Meet Simon Onyango, an inspiring lawyer and human rights expert working for United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Syria. Hear about his role in managing a team who protect the rights of Palestine refugees.

He derives great satisfaction from the multiple hats he wears across advocacy, humanitarian law and directly helping people in crises. Also learn how Simon balances his dynamic career while being away from his wife and children in Uganda.

Listen to the full episode and find the full transcription here!

“I was just captivated. And I was inspired by all the great speeches of the heads of state. And I remember telling myself that I want to stay and that I want to make a difference and that I'm in the right place” says Mira Perrier about her first days at the UN, 14 years ago.

Mira Perrier is an Associate Training Officer at United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).

Tune in and hear about her passion for the Organization, learning new languages and making the Organization a more equitable employer for all categories of staff.

Listen to the full episode and find the full transcription here!

In the spirit of inter-agency collaborations within the United Nations, we are thrilled to introduce to you Lauren McWilliams, tuning in from UN Women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Lauren McWilliams is a Programme Specialist for Gender in Humanitarian Action at UN Women Ethiopia.

Lauren walks us through her background and how her interest in promoting equalities led her to pursue a career in the humanitarian field. Curious to hear insights on humanitarian and gender equality programming? Examples of projects in crisis response? And skills one may find useful to manage projects well?

Listen to the full episode and find the transcription here!

UN Volunteers go by the slogan of ‘We are inspiration in action’, but what do they really do and what is it like to be one?

Meet Irene Izquieta, currently working as a UN Volunteer on an assignment with UNAIDS Guatemala. Apart from hearing her insights on being a UNV and how she has become one, you will get to hear about Irene’s work which revolves around human rights, gender, and fighting stigma and discrimination against HIV-affected communities.

Tune in to get inspired by Irene’s energetic spirit and passion for being an advocate for change.

Find the link to the transcription here.

“I came back from the field with this renewed, shining hope in our Organization and our ability to help people around the world” says Lucas Allner who has worked in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic and Haiti. 

Have you wondered how some colleagues make several transcontinental moves or leap across job networks?  Learn from Lucas’ perspectives on movement and flexibility.

To him, “working for the UN is more than just a job.”  

Listen to the full episode and find its transcription here.

What does a job of a Deputy Resident Representative look like? Listen to the story of Margaret Jones Williams, an environment and development professional from UNDP Country Office Suriname.

Margaret shares her career transition from academia to working in UNDP with climate change adaptation projects, Indigenous communities and much more.

Tune in now and get inspired by her take on creating a successful, rewarding career! 

Find the link to the transcription here.

Meet Paul Anderton, joining us from UNDP Copenhagen, Denmark.

Paul's inspirational career path has included a diversity of work locations and positions. It began in an English town, continued through 11 different countries, and is currently focused on managing the Leadership Development team in the UNDP's Talent Development Unit. We discuss the variety of tasks Paul's role entails, how to navigate professional networking, self-reflection, and many more. 

Tune in now and find the link to the episode's transcription here!

“It's the work that you find passion in. The work that will get you up in the morning” says Raquel Frederick when describing the concept of 'sacred work'.

Tune in to hear insightful reflections about her first Secretariat posting in Rwanda. Also hear about her idyllic childhood in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – where her interest in the 'blue economy' first began.

Listen to the episode and gain some inspiration! Find the transcription here. 

Meet Mihail, joining us from UNDP Istanbul Regional Centre. Mihail's inspiring career journey spans across multiple duty stations and roles - starting as an economist to now working hands-on with sustainable development goals (SDGs).

In this episode, you get to learn more about effective career planning, using career self-assessment tools, mentoring, and much more. 

Tune in now and find the link to the episode's transcription here!

“The girls tell me: you are our role model…we want to be like you when we grow up.” says Sanaa Kareem, about her work in coordinating young volunteers.

Sanaa’s job sounds equally important and interesting as Youth Advisor, Gender Focal Point and Associate Public Information Officer for UNAMI in Baghdad. An Iraqi native, she shares fascinating vignettes about overcoming personal challenges, her pride in the UN and her crystal-clear career dreams.

Listen to the episode and find the transcription here!