Relocating in 1967 to Amman, in Jordan, the author worked as a radio programmes producer and freelance journalist contributing Middle East coverage to UPI, BBC, NBC TV & Radio News and later as both cameraman and radio reporter with ABC TV & Radio News of New York. He also acted as media advisor to Prince Hassan of Jordan. In 1990 Tuma joined UNICEF as Director of Information for the Middle East and North Africa, working there until 1997 when he took early retirement and settled with his Kiwi wife in New Zealand.