 He also worked for UNESCO latterly as its director of culture (1981–1996, 1996–1997).He returned to the Gambian diplomatic service as an ambassador at large between 1996 and 1998 and was appointed secretary of state for external affairs in January 1998.As foreign minister, Jobe tried to lead an unsuccessful delegation to Guinea-Bissau to try to negotiate a settlement to the country's civil war that erupted in 1998.