole range of projects including the provision of legal advice, women’s rights, mental health, integration in communities, ESOL classes and supporting young people.

Throughout my career, I have maintained a deep connection with the work that they do, despite now working in Government. It is great that my job realises the benefits of continuing to be exposed to networks and groups of people who can offer new insights. My work has been indirectly benefited by conversations and friendships I have built at ACAA which have informed my understanding of the Afghanistan situation more deeply. Previously, I was a very committed front-line worker, supporting refugees and migrants on a day-to-day basis, whereas despite my role being more distanced now, I am able to have a greater influence on higher-level decision-making which directly impacts the lives of new arrivals.

In my opinion, regardless of whether you are in the office or outside, if you are committed to supporting a cause you can do so and that has been a fundamental goal of mine. I have continued to have the ACAA at the front of my mind and I am always thinking about new ways I can support those most in need and vulnerable within our society.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A few years ago, I did not think I would be working in the Civil Service. Looking forward, do I see myself being in this institution long term? It is a question I continuously ask myself. I am ambitious, enthusiastic, and strategic in my decision-making in terms of where I want to work. The work that both the Home Office and Foreign Office do excites and interests me enormously so perhaps a role there could be my next step. However, as long as I continue learning, improving and developing then I will stay in my current role for as long as possible.

I am passionate about the work of international organisations and how you can use learnings from within the Government to support charities and NGOs. Regardless of where I am, I hope to make the most impact on the greatest number of people. That is my main ambition and driver for the work I do. It is about who I help and how many people I can support. If I can continue making an impact within my work at the Government, then that will be the pathway I will choose, if it is at another institution, then that is something I would consider.

Where do you see Afghanistan in 10 years?
I don’t want to give a political answer, but I hope we can come out of the humanitarian crisis that we are currently in. I hope Afghan women and girls are once again able to exercise their freedom, speak freely, and be part of an active civil society. It is important that they are given the voice that they started to have. As a country, I look forward to a democratic government where the people of Afghanistan can make decisions about their own future.

Who has had the most influence on your career?
My parents have had the most influence on my career and who I am today. My dad is someone who doesn’t take no for an answer – he is constantly encouraging, not only myself, but the rest of the family to be ambitious, aim for the stars and not to take no for an answer. That is what he has done throughout his life and work. If you were to picture my family arriving in the UK in 1999 in the back of a refrigerated lorry, having escaped the Taliban and without a word of English, I don’t think many people would have thought my father would have gone on to set up the ACAA, which has had such a huge impact on the lives of so many Afghans, both in the UK and in Afghanistan, and I hope to continue in his footsteps.