For Ruusa Shuuya, numbers prove to be a positive force in development

To many young learners, math can be a difficult and intimidating subject. Whether due to its difficulty or ability to inspire boredom in some, children have reported a host of reasons for disliking math. But there are students who view it in a more favourable light.

Between these polarising views, a young Ruusa found herself on the positive side of the fence. “During my childhood, we played a lot outside, and numbers were always involved in our games,” she said. “Numbers and I get along.” 

At an early age, Ruusa would go on to gain opportunities because of her ease with handling numbers. She was recognised as one of the best learners at her primary school in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, making her part of the select few to attend a German high school in the same city. It is simply a talent, she says. Once she found hers, there was no going against it.  

“By the time I had to decide which field to study, it was obvious I would go into finance. I was just well-prepared for where I ended up, and I love what I do.” 

Numbers + purpose = the role of a financial controller at NIRAS 

As a Financial Controller at NIRAS, Ruusa takes care of tasks that vary on a day-to-day basis. Her responsibilities include ensuring that the budget of each project is within the limit, preparing financial reports, complying with regulatory standards and maintaining sound cash flow. She handles this type of work across nine projects in a diverse number of sectors like energy, biodiversity, agriculture, private sector development and technical and vocational education in countries spread across the world from Uzbekistan to Burkina Faso to Brazil. It keeps her motivated. 

“I'm a person who needs change,” says Ruusa. “I cannot be boxed in a routine. Otherwise, I'll get bored. That's why I'm in this business.” 

With over nine years of experience in international development cooperation, Ruusa has a deep understanding of how the sector works. When she applied to NIRAS at the end of 2023, it was not the first time she heard of the company. Years ago, knowing she wanted to be in development, Ruusa researched firms in international consulting and came across NIRAS. It would only be years later that she decided to put in her application, when the Managing Director of the German office Alex Erich reached out. 

“I was intrigued by her work experience and that someone from Namibia had come to Germany first to work in a small town an hour south of Stuttgart,” says Alex. “That signalled a personality that was resilient and creative. My intuition was right.”    

Ruusa’s engagement in her work goes beyond the variety of tasks she handles. Being in sustainable development introduces her to different fields. Agriculture, energy, climate change and technical and vocational education are only a few of the areas that NIRAS Germany GmbH’s projects cover. Ruusa regards this aspect as a “beautiful part of sustainable development”, seeing the world beyond numbers and having a big-picture view of her role on a global scale. 

“Knowing the impact or objective we’re trying to reach with a project, and then seeing it materialise, is what fulfils me,” she says. “We are not just carrying out projects for the sake of making a profit. We also want to contribute something meaningful.” 

“My wish is that every human be treated with respect” 

Ruusa grew up in a caring community. She saw her parents tending not only to the needs of the family but also that of their neighbours. This instilled a great sense of compassion in her. The little that they had was more than enough for everyone, she recalls. Living in Namibia in the 1980s also inspired in her a mission to do something good for others after witnessing the effects of apartheid (which extended beyond South Africa to its neighbour in the north) such as military personnel doing random, occasional house checks. “Thank God I’m not traumatised. It was just not something beautiful to see.”

Growing up in a loving community that contrasted with apartheid’s policies shaped her view of the world, particularly about how things should and should not be. Today, she thinks about the people that NIRAS strives to help. Rural communities with no access to water. Areas suffering the consequences of climate change. People who have no access to basic needs. For Ruusa, development equips individuals living in these conditions with agency to have better control over their future.

“My wish is that every human be treated with respect,” she says. “They should be given opportunities to have their basic needs met. If your basic needs are met, then you can have a better chance or a clearer mind to get yourself to a better position.” 

By being a part of the wide development community, full of bright minds and determined professionals working towards positive change, Ruusa is able to pursue what fulfils her. But even with this fierce goal of mitigating human suffering and natural destruction, Ruusa remains centred and collected. She approaches everything with an open heart, even major life changes. 

Ruusa moved to Germany by herself ten years ago to pursue a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA). Having already mastered the language, she did not find this change too challenging. Plus, she also loves being around nature, which Stuttgart offers a lot of. “We have beautiful parks here,” she says. “After work, I go for a walk or jog.” 

A word of advice for young minds 

For Ruusa, a career in development is a worthwhile pursuit. And for anyone interested in working in the sector, she has a piece of advice: “Be eager to learn about other cultures, other people's way of seeing the world.” 

But more than that, she encourages aspiring development professionals to look inwards and figure out what drives and fulfils you. Every day, Ruusa wakes up with a great deal of gratitude for the work she does, enthusiastic about what the day will bring. 

“Find your passion and go for it,” she says.