LocationsJPO Story - Luisa Monse
September 21, 2023
Luisa during a meeting in New York with permanent missions to the United Nations.
What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelors’ degree in Political Science, a Bachelors’ degree in International Relations, and a Masters’ degree in Global Political Economy from Stockholm University.
What made you apply to the JPO programme/what is your motivation to work with UNDP?
The idea of working in an international organization with colleagues from around the world to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges has been my dream for a long time. To me, the UN is the ultimate place that represents this dream. Even though I loved my previous job, I could not resist applying when I saw a position with the Accelerator Labs, which focus on finding new ways of achieving development results through innovation.
What are the main activities/tasks you are working on?
I serve as our team’s focal point for Private Sector Partnerships, Gender and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and I work in various areas related to these topics. From New York, where I am based, I work with a project that covers innovation Labs in 91 countries. Since much of the work is conducted online, this usually means early mornings for me to have meetings with colleagues in time zones in Africa, Europe, and Asia. My daily tasks vary quite a lot. The last couple of months I worked with establishing a new partnership with IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and the NGO Ashoka. For that, I designed the content of the partnership together with our partners, conducted a due diligence of IKEA and prepared the partnership formalities. I’m very excited to experiment with new ways of connecting knowledge networks as part of this partnership!
In your day-to-day work, what SDG(s) are you helping to implement?
I work across all SDGs, but as focal point for gender equality and private sector partnerships, I have a specific focus on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 17 (Partnerships).
What is the most challenging project that you have worked on/are working on?
The purpose of the Accelerator Labs Network is to change the way UNDP works. The Accelerator Labs are a learning network for testing new methods, running experiments and finding smarter ways of doing development work. Creating change in a massive organization such as UNDP definitely is challenging, yet it's remarkable to witness the significant progress made in just a few short years, in which we've played a meaningful role.
Swedish JPO Luisa Monse
What has been the most rewarding experience to date for you at your duty station? (work and/or non-work related)
There have been several! Last year, I was able to work with our colleagues in Barbados for a couple of weeks and it was extremely insightful to learn about how digital technologies can help to improve the traceability and sustainability of local fish supply, while also supporting local fisherfolk who are often outsold by fish imports. Another highlight was a regional retreat with all our African Labs in Ethiopia last year. Meeting many Labbers (as we call ourselves in the Accelerator Labs) that I have had contact with over zoom for the first time and having a whole week to dig deeper into the regional activities of our African Labs was extremely insightful.
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
Working with colleagues from around the world always gives me new insights about intercultural interaction, which I find fascinating. Although there are of course individual differences between people, there are certain behaviors that are generally considered professional and suitable in different cultures, and the UN is a fascinating place to see this in action. For example, how groups make decisions, how disagreement is expressed, or how people manage time are things that can vary between different people I work with. Understanding these dynamics, learning more about my own style and adjusting to different people and settings are skills I continuously sharpen by working in such an international environment.
How do you feel your JPO assignment will influence your career choices/opportunities within the UN?
The JPO assignment has been a great way to enter the UN system, I have had the chance to participate in several career development trainings that were valuable both for understanding the organization better but also for reflecting upon my personal goals. In addition, I have been able to travel and get to know country offices to better understand what work would be like outside HQ. Through these opportunities, the program has given me the opportunity to build strong relationships inside the organization and helped me to better understand the dynamics in other parts of the organization.
Do you feel that you are part of a community of purpose?
I think there are few workplaces with such a strong sense of being part of a community of purpose. I believe most people enter the UN with a strong desire to create a more fair and sustainable future. The passion and dedication I see from many colleagues continues to inspire me!
What is the biggest motivator for you when it comes to your work?
My biggest motivator is having challenging tasks that develop my skills, knowing that my work generates impact and working in a team of colleagues that I can learn from and learn with.
Luisa attending a regional workshop of the UNDP Accelerator Labs in Ethiopia
In what ways do you feel UNDP fosters people’s development?
There are various opportunities for career development available for UNDP staff and tailored opportunities for JPOs. My manager has also been extremely supportive of my career development and learning and has supported initiatives such as conducting an assignment at the UNDP country office in Barbados to gain experience of the Accelerator Labs’ work on the ground and getting a certification for project management at UNDP. The JPO Service Center also organized and amazing career boosting workshop with all JPOs with was a great training in self-leadership and career reflection.
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
If you are considering applying, do it! It’s a really well-designed program with lots of opportunities for individual development and a relatively effective way into the UN system. My advice for being a successful applicant is applying for a position that is in line with your strengths, doing a lot of research about the specific position, attending available JPO career seminars for additional advice, and practicing competency-based interviews.
Finally, could you tell us about a funny anecdote or a curious tradition that you have experienced in your duty station?
In my culture, lunch breaks are like team-building extravaganzas. In Sweden, offices have bustling lunchrooms where you stumble upon your new best friend at work and informally discuss projects. But here at the UNDP headquarters, it's a lunch ghost-town with desk dining for most people. It might be an American thing, and I'm still trying to figure it out.
Swedish JPO Luisa Monse at the top of the Rockefeller Centre in New York.
Entering the UN has been a life-changing adventure, both personally and professionally.