LocationsJPO Story - Francois Lescop
July 18, 2024
Francois (seventh from left) during a field visit of the Japan Delegation in May 2024
What is your educational background?
My background could be considered "unconventional" within the United Nations. I began my professional life as a clinical nurse within organizations aiding marginalized individuals (homeless, drug users, sex workers, etc.). Soon, I realized that to make a real difference in people's lives, I needed to attain positions within larger organizations. I pursued a Master's degree in Humanitarian Project Management at the of 3A School in Lyon in France, and immediately joined the NGO Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI) in program management roles (first in Yemen and then in the Central African Republic). Driven by my desire to increase my impact, I resolved to join the United Nations, which has a much broader capacity for humanitarian response but also a political weight on governments, and policy making means. I pursued a second Master's degree in Development Studies at the University of Rome, and subsequently joined the World Food Programme (WFP) in Burkina Faso.
What made you apply to the JPO programme/what is your motivation to work with your UN agency?
The JPO programme is widely recognized in the sector as the optimal entry point into the UN system, and at 32 years old, it was my final opportunity to pursue it. UNRWA provided me with the chance to uphold my values in one of the world's longest-standing humanitarian crises. However, working with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon has shown me that issues such as social exclusion, injustice, and poverty know no geographical boundaries. While I believe my work as a nurse was equally important, I now feel that thanks to this JPO, I have a greater capacity to make an impact on the world on my own terms.
Francois Lescop, Donor Relations and Project Support Officer UNRWA
What are the main activities/tasks you are working on? What is a day at the office/in the field like?
As a Donor Relations and Project Support Officer, my role involves two main responsibilities. Firstly, I ensure that UNRWA's activities have the financial resources necessary to meet the needs of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon. Secondly, I support program teams in planning and managing projects.
Resource mobilization is predominantly a political task, involving maintaining trust with our government donors. This entails regular meetings with embassies, organizing official visits, sharing information on needs and contextual developments, preparing project proposals and technical reports, among other duties.
The second aspect of my role is project-oriented. Given the scale of UNRWA's programs—for instance, Lebanon's health program, which includes 27 clinics across refugee camps—it's essential to plan, coordinate, and oversee implementation in the field. I act as a liaison between the project and the donor, ensuring activities operate smoothly and align with international standards, while also updating donors on their progress.
What has been the most rewarding experience to date for you at your duty station?
The outbreak of war in Gaza and along the Lebanon border in October 2023, thrust the Palestinian issue back into the media spotlight. Already weakened by chronic funding shortages, UNRWA had to adapt and confront an unprecedented increase in needs and challenges. By early January, following allegations from Israel regarding the involvement of UNRWA members in the October 7 attacks, the majority of donor governments froze or withdrew their funding from UNRWA, placing the Agency in an extremely challenging situation. At this crucial moment in the Agency's history, as well as in the region, my role in Donor Relations made me feel professionally aligned exactly where I needed to be, and although my contribution remains modest, I am glad that my skills are being used in service of a more just world.
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
Being a JPO represents a unique opportunity to hold a position of responsibility within the UN system while being recognized as a learner. Our agencies invest significantly in our professional development despite heavy workloads, providing us with opportunities to enhance our skills. Coming from a background in on-the-ground implementation of humanitarian projects myself, my current assignment has allowed me to develop skills in diplomatic relations and international political affairs, thereby enhancing my profile for the future.
Francois at a JPO Workshop at UNSSC in 2023
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
To those considering applying for a JPO position, I would emphasize the unique opportunity to learn during a UN contract and the importance of sometimes setting aside one's ego. "JPO" stands for Junior, which means despite our significant professional backgrounds, we begin afresh with entry-level responsibilities.
How do you feel your JPO assignment will influence your career choices/opportunities within the UN?
Coming from a modest academic background with a strong focus on field experience, I have at times struggled with impostor syndrome within the United Nations, which boasts many brilliant individuals with outstanding academic achievements. The JPO programme, known for its high demands and consequent reputation, adds credibility to my profile as a professional in international organizations. It allows me to consider career opportunities that I never dared to dream of before, such as in political affairs and diplomacy.
Furthermore, the sense of belonging to a cohort within the programme is very strong. Not only is there strong mutual support among members of the same cohort, but many senior professionals within the UN are former JPOs themselves, inclined to share their experiences within this extensive network.
Could you tell us about a funny anecdote or a curious tradition that you have experienced in your duty station?
Lebanese people have a unique relationship with car horns. Sometimes, stuck in Beirut traffic jams, when one person starts honking out of boredom, gradually all the other cars join in, just for fun, creating a unique symphony of car horns that has its own musical charm.
The JPO programme is an unique opportunity to join the United Nations while furthering one's learning journeyFrancois Lescop
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