Gabriel Francisco Silva

Current Employer/Organisation Name

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

After leaving Exeter, I worked for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) from 2017-2018 as program assistant in the area of international regimes for chemical security.  In late 2018, I left UNEP to work at U.S. Mission in Brasilia as program assistant of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) program in Brazil, managing a biltaral program betweeen the U.S. and Brazil on international cooperation for law enforcement and security sector agencies to counter transnational organized crimes (TOC).  In 2022, I was promoted to program specialist, and since then I have been managing regional projects to counter TOC in South America, focusing on the Southern Cone countries (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) and the northern Amazon region. 

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Working on international cooperation gives me the opportunity to promote and advance concrete initiatives that have a direct impact in the fields of security and justice sector.  It allows me to engage with leading global experts and institutions to partner with local actors and strengthen their capacity to make positive change and counter national and international criminal organizations.  Additionally, it is a very dynamic career as I get to engage with a broad range of topics, including emerging threats and trends, and I am able to travel around the world to learn about latest trends and best practices, meet local counterparts, explore new cooperation opportunities and monitor the implementation of ongoing projects.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

The modules on Conflict, Security and Development and Middle East were very informative and with good group dynamics. Additionally, I enjoyed taking a class on the Political Economy of Food and Agriculture in the UK, which was very interesting to compare with the context of Brazil and other South American countries.  The biggest highlight was the work placement module, which allowed me to work in Geneva, Switzerland, at the Secretariat of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.  

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

The people and the staff were very friendly and approachable.  I made good friends and was also able to explore the beautiful landscape of England, going on weekends car trips in the Devon coast. 

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The MA in Conflict, Security and Development was well regarded and included a work placement module, which was very helpful to position me to the job market. 

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Communication and professionalism have been key skills in my career.  It is important to be able to communicate well your ideas and your skills to potential employers, particularly in interview and written assessments.  Additionally, once in a job, your current and past supervisors will take notice of you work ethics and professionalism. Having a good reputation and work references will open new doors and opportunities in the future.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Engage on extra-curricular activities, societies and internships. It is very important to balance your academic studies with practical experience via internships and volunteering programs.  Additionally, be open to new and unexpected opportunities that may come your way, they might be the starting point of an exciting career.  Be flexible and resilient in the job market.  It is very competitive, so it is important to have cross-cutting skills that might be applicable to different sectors, regardless of the specific topic you want to focus on. 

What are your plans for the future?

Keeping on working on “diplomacy in action” initiatives and international cooperation in the fields of justice, security and human rights.