LocationsJPO Story - Hiroki Maruno
July 5, 2024
In a field mission with the Arab Development Society in Jericho, 2024
What is your educational background?
I have an MSc in Climate Change, Development and Policy from University of Sussex (UK).
What made you apply to the JPO Programme/what is your motivation to work with your UN agency?
I was already motivated to apply for the JPO Programme when I switched my career to the development field from the banking sector in 2014. I had an opportunity to work for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the environmental field that made me consider tackling climate change in the UN.
The JPO Programme provides a highly effective pathway for those aiming to build a career within the United Nations. It offers invaluable opportunities for professional development and growth. Drawing from my previous experience as a UN Volunteer at the UNDP Malawi Country Office, my current JPO position appeared to me as the next career path to strengthen and apply my skills in a different region. Furthermore, the JPO Service Centre also provides a wide range of support, including career development, learning and networking opportunities.
One particularly appealing aspect of working on climate change at UNDP is the chance to contribute to formulating and implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are each country's greenhouse gas reduction targets based on the Paris Agreement. Through working on the ground, I have had the opportunities to experience the dynamics of not only providing climate policy support to the government but also collaborating with NGOs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), private companies, and academic institutions to implement climate projects. Being able to witness such diverse experiences and changes up close serves as motivation for working at UNDP.
What are the main activities/tasks you are working on? What is a day at the office/in the field like?
Programme for the Assistance of the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) has three offices located in East Jerusalem, Ramallah (West Bank) and Gaza. At the time that I write this article, the situation in Gaza remains very challenging. However, in the past, I used to shuttle between these three offices for work and I visit the field several times for project preparation, implementation and monitoring. Visiting project sites, engaging with local communities, and observing the outcomes of projects are great experiences that make me feel the sense of change. Analyzing project-related information and collaborating with partners to plan project activities is highly rewarding.
Currently, I am overseeing a Climate-Smart Agriculture project that focuses on promoting a circular economy in the Jordan Valley by promoting wastewater reuse produced by dairy farming for agricultural use, and advance the use of biogas generated from cattle manure, which is then converted into electricity. Additionally, this project also improves the resource efficiency in dairy production facilities and processes, emphasizing the effective use of limited resources. This project will be serving as a model case for other Palestinian dairy farmers, particularly in a region where water resources are scarce and energy resources are heavily reliant on imports.
Hiroki Maruno, Climate Change and Environment Officer at UNDP Jerusalem, 2024
In your day-to-day work, what SDG(s) are you helping to implement?
As a climate change focal point, I am contributing to achieving SDG 13, Climate Action, which is also intricately linked to other SDGs.
What is the most challenging project that you have worked on/are working on?
I am currently responsible for preparing the country project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Climate and Health Co-investment Facility Coordination Programme, which aims to enhance decarbonization and provide low-carbon solutions with the healthcare facilities and healthcare system in the West Bank. Since the project is scheduled to kick off next year, I am working on making contracts with a number of international and national consultants on coordination, baseline assessments, feasibility studies, gender analysis and Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) analyses within a tight schedule. To ensure the quality of the upcoming project, it is necessary to outline detailed each consultant's tasks and timelines for analyse baseline information and issues on the ground. Coordinating with various ministries and potential partners to define their appropriate tasks and outcomes is challenging.
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
The ability to analyze and synthesize various pieces of information gathered through consultations with the government and other international organizations has been enhanced. Additionally, the capacity to plan and organize tasks with a strategic future outlook has been strengthened.
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
The selection processes for the JPO Programme vary among partner countries, so I would say it is hard to make generalizations. However, I believe it is essential to start researching what type of candidates including your career backgrounds, skills and competencies are ideal for your target institution. Also, it is good to consider how you will be perceived by the organization and panel members when preparing for the exam. Being seen as someone who is comfortable to work with is crucial. However, it is not about behaving exactly like that in the interview; it is more about softly incorporating such elements into your own style.
I believe the most important aspect is to keep trying and accumulate lessons and experiences, even if you do not pass the selection process. Even through processes such as document and interview preparation, you will get valuable opportunities to reflect on yourself.
How do you feel your JPO assignment will influence your career choices/opportunities within the UN?
This has been something I have been aspiring for a long time, but now that I have achieved it, I must continue to move forward. Being part of the UNDP staff in the State of Palestine has provided me with diverse experiences, knowledge, and skills. It works as a catalyst for considering what I want to do in the future within the UN system or other organizations. Particularly, my international career has already taken me through Central America and the Caribbean, Africa, and now the Middle East, where climate change work remains crucial across all regions, though providing support requires profound understanding diverse contexts and cultures. I would say that it is essential to expand one's capacity and perspective to consider what people think and need on a daily basis. Despite the various challenges in the State of Palestine, this assignment has further broadened my horizons.
If you had to summarize your JPO experience into a couple of brief sentences or less, what you would say?
During a JPO assignment, one may encounter a range of unexpected events, both positive and negative. On October 7, 2023, marking one year since my arrival in the State of Palestine, I have to say my living and working environment also experienced a significant change, while my previous working responsibilities had been progressing well. In this tough and unpredictable time, I have faced many inner conflicts. However, I believed there would still be a space for me to contribute to the Palestinian people, especially in the environmental field. Thus, I have been trying to leverage my skills and make a difference. In these kind of international careers, uncertainties are inevitable, so I would like to highlight the importance of maintaining a calm and adaptable mindset to address any challenges that may arise.
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