Locations
Nadia with UNOPS and UNDP collegues, on a field trip to visit a project financed within the framework of the CAFI / DRC partnership, June 2024
What is your educational background?
I have Bachelor in Law and Political Science at Toulouse 1 Capitole University and a Master's in Public Administration and Local Government Management by Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) University.
What made you apply to the JPO programme/what is your motivation to work with your UN agency?
When I received the offer for this JPO position, I was in the midst of transitioning back home after completing a two-year assignment with France Volontaires in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The job description immediately stood out to me, as it was not only an exciting next step but also aligned closely with both my previous experience and my personal interests.
As a Norwegian, I was eligible for the position through the JPO programme, which was a great opportunity to continue my professional development. Additionally, being fluent in French was a significant asset for working in a region where French is the main language of communication, particularly in establishing effective communication and strong partnerships with stakeholders and collaborators.
I had some experience working in the Central African region, which gave me an initial understanding of the area and its challenges. I had also worked on natural resources management and partnership-building, although my experience in these areas was still growing. This position felt like an ideal opportunity to expand these skills, while also allowing me to learn new ones in an international context.
What further drew me to the position was the opportunity to work within the United Nations system. Having gained experience working with NGO, I was eager to learn more about how the UN, through an unique and original sustainable development approach can leverage the humanitarian and peace nexus, and how its processes and perspectives differ from those of non-governmental organizations. This role provided a unique opportunity to gain insights into the UN’s approach to sustainability and contribute my own experience to its efforts.
What are the main activities/tasks you are working on? What is a day at the office/in the field like?
As part of the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), my role is focused on supporting forest conservation and sustainable land use in the Central African region. CAFI operates across all the Central African countries, working with nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to reduce deforestation and improve forest management, contributing to both climate change mitigation and sustainable development. Within CAFI, I am part of the partnership pillar of the team in DRC, where I focus on monitoring and coordinating the partnership’s projects.
One of my key tasks is assisting with the annual review of the CAFI-DRC partnership, helping with the development and publication of the 2023 milestones report, and supporting six sectoral ministries (agriculture, forest, land-use planning, health, mining, oil and gas) in developing action plans to meet the partnership’s milestones. I also provide support in the functioning of FONAREDD (Fonds National REDD), an independent organ from the Ministry of Finance established to implement REDD+ national strategy and support projects that reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. This involves briefing CAFI donor states and UN RCO and supporting the coordination of meetings for the FONAREDD governance bodies, ensuring that all necessary documents are prepared, and follow-up actions are completed.
A smaller part of my work includes supporting the management of a portfolio of enabling and policy reforms projects. I assist in ensuring new projects align with CAFI vision and ensure they stay on schedule.
On a typical day, I might be preparing for or participating in meetings, coordinating tasks with colleagues and partners, and supporting the follow-up on recommendations to be implemented by 6 sectorial ministries and stakeholders. My role often involves organizing documents, ensuring deadlines are met, and writing meeting notes or summaries.
Overall, my work is about supporting the progress of these various initiatives, helping with coordination, and ensuring that things are moving smoothly behind the scenes.
Conférence interministérielle internationale sur les outils PSE, Segment politique, January 29th 2025
In your day-to-day work, what SDG(s) are you helping to implement?
In our day-to-day work, we contribute primarily to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, and Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Many of the projects we finance are directly or indirectly related to a range of SDGs, but some are particularly linked to our work on forest conservation and sustainable land use. Specifically, we help to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable land management, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. Through monitoring the CAFI-DRC partnership, supporting ministries in developing action plans, and publishing milestone reports, we contribute to mitigating climate change by reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Moreover, our support to FONAREDD and the management of REDD+ projects directly aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, as it involves the sustainable management of forests, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem restoration.
Finally, Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals plays a significant role in our work, as CAFI is fundamentally based on collaboration. We facilitate coordination between various stakeholders, including governments, UN agencies, and development partners, which is essential for achieving our environmental goals and ensuring long-term success in forest conservation and climate action.
Overall, our efforts are focused on advancing environmental sustainability, climate action, and strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships—crucial components of the UN's sustainable development agenda.
What is the most challenging project that you have worked on/are working on?
One of the most challenging projects I have been involved in was supporting the International Interministerial Conference on Payments for Environmental Services (PSE). This event, held from January 27 to 29, 2025, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), brought together ministers and representatives from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo—to develop a joint position and roadmap for implementing PES at scale in Central Africa.
The conference took place under particularly difficult conditions, with an unpredictable security situation creating daily uncertainty about whether activities could continue as planned and whether all international partners would be able to stay until the end. Ensuring the participation of all six countries at the same time was another major challenge, requiring continuous coordination and flexibility. Given the involvement of high-level ministers, there was also significant pressure to maintain smooth logistics, clear communication, and alignment between different teams.
Efforts were concentrated on ensuring effective coordination among key stakeholders, facilitating communication between teams, and making sure that all necessary information was shared smoothly. Despite these difficulties, the conference led to important outcomes, including a joint ministerial declaration reinforcing commitments to integrating Payments for Environmental Services into national policies. Additionally, it resulted in an action plan and roadmap to strengthen regional cooperation on environmental financing.
Seeing ministers engage in constructive discussions and collaboratively develop these commitments made all the challenges worthwhile. It was incredibly rewarding to witness how everyone’s hard work and dedication led to meaningful discussions and tangible progress.
What has been the most rewarding experience to date for you at your duty station? (work and/or non-work related)
One of the most rewarding experiences in my role at CAFI has been contributing to the 2023 Annual Review of the DRC-CAFI Partnership, held in Kinshasa on March 15 (technical segment) and March 18 (political segment) 2023. This event brought together government representatives, donors, and implementing partners to assess progress, discuss challenges, and outline priorities for the coming year.
Ahead of the review, I supported coordination efforts by working closely with FONAREDD and engaging with focal points from different ministries and project teams to gather information on progress toward the Letter of Intent milestones. A key part of this process was helping to develop a monitoring tool that tracked these advancements across different pillars. This tool contributed to a detailed progress report, which provided a structured basis for discussions during the review.
Seeing the results presented and used to inform next steps, with inputs from all partners, was a rewarding moment. It demonstrated the importance of structured collaboration and monitoring in ensuring transparency and guiding decision-making.
20ème Réunion des Parties (RdP20) du PFBC (Partenariat pour les forêts du bassin du Congo) 3rd to 5th June 2024, Kinshasa, DRC
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
Throughout my assignment with CAFI, I have had the opportunity to further develop key skills that are essential in an international and multi-stakeholder environment.
One of the areas I have strengthened is coordination and organization. Supporting different projects and high-level discussions has helped me improve my ability to manage timelines, track progress, and ensure that key stakeholders have the information they need.
Given the challenges that can arise—such as evolving logistical constraints or last-minute adjustments, I have also further developed my adaptability and problem-solving skills. This experience has reinforced the importance of staying flexible and responding quickly to unforeseen changes.
Another key area of growth has been intercultural and strategic communication. Having worked in international environments before, I was already familiar with the need for clear, inclusive communication, but my role with CAFI has reinforced the need to adapt messaging to different audiences. Working closely with a wide range of stakeholders—including government representatives, implementing partners, donors, and technical experts—has helped me refine my ability to navigate different priorities, ensure alignment between actors, and contribute to constructive dialogue. At the same time, preparing documents, contributing to reports, and ensuring that key information is effectively conveyed has strengthened my ability to communicate in a way that is both accessible and relevant to diverse stakeholders
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
If you’re considering applying to the JPO Programme, my advice would be to stay open-minded and make the most of the experience. It’s a unique opportunity to work in an international environment, gain hands-on experience, and develop new skills—but it also comes with challenges.
1. Embrace working with different cultures – You’ll be collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds, each with their own perspectives and ways of working. Being adaptable and open to different approaches will help you navigate this environment effectively.
2. Be patient and flexible – Processes can sometimes be complex and take time. Understanding the broader context, staying adaptable, and focusing on what you can contribute too will make the experience much more rewarding.
3. Take advantage of learning opportunities – The JPO Programme offers access to many development resources, including the Dedicated Training and Travel Allowance (DTTA). Planning ahead and selecting relevant courses can help strengthen your skills and support your career growth.
4. Build your network – Connecting with colleagues, attending events, and engaging with different teams can help you gain insights and open doors for future opportunities. The relationships you build during your time as a JPO can be valuable beyond your assignment.
Overall, the JPO Programme provides a great platform to learn, contribute, and grow. Staying adaptable, proactive, and engaged will help you make the most of the experience.
How do you feel your JPO assignment will influence your career choices/opportunities within the UN?
My JPO assignment has given me valuable insight into how the UN works in practice, from high-level policy discussions to the challenges of implementation on the ground. This experience has reinforced my interest in working within the UN system, particularly in roles that bridge policy, partnerships, and sustainable development.
Going forward, I see myself continuing to work in international cooperation, ideally within the UN or a multilateral organization focused on environmental governance and natural resource management. The exposure I’ve gained to UN coordination mechanisms, intergovernmental processes, and donor relations has provided me with a clearer understanding of the types of roles that align with my skills and interests.
While my long-term path is still evolving, my JPO experience has confirmed that I want to remain engaged in multilateral efforts to address sustainability challenges. Whether through program coordination, policy development, or partnerships, I hope to apply what I have learned to contribute meaningfully to international environmental initiatives.
My JPO experience has been a valuable opportunity to gain insight into how the UN works in practice and to contribute to meaningful projects in environmental governance. It has allowed me to work with a range of partners, develop my skills in coordination and communication, and better understand the challenges of translating policy into action. Overall, it has been a learning experience that will shape my next career stepsNadia Dagestad
