We caught up with a former UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) Country Director – Hendrica Okondo to find out what it is like to work directly on women’s rights from within the UN system. Mrs. Okondo worked for UNIFEM for almost one decade and prior to that she was a Senior Gender Advisor to the UN World Food Programme, she holds a Masters in Public Health and Environmental Science and a BA. in Agricultural Sciences and Entomology. She is now a Global Programme Manager at the World YWCA working on Women’s Sexual and Reproductive health rights, VAW (Violence Against Women) and HIV.

UN Women was born through a UN reform agenda merging together different UN agencies that previously worked on women’s rights. One of these agencies was the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). In 1976 UNIFEM was created to support women’s empowerment and gender equality. It worked extensively on developing gender responsive budgets Southern Africa, East Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central America and the Andean region. UNIFEM was the pioneer in raising awareness throughout the UN system of gender responsive budgets as a tool to strengthen economic governance in all countries.

What did your role in UNIFEM consist of and what specific issues did you address?

I was the Country Director for UNIFEM Tanzania and I managed the one UN Gender Programme. It focused on gender and governance, gender budgeting, sexual gender based violence (SGBV) and gender audits. We also chaired multi stakeholder gender working groups and a gender and HIV working group. This was made possible by using the ILO toolkit: Participatory Gender Audit. A gender audit enhances the collective capacity of the organisation to examine its activities from a gender perspective and identify strengths and weaknesses in promoting gender equality issues. It monitors and assesses the relative progress made in gender mainstreaming.

What was the most challenging part of your job?

Personally, I have to say that the most challenging part was definitely trying to negotiate space for gender and women empowerment issues with big UN agencies such as United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) because they did not recognise our mandate and also had very competent gender officers they did not give financial and moral support.

Why did you decide to leave and work in the civil society sector?

The bureaucracy of the UN was a barrier for reaching women at community level and it seemed as if we giving more money to the government system rather than creating an enabling environment for women’s empowerment. As we know, women need economic assets, social protection and justice to claim their rights so while engendering the policy frameworks and developing accountability mechanisms for delivery on gender equality commitments is important. We need to put women and girls in a space where they have opportunities to claim those rights. Therefore, in short I missed sitting under the tree, just talking to women and girls.

How is working for an NGO different to working for the UN?

I like working in a NGO- civil society organisation (CSO) as the space is more dynamic, it is easier to link the local to global and in general most processes are less formal. Furthermore, it is easier to advocate without having to worry about a UN member state position and easier to get consensus on advocacy issues thus there are more opportunities to innovate.

What advice would you give to young people who want to work for the UN?

I highly recommend that young people especially young women do internships at the UN because it is a very useful experience. However, we need to advocate for paid internship as too many UN agencies are using free labour of youth to meet their funding gap and that is not fair! We need more developed countries to provide JPO funding for least developed countries (LDC) in order to promote diversity and give youth from the global south access to UN careers. Reflecting on my time as a UN staff member, I enjoyed the good pay obviously and the easy access to many countries through the use of the UN LP – a valid travel document, which can be used like a national passport (in connection with travel on official missions only). Ascompared to now I need a new passport every year full of visas. I am sharing this as I want to mention a key point that this has made me reflect upon very much: we need to lobby for work mobility for all young people! You ask me what advice I have for young people and I really think that it is not fair that young people from the global south have no access to schools, universities and workplaces in the global north because of migration policies that discriminate poor countries. Yet at the wealth in the north was made and still is made by exploiting the south, we cannot talk of globalisation when politicians through fear mongering are blocking mobility of youth employment. Therefore, considering all of this my advice to young people is not to give up. I am from the global south and through education, determination and support I have made it this far. Together, we must lobby for changes on national, regional and global policies to generate more economic opportunities for young people from the global south especially young women!

The post Working as Women’s Rights Director for the UN [Interview] appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

 

Refugees have skills, ideas, hopes and dreams… They are also tough, resilient and creative, with the energy and drive to shape their own destinies, given the chance. – UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi

Globally, we are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record. Across the world an unbelievable 65.3 million people have had to leave their homes. More than half of them are children under the age of 18. When we look closely at the figures 21.3 million individuals have become refugees and 10 million people are now stateless being denied a nationality and their basic human rights.

The work of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is now more vital than ever before. It is estimated that almost 34,000 people are forcibly displaced everyday! UNHCR are mandated to support and assist displaced persons in various ways such as immediate emergency assistance, legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs and health.

In 2015 alone, over 1 million people – refugees, displaced persons and other migrants – have made their way to the European Union (EU), either escaping conflict in their country or in search of better economic prospects. By June 2016 around 156,000 people had reached Europe, mainly fleeing the war in Syria. Refugees are distinct from economic migrants, insofar as refugees cannot return to ​their country of origin, because they might face serious threats to their life or freedom. ​

Elizabeth Wilson worked as a UNHCR field worker for several years providing emergency assistance and access to basic rights such as education and healthcare in refugee camps across the world. We caught up with Elizabeth to find out what it is like to work in such settings:

How did you first get involved with UNHCR?

I first started out as a junior professional officer working in the UNHCR Kenya country office. I was there for two years implementing our monitoring and evaluation programmes. I was then moved to Kibondo refugee camp in Tanzania and worked as a field associate coordinating required humanitarian relief materials. For the past year I have been on mission in Greece working in refugee camps there (see map below). I was stationed in Cherso refugee in Northern Greece, which housed around 700 Syrian, Iraqi and Kurdish people, mostly families. It can be a very difficult reality for families as they wait to be relocated in another European country. The process itself can take several months with numerous interviews taking place to determine their selected final destination country.

What have been your main responsibilities?

I have mostly worked on protection ensuring adequate shelter in humanitarian emergencies. We distribute tents, plastic sheeting and matting; develop emergency strategies, tools and guidelines. Whilst in Greece I was coordinating the distribution of tents, blankets and solar charged lamps. I was also assisting the coordination of all the respective partner agencies and NGOs in the refugee camp. UNHCR has a long history of collaboration in emergency preparedness and response. In order to provide the crucial aspects of protection and assistance we partner with a variety of actors. This includes operational partners, a wide range of government, UN and NGO partners who contribute expertise and financial resources to the collective response.

What barriers do refugees face accessing their rights?

Fleeing war, conflict, persecution or natural disasters is the most inhumane experience a person can suffer. It is terrifying and can leave entire families with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Therefore, refugees face enormous barriers to accessing their very basic human rights such as food, water and shelter. My work involves a magnitude of patience, resilience and compassion. It is heart breaking to witness children who are refugees, not being allowed to enrol in the local schools of their host countries. For example as they do not yet have official legal status and in some cases cannot leave the refugee camps, they miss out on vital periods of education. This is why the UNHCR supports education programmes in refugee camps so that children can continue to receive a comprehensive education and are not left behind.

What gives you the strength to keep going?

A simple smile across the face of a refugee, it might sound crazy but a smile is what pushes me to keep going. I am inspired to stay focused on my job. When the pressure and stress gets too much and I feel like there is no end to the challenges we encounter on a daily basis I remember those smiles and the hope in their eyes. This winter for example I will remember forever a young Syrian mother came to see me as her baby was sick and had been up all night crying, it was -20 degrees that night with high winds. She came with her baby in her arms and continued to smile and even made jokes. These extraordinary people have taught me to appreciate the little things in life. I really don’t think I have a right to give up.

What has been your most memorable experience?

Listening to the testimonies of refugees and knowing what they have experienced will stay with me forever. Their sheer strength and resilience is overwhelming. I have so many memories, it is very difficult to choose just one.  A major success for me personally happened in Tanzania, when I was able to implement an education programme for young women and girls. Refugee camps can be dangerous places sometimes with lack of security and girls can be very vulnerable. Therefore, I recognised the need to create a safe space for young women and girls to hangout, be themselves, learn, have fun and exchange stories. It was amazing for me to witness the positive impact of creating this girls only safe space. We began to deliver sexual health programmes and also teach girls about menstruation and healthy sanitation. I believe this programme provided these girls with the necessary health information and also helped created positive relationships.

Why do you think the work of UNHCR is so important?

It is essential that the UNHCR exists and continues to function. The world is facing unprecedented conflicts and disasters destroying whole communities and the planet. Now is the time for governments, NGOs, foundations and corporations to work together for the greater good of humanity. UNHCR is a critical instrument for providing the necessary care and support to vulnerable people everywhere. It is a neutral diplomatic agency that can translate across cultures, language and religions.

What advice would you give to a young professional interested in UNHCR?

One of the best ways into any organisation is to apply for an internship. I have many colleagues who started their careers this way. Secondly, just like I did you should take a look at the UN junior professional officer programme. It is highly competitive however if you are successful it is an up hill slope. The work experience, exposure and training you will receive are extremely invaluable. The human rights field is a emotionally charged sphere and can be traumatic, however knowing that you are saving lives and healing emotional scars of people is the greatest reward anyone can experience.

The post How to work for UNHCR appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

This is the story of Geneviève LaSalle, who grew up in a small town in France. We met in Bogota, Colombia where she was an intern at the UNHCR. Shortly after, she left Bogota to return to France to complete her Master’s degree. She now works as a UNHCR Associate Protection Officer in the Great Lakes Region. Here, she shares the story of her path to employment at the UNHCR, and advice for anyone looking to join the world’s premier refugee humanitarian agency.

Due to the politically-sensitive nature of her work, her real name and exact location have been left out of this article. 

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a village in the countryside in France; my entire family, including cousins, aunts, and uncles, lives within sixty kilometres of my parent’s home. My dream, at that time, was to one day open an old folks home, because I loved working with people, so I went to trade school for social work. But I was also interested in working with foreigners; there was very little diversity in my hometown, and because of that, working with other cultures attracted me.

How did you get started working in development cooperation?

The city where I did my studies was twinned with a city in Mali. So I signed up for an exchange program, and like that, at the age of 20, I found myself volunteering in Bamako.

You know, there are loads of people in the U.N. system who have been travelling since they were five years old. Me, I first put my feet outside Europe only after my 20^th birthday, to go for a month to Bamako. But I loved it, especially the intercultural exchange, and I wanted to dig deeper.

When did you first become interested in working with refugees?

Before graduating from my social work programme, I volunteered with Caritas, helping organise cultural activities for asylum seekers. Once I got my degree, I knew I wanted to work on asylum rights in France, and,

at the age 21, I began working at France terre d’asile, a reception centre for asylum seekers, supporting asylum seekers with their legal, medical, and social needs.

How did you decide what to study?

After two years at France terre d’asile, they offered me a permanent contract. I didn’t take it; I wanted to go abroad, to still work with refugees, from a perspective other than France. But, at that time, the social work degree in France wasn’t a full Bachelor’s degree, so I went back to school: to a one-year Professional Bachelor’s degree in Coordination of international solidarity projects.

On getting your feet wet in international development work:

The Professional Bachelor’s was actually six months of coursework, and six months of practical experience. So when classes ended, I went to Chiapas, to intern with a Mexican NGO working with indigenous communities – the former Zapatistas.

In the Chiapas region, many emigrate, either to northern Mexico, where there is a lot of agricultural work, or to the United States. The NGO worked with those who returned, helping them reintegrate into Chiapas life, while joining an economic project with other members from their community of origin. I helped them form community associations, create a small local credit system, build their skills in purchasing hens and growing vegetables, and apply for funds from Regional authorities.

On getting slapped in the face:

I came to Chiapas with the idea that I’m going to help the indigenous communities. But everything I’d learnt I had to set aside, and simply immerse myself in their culture. I had to start from the beginning to try and understand, how does it work here? Rather than unleashing all of my theories.

On formative experiences:

I found myself in Mexico (having never before been to Latin America) giving workshops in Spanish (though it had been ages since I’d studied it in high school). For me, this was a key experience.

This was the kind of experience that you don’t get at the United Nations. Because at the UN, we operate within a global system, and we use tools developed at a global level presumed to be applicable more or less everywhere, with a little bit of adaptation, but they are not developed from within a particular context.

The experience motivated me to go to other countries and encounter other cultures.

On what to do when you don’t know what to do:

After my Chiapas internship, I went back to France, thinking, I’ll find another job abroad. But very quickly, I was confronted with a key problem: I didn’t have a Master’s degree, required by many positions, even at small NGOs. Nor had I worked in an English-speaking country, so I couldn’t demonstrate that I had a good level of English.

I couldn’t stay at my parent’s house, doing an unpaid internship while looking for a job. So I took a job with a  short-term contract as at an asylum rights organisation in France. Towards the end of those four months, a friend sent me the posting for an unpaid internship at UNHCR Colombia.

How did you decide to do an unpaid internship?

I asked myself, does it make sense to go to an unpaid internship abroad, when I already have a paid job here in France? At the same time, I won’t have any other way to get into the UNHCR system, to see how it works, to see what’s required in the world of the UN. At the same, it wasn’t my goal to work at the UN, but I still wanted to see what it was like to work inside a large organisation, to have an international experience, to understand the prerequisites and profiles of the people already working within the system.

What made them choose you for the UNHCR internship? What made you stand out?

The UN is a job with a title, full of civil servants. It’s not a vocation. Your profession, or vocation, is the field in which you’ll work and the kind of work you’ll do, and not the status and pay you’ll receive – those are just ingredients.

It’s not just about having prestigious names on your CV – it’s also about the activities that you’ve done and the expertise you’ve developed. I had already worked with refugees before, and I was very surprised, when I arrived in Bogota, to meet lots of interns who never worked with refugees before, working at the UNHCR straight out of university.

On needing a law background:

Very quickly, I realized that nearly everyone at UNHCR Bogota was a lawyer – no one really had a social work background. And even though I had work experience with the refugees, I felt I had no choice but to get a proper law degree, preferably in human rights law.

I was accepted to a Master’s program in NGO and Humanitarian Law at the University of Strasbourg (Institut des Hautes Etudes Europeenes). Because I had already been working for a couple of years, I was allowed to skip the first year and go straight into the second year. But it was still a tough program, especially at first.

On studying human rights law: 

Law was a total unknown for me. I was surrounded by people who had all done four years of law in undergrad, and for the first few weeks, I often felt like the class dummy.

But then, it was only the vocabulary that was particular to the field of law. The case studies, on the other hand, were full of familiar examples I recognized and related to. The other students knew the vocabulary, they had a human rights background on paper, but they didn’t have any idea of how it was all applied.

On using key words in your application:

You have to use the key words of the positions and organisations to which you’re applying. I believe that’s what swung the ball in my favour: I was extremely specific in my CV about the populations with which I had worked (e.g., Congolese and Sudanese refugees) and the tasks I had done (like organising events, conducting interviews).

The UNV job descriptions are written at the UNV headquarters in Bonn (Germany). When shortlisting candidates, they look for a match to the job description, and they find it using keywords. So the more specific you are on your CV, the higher your chance of being matched to a job opening.

When they contacted me, they said, we’re recruiting someone for this position in this location, and you’re on the shortlist, and are you available at the moment? I said, oui, yes.

On second chances:

They then send the shortlist of candidates to the country office of the position, who then select three individuals to interview. I was one of these three, but after the interview, they told me they wouldn’t be choosing me: I was their number two choice. So I abandoned the idea, and prepared instead to set off to Chad, where I had a paid internship with a French NGO. This was not ideal: Chad is an extremely challenging context, and this NGO did not seem to have the best reputation.

But three weeks later, they contacted me again, to ask if I was still available. They said, “Are you still interested?”

And I said, YALLAH, I’m coming!”

On killing two birds with one stone:

To complete my Master’s degree (in France), I needed to do an internship (stage de fin d’etudes), and then write a report about it (rapport de stage).

I told them, look, I’ve been offered a UNV position with the UNHCR, and could I count it for my internship, and write a report on it?

“Not a problem,” they said, and I completed my Master’s degree after already arriving here. It helped me better understand my work, because I was doing research for my report at the same time.

On UNHCR’s resettlement program:

In the Great Lakes region, there are loads of Congolese refugees – victims of the war, and the political insecurity that continues, particularly in Eastern Congo – and we know that it’s already been 15-20 years since they’ve left their home country. They can’t go home, and the neighboring countries are too poor to support the thousands of refugees fleeing DR Congo.

The USA, Canada, UK, etc. have agreed to receive a certain number of Congolese, but before they accept them, UNHCR has to  check that they fit the refugee definition, they cannot go back to their country of origin, they are not guilty of any serious crimes, and then they’ll be accepted into a new country, where they may stay for the rest of their lives.

What did you do, as Associate Resettlement Officer?

Resettlement is a protection measure giving asylum in a third country for those who are refugees and can’t stay in the country in which they are, and can’t go home, either. You have this example in Ecuador: Colombian refugees cross the border into Ecuador to escape the narcotics drug lords, but the drug lords often come to Ecuador to find them. So we try to send them elsewhere: the U.S.A., Canada, UK.

When I arrived, my job was to interview the refugees, verify that they fit the status of a refugee, assess their specific needs and prepare their case to be submitted to a Resettlement country. It was a lot of reporting and a bit repetitive; not what I loved. I wanted to be out in the field, working on urgent cases, on other themes of protection.

On waiting for your dream job:

Six months after I arrived in country, the Associate Protection Officer left, and they needed someone to quickly replace her. The UNV contract offers a lot of flexibility within UN agencies. The job description can be changed during assignment to respond to the operational needs, in collaboration with the UNV headquarters in Bonn.  . So that’s how I changed my position, and was able to do what I was really interested in at UNHCR.

What does an Associate Protection Officer do?

I’m now Associate Protection Officer; I work with the national government on monitoring of Refugee Status Determination activities. I support the government in undertaking this work, and improving the quality of their decision-making on refugee statuses. I also represent UNHCR as an official observer during commissions where representatives from different ministries take a final decision on cases.

On having an interesting job:

They also refer to me all of the individuals who may have committed war crimes, or crimes against humanity, and if that’s the case, we cannot refer them to another country for resettlement elsewhere. I’m in charge of these more complex cases.

I love this challenging work. There’s a lot of variety, and not too much routine.

What’s the easiest way to get into UNHCR?

Getting in to the UN, in general, is not easy. I think it’s far easier to work with NGOs first, get some experience and expertise, and then enter the UN, through one of the routes described above.

You won’t get a UN position straight out of university; that wouldn’t make any sense, because you don’t yet have any experience. Then again, I started working at UNHCR at the age of 26, and I was the youngest international UNV here.

One of my fellow UNVs had done a six-month internship with UNHCR, then worked with a NGO in France, and became a UNV one year after graduating from her studies.

Another finished her Master’s degree, then did a six-month internship with UNHCR , and was thereafter recruited by an American NGO that works with refugees. After a year and a half with them, she joined UNHCR as a UNV.

We are among the youngest here; the majority are 30-32 years old. Among the muzungus, UNVs range from 26 to 35 years old; the UNV colleagues from West Africa tend to be slightly older, on average.

People say you need to know someone to get into the U.N. Is it true?

That’s what they say. Certainly, connections help.

Having connections means you can be in the loop about what’s going on, which posts are vacant, and therefore submit your application for those open positions.

What do I do if I don’t have any connections? How do I get in?

The UN is its own world. If you don’t know how it works, especially how the UN hiring process works, its difficult to get in.

Before interning at UNHCR in Colombia, I was very far away from ever having a position here because I had absolutely no idea how the UN system worked. I didn’t know how to market myself to the recruitment process, I didn’t know what they looked for… It helps a lot to do an internship within the organisation, to understand how the system works.

Thank you so much, Geneviève !

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