LocationsJPO Story - Elin Langemar
February 8, 2024
Elin with a colleague attending a presentation at UN city Copenhagen, 2023
What is your educational background?
My background is in International Relations, Political Science, Water Security and Environmental Communication studies.
What made you apply to the JPO programme/what is your motivation to work with your UN agency?
The JPO programme is a great way to build your professional networks, skills and competencies while having the opportunity to learn in areas with significance for your desired career path in the UN system.
Working for UNDP was an obvious first choice for me as I had already worked in the organization as a United Nations Volunteer Specialist in The Republic of Moldova for two years, leading me to want to continue building on my previous experiences.
One great motivational factor, to apply for this particular position, was that I would get a deeper understanding of the organization by gaining experience working in UNDP HQ. By gaining experience working in the field, as well as in HQ, has allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the complex workings of the organization. I believe that this understanding is crucial if one wants to work towards having a positive change and long-term impact.
What are the main activities/tasks you are working on? What is a day at the office/in the field like?
My main focus is supporting senior leaders in UNDP through capacity development and in designing and implementing other support mechanisms for this group. As such, my work consists of undertaking various kinds of research, such as needs assessments, and the design and development of new and existing initiatives. I am also highly involved in delivering these learning initiatives and facilitating activities, such as online Master classes or leadership discussion groups.
In practical terms, a day at the office usually consists of attending many meetings, both with colleagues in HQ Copenhagen and New York but also with countries where UNDP is implementing its programme activities.
In your day-to-day work, what SDG(s) are you helping to implement?
It would be wrong to say that I am working to implement any particular SDG. Instead, as I support senior leaders who work across the entire Agenda 2030, I would say that I am involved in supporting all SDGs, although the effect and impact will look different depending on in what country you look.
Elin at UNDP Moldova country office in 2019.
What is the most challenging project that you have worked on/are working on?
At the moment, the most challenging and interesting project I am working on, is brought about in close collaboration with two leading UK Universities, where we work to develop an innovative capacity development programme to support senior leaders who lead UNDP’s work in very challenging country contexts. Such challenges might involve keeping an office, and ongoing projects, running in the middle of an outbreak of a coup d'état, a civil war or throughout the devastating impact that a natural disaster can have on a country.
Together with other UNDP colleagues, I am also looking into how the unique competencies and skills of senior leaders in UNDP, such as working in complex settings, can help professionals outside of the organization to better prepare for working in such realities. One might claim that this knowledge is highly relevant today in this day and age.
What has been the most rewarding experience to date for you at your duty station? (work and/or non-work related).
It has been working with a highly dedicated team that seeks to make a difference in this world and learning from this very knowledgeable and diverse group. Undeniably, this is also true for all the leaders I have been in contact with throughout my assignment as a JPO.
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
The assignment has allowed me to develop professionally across a range of areas. However, something I increasingly find important, and also highly engaging to develop, has been the skill of strategizing. This skill entails many diverse parts, such as making sense of a complex situation based on a very broad, or very restricted, range of information, depending on the challenged to be addressed.
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
First, try to collect as much information as you can about what the job as a JPO actually involves. You don’t need to work for a UN agency in order to do good and have an impact in this world. Use the information you find to think of, whether or not, this career path is the right one for you. If you finally decide that you want to apply for a JPO, be active in searching for positions that fit your interest and profile.
The hiring process is very competitive, so I advise you to put all the time and effort you possibly can to perfect your CV and prepare before any interview.
How do you feel your JPO assignment will influence your career choices/opportunities within the UN?
The position has helped me to broaden my profile and develop a set of skills crucial for a career in the UN. It has also helped me figuring out what step I would like to take next in my career.
Elin at UN city Copenhagen, December 2023
Do you feel that you're part of a community of purpose?
In my team, I am most certainly part of a group of people that consider their job as serving a greater purpose.
In what ways do you feel you part of an organization that fosters people’s development?
Looking at my area of work, learning and people development, the organization is continuously working to support staff to continue learning throughout their entire career. Learning and professional development is perceived, by the organization, as crucial for career progression, as well as, for individual engagement. As a JPO, there is a lot of focus on learning. For example, only recently I was invited by my organization to participate in a learning program developed by MIT Presencing Institute called Leadership for Systems Transformation. As such, serving as a JPO, I believe, is a privilege for many various reasons, learning and development opportunities being one of them.
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