Bringing optimism and focus to international development work

In her teens, Eya had a scholarship and spent a year in Switzerland on a cultural exchange, away from the familiarity of her home in Tunisia. The curious and driven 15-year-old wanted to go out and experience the world, despite her parents’ reservations.

“They were a bit scared because I was young. Most parents aren’t thrilled with the idea of sending their kid abroad alone for one year,” Eya says.

The experience strengthened her independence and determination to pursue international opportunities. “After the exchange, I wanted to study and work in an international context, and I have made myself the promise” she adds.

Eya continued building on that drive throughout her studies, leading Tunisia’s team in the 2021 Enactus World Cup — a global competition showcasing student-led entrepreneurial solutions with social and environmental impact. Her team’s project supported smallholder farmers by providing affordable and local quality cattle feed and placed fourth worldwide.

In her twenties now, Eya is living out her dream of meeting different people and learning about their unique cultures — something she now does daily at NIRAS.

During her Master's, Eya did her thesis on NIRAS' development consulting arm

A joy to work with

“You’re always positive, so if you were less happy, you would just be as happy as a normal person,” a NIRAS colleague jokingly told Eya. In fact, people have often remarked on her positive attitude and calm presence under pressure — traits she has carried since her student days. These qualities have become an asset in her work, especially in complex projects.

After a recent meeting with the team managing a grant fund supporting civil society organisations and individuals in Mali (Fund for the Support of Drivers of Change or FAMOC), the team leader commended her saying, “Thank you for your good attitude and positivity.”

Seeing the enthusiasm of the [FAMOC II] team, even though the project's set in a very difficult situation, is very recharging. They're people who are very passionate about their work and what they're doing.

Eya Kharbech

Her optimism helped the group move on in good spirits despite talking about issues related to the security context in Mali. The team also appreciated her deep involvement in the project and willingness to learn about the nitty gritty details.

FAMOC is in its second phase, providing grants, capacity building, and coaching to youth-led change agent organisations and individuals working to promote governance, active citizenship, human rights, and resilience to conflict and violent extremism.

A young changemaker herself, Eya is inspired by the good things coming from the project’s investments, as well as the team’s spirit and heart for the work.

Even outside FAMOC II, Eya distributes her time towards supporting tenders and projects from across the globe when an extra pair of hands is needed.

Because NIRAS operates as a global network of offices, Eya’s experience — as well as those of other employees — naturally involves working with colleagues in other countries. It is a role she has always seen herself in, engaging people from different cultures and backgrounds. She has also come to appreciate the level of trust shared by both senior and junior staff, a manifestation of NIRAS’ deliberately flat organisational structure.

Since she was young, Eya has always wanted to work in an international context

“You’re given a lot of independence and flexibility with your own tasks. NIRAS has very supportive people who are always open to lend a hand,” she says. “There’s this culture of generosity you can really feel in the Copenhagen office, and I’m sure in the other offices as well.”

What attracted Eya to NIRAS? As part of her Master’s at the University of Neuchâtel, she interned under the supervision of NIRAS Switzerland Country Director Dr Christoph Baumann.

She truly enjoyed working for an organisation that combined worked towards sustainability and creating social impact with business and international cooperation.

And for Christoph, Eya’s presence made a notable impact on the Swiss office: “Eya impressed me from the very start with her fearless curiosity, reflective mindset, and genuinely positive attitude — exactly the qualities that make someone thrive in Business Development. When I recently had to prepare a value-for-money analysis, her guideline made the task effortless and reminded me not only of her talent, but also of the uplifting energy she brought to our office. We miss her in Switzerland, but we’re glad she is continuing her journey with NIRAS. I’m certain she has a remarkable career ahead of her and will be an asset to any team.”

Through her internship at NIRAS, Eya produced her thesis “Bridging the gap between theory and practice of Value for Money in International Cooperation: A case study of NIRAS International Consulting”, offering guidelines and templates to analyse the financial and economic impact of a project, particularly administered by Swiss clients. “Christoph said that there was a need to monitor and analyse data, to make the intangible parts of impact tangible, to compare the benefits of a project compared to its cost, which translated to value for money,” Eya recounts.

Eya (right side of the group) sings in a choir

Finding balance outside work

Outside office hours, Eya still follows her instinct of finding pockets of joy, connecting her with her new environment. In her early months of living in Copenhagen, her musical inclination led her to join a choir.

“I always thought choirs were limited to religious chants. But when I moved to Denmark, there’s actually a variety of repertoires. We sing Coldplay and other pop music,” she shares.

For Eya, spontaneous yet reflective choices — from joining an exchange programme to selecting a Master’s programme abroad — have had a tremendous effect on her life. The same mindset guides her at NIRAS, where her positivity radiates.

“There’s a rational part of me that weighs the pros and cons of decisions,” she says. “But my mentality is not to be afraid of trying new things, to be surprised by doing something I never knew I could. You learn what you’re capable of only once you try.”

Eya Kharbech

Tender & Project Manager

København, Denmark

+45 4299 1696

E-mail

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