LocationsJPO Story - Nino Perreten
September 3, 2024
UN Campus - Turin 18 june 2024 participants at the JPO Career Boost Course organized by UNSSC
What is your educational background?
I have a Master of Science in Business and Economics at University of Bern.
What made you apply to the JPO programme/what is your motivation to work with your UN agency?
I applied to the JPO program because I am passionate about global development and humanitarian efforts. I firmly believe that in an increasingly complex world with shifting power dynamics and geopolitical interests, the UN-system is more important than ever as the sole organization/system capable of bringing together nations to engage in dialogue and tackle challenges collaboratively.
Working with the WHO (or other UN agencies) aligns with my values and commitment to positive change. The JPO program offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, develop skills, and contribute meaningfully to the UN's mission.
What are the main activities/tasks you are working on? What is a day at the office/in the field like?
I work in the Department of Planning, Resource Coordination, and Performance Monitoring. Within this department, my work focuses on topics such as the enhancement and update of the WHO Programme Budget Web Portal, contributing to the advancement of the efficiency agenda, participating in strategic budget development and presentation, or ensuring that WHO's use of funds is presented as transparently as possible. Most of these tasks involve extensive data analysis and occasionally smaller IT projects. My daily work largely consists of collaborating with my colleagues to ensure all these objectives are met.
In your day-to-day work, what SDG(s) are you helping to implement?
In the work of the WHO, SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being, naturally takes precedence. However, many topics also intersect with other SDGs. For example, the WHO's goal of achieving financial hardship reduction through universal health coverage also contributes to SDG 1, No Poverty. Personally, I hold a role at the HQ, primarily supporting the overall work of WHO rather than a specific goal.
Nino Perreten, Programme Budget Analyst at the World Health Organization (WHO)
What is the most challenging project that you have worked on/are working on?
The most challenging aspect for me is not a specific project, but rather the constant realization that we still have a long way to go in improving the living conditions of billions of people. Progress, despite the tremendous dedication of many UN employees, is much slower than we all wish it could be.
What has been the most rewarding experience to date for you at your duty station? (work and/or non-work related)
Repeatedly realizing the intrinsic motivation of so many colleagues, evident for example in their willingness to volunteer for various activities outside their daily work, is truly inspiring. I consider it a privilege to work in such an environment, for an organization with a great and important vision. It is also immensely rewarding to work with colleagues who share the same values and vision. This is, for me, the most rewarding experience.
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
My work requires strong analytical skills, which I certainly brought with me but continue to develop almost daily. Additionally, the environment allows me to further improve my English, both written and spoken. An additional, perhaps softer skill is the ability to collaborate with people from diverse cultures, as well as the ability to stay agile with changes.
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
I would recommend anyone who is interested in the UN system and can apply for a JPO position to do so. Due to restrictions such as age and nationality, the pool of applicants is significantly limited, and the chance to enter the UN system may never be this great again.
Furthermore, I would advise not to exclude a potential position just because it does not match perfectly with your expertise or what you were exactly looking for. Many JPOs work in areas that are not exactly their field of expertise. However, this provides the opportunity to learn valuable new skills, and it is important to get your foot in the door of the UN system. Once inside the system, you can reorient yourself and look for the perfect assignment. As an internal candidate, you will have better chances in the application process and possibly already have personal contacts within the relevant department.
How do you feel your JPO assignment will influence your career choices/opportunities within the UN?
I believe JPOs have a strong position for further applications. They have undergone a pre-selection process by their respective donor countries, which ensure they recruit competent and capable individuals for these positions. This pre-selection is often seen within the system as a "quality mark."
Additionally, there are excellent development and exchange opportunities provided by both UNDP and, in my case, WHO, to optimally prepare JPOs. I think these factors certainly have a positive impact on career opportunities.
By maintaining the internal JPO network, one can exchange ideas with many people from other departments to learn more about their work. This provides a broad overview of the organization and can help in selecting potential positions.
Nino in a workshop as part of the UNSSC JPO Career Boost Course.
Do you feel that you are part of a community of purpose?
Absolutely. Even though my specific role within the WHO might seem distant from concrete outputs, I notice that everyone, whether in planning, finance, or leadership support, is highly intrinsically motivated and aware that their work is a crucial part of achieving the WHO's vision. This ultimately creates a community of purpose.
What is the biggest motivator for you when it comes to your work?
On one hand, it is the knowledge that my daily work contributes to a meaningful purpose and benefit those who grew up in a developed country.
From a more personal perspective, it is the incredible range of opportunities that the UN system offers, allowing work with various agencies in different roles for various good causes, and maybe also to experience different countries.
In what ways do you feel you are part of an organization that fosters people’s development?
In my daily interactions with many motivated colleagues, I see many who have had an impressive and fascinating journey within the UN system, which also resulted in a significant personal growth as a result. Therefor I’m sure, the organization fosters people’s development.
If you had to summarize your JPO experience into a couple of brief sentences or less, what you would say?
Obtaining a JPO position is a privilege. It provides an entry into the UN system with a clear structure and guidelines. At the same time, it can be challenging to find one's place within the organization or the team initially. It is also great to establish many contacts with other JPOs, both within the organization and in other agencies. Anyone interested in a career within the UN system can certainly benefit greatly from a JPO position.
Could you tell us about a funny anecdote or a curious tradition that you have experienced in your duty station?
When I first attended a large meeting with the Member States, I was looking forward to having coffee and some delicious sweets during the coffee break. However, only fruit was served. I was a bit disappointed, but on the other hand, it showed that the WHO practices what it preaches (reducing sugar consumption…). Later, I realized that this is fortunately not always the case, and sometimes cookies are served during the coffee breaks as well.
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