CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER | UNICEF INDONESIA

What do you do for UNICEF Indonesia?

I am working for the Child Protection cluster. My work revolves around efforts to eliminate any types of violence against children in Indonesia. I am mainly assigned to look into child marriage, which is a cross-section issue. Child marriage cannot be seen only as child protection issue (as how UNICEF defines it); it is also linked to education, health, and gender equality – which makes it a fascinating subject to analyse. I also handle some projects related to other issues such as violence against children, social welfare and juvenile justice.

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REPORTING OFFICER | UN OCHA IN SOUTH SUDAN

You are a Public Information and Reporting Officer for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in South Sudan. What does that entail?

My job is to inform people about the humanitarian situation in South Sudan and the devastating impact that war, displacement, hunger and disease is having on people here. In practice, that involves briefing journalists; writing reports, press releases and editorials; reaching out to the public on social media; and supporting fundraising and advocacy by making sure the right people have access to good information about the crisis, when they need it.

REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS

You are a PAX representative to the United Nations (UN), focusing on the protection of civilians in Syria, Iraq and South Sudan. What does that entail? 

I was hired in 2012 to open the New York advocacy office for PAX, a Dutch peace organisation that works in 15 conflict areas around the world. I translate our local civil society partners’ activities into policy recommendations at the UN.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION – UK (UNA-UK)

What do you do as Executive Director for the United Nations Association - UK?

UNA-UK’s mission is to build support and momentum for an effective UN. The biggest problems we face don’t respect borders. Our lives are influenced by what happens in other countries and they are affected by our choices, as voters and consumers. We need to recognise we are global citizens and invest in global solutions and institutions. My role is to inspire and support my brilliant team in making that case.

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC INFORMATION | UNHCR

What do you do?

As Head of Communications and Chief Spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), I lead communications efforts around the globe and serve as chief spokesperson. Operating in 120 countries, UNHCR provides help and shelter for over 30 million people who have fled wars and persecution. In my role, I have introduced strategic and crisis communication planning designed to have more impact on the varied audiences, which include media, donors, governments and refugees themselves. I also direct global advocacy campaigns with a strong emphasis on social media.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | UNICEF

What do you do as Communications Specialist for UNICEF?

I oversee all external communications for UNICEF Burundi, so I act as a spokesperson and facilitate media visits to UNICEF projects. I also oversee all of our social media. The third pillar of my job is an especially exciting one and has to do with child participation and youth advocacy. In Burundi, children make up the majority of the population, but are among the least quoted in the media. So in order to amplify children’s voices and enable them to advocate for their rights, we run a child journalist programme, in which children in Burundi are trained in basic journalism techniques, conflict-sensitive reporting and child rights. These children then lead child-centred programming on radios stations that have signed partnerships with UNICEF and regularly participate in youth exchanges and social media initiatives.