Impactpool Career Podcast is for all of you who are interested in a career within the United Nations, European Union, Development Banks, intergovernmental or non-governmental organisations. By following this podcast, you are going to hear interviews with people who are having remarkable careers within this field. Listen to their stories about how they once entered into this type of career, the choices that they have made, challenges that they have faced, and, not least, hear what advice they can…
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In this episode we meet Rudy Perecin Mareño, Global Program Lead for Talent Discovery at the World Bank Group. With over 20 years of experience advancing global talent, careers, and workforce development across mission-driven organizations, including the World Bank Group, the Inter-American Development Bank, and USAID-affiliated initiatives, Rudy shares practical insights into what it takes to…
What does it take to move the needle on diversity in a large international organisation? In this episode, we meet with Louise Carvalho, Diversity & Inclusion Programme Leader at CERN, to talk about 25 by '25, a five-year, organisation-wide diversity drive with a clear deadline and measurable targets. We discuss what worked, what didn't, and why the hardest part may still lie ahead: ensuring that…
The Hidden Support System: How Governments Help You Land International Jobs Most international job seekers go it alone. But in many countries, government support for UN, EU, and multilateral careers exists, is free, and often completely unknown. In this episode, we meet with Anita Konijn, Dutch Ambassador and National Coordinator for International Positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,…
How does the Danish Refugee Council recruit for operations across 30+ countries, many in protracted conflict zones? Iosif Emmanouil Sofios, Recruitment Specialist at DRC, explains how to balance speed with safeguarding standards, what really matters beyond your CV, and why transferable skills from other sectors count more than you might think. Whether you're considering humanitarian work or…
What does it really take to build a meaningful career in the UN system? Join us as Gerhard Tripp, Chief of Planning, Contracting and Reporting at UNOV, shares nearly three decades of experience spanning four continents. From breaking in through the Young Professionals Programme to navigating field assignments in challenging duty stations, Gerhard offers honest insights on career flexibility,…
Thinking about a career move? Before you accept that offer, there's one question you should be asking: What does onboarding look like here? In this episode, we meet with Meghan Parinussa, Director Customer Success at Appical about why onboarding isn't just something that happens TO you, it's a critical factor in YOUR success, job satisfaction, and decision to stay or leave. In this podcast you…
How does a year in an Ethiopian village at age 22 shape a career leading international climate finance? In this episode, Satu Santala, Managing Director of the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), shares her unplanned journey from NGO work through diplomacy and the World Bank Board to her current role. Discover what makes NDF unique in the climate finance landscape, how to build a meaningful career in…
As the UN marks 80 years of service, Liliana Nieves shares what it really takes to build effective humanitarian teams. From recruiting during a cholera outbreak in South Sudan to achieving gender parity at UN headquarters, she reveals: ✅ Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills ✅ How to tackle unconscious bias in hiring ✅ The direct link between strategic recruitment and…
Join us for an insightful conversation with Yvonne Helle, former UNDP special representative and senior leader who climbed from entry-level P1 to D2 over 31 years in the UN system. In this candid interview, Yvonne shares her experiences navigating some of the world's most challenging contexts—Haiti, Sudan, Palestine, and Syria—while offering practical career advice for international development…
Think INTERPOL is just for cops chasing international criminals? Think again! Join us as we sit down with Danielle Garcia (Head of Talent Acquisition) and Magda Vigoureux (Assistant Director in Corporate Services) to reveal the surprising truth about careers at the world's largest international police organization. Discover how professionals from 138 nationalities contribute to global safety…
Ever wondered what it takes to reach the top at the OECD—the organization shaping global economic policy for 38 countries? Meet Daniel Fuster, Head of Human Resources at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, who transformed from a questioning young lawyer in Costa Rica to leading talent strategy at one of the world's most influential international bodies. Discover how the…
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Amsterdam-based philosopher Karim Benammar, who's challenging the very foundations of how we recruit and think about talent. In this episode, Karim shares his radical ideas about hiring – from why you should consider candidates who 'hate' your company to why university degrees might be completely irrelevant. Drawing on his international background,…
Ready to make a real impact? Join Mohini Ghai-Kramer, Head of Learning and Development at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as she reveals what it really takes to break into humanitarian work. Discover the two distinct career pathways at ICRC - the specialist route for experts and the unique generalist path developed in-house. Learn about essential skills like intercultural…
Join Satomi Ogata, founder of Beyond Bias and late-diagnosed neurodivergent HR professional, as she shares 15 years of insights from international organizations. Discover why traditional DEI approaches often fail neurodivergent talent, learn practical strategies for creating truly inclusive workplaces, and get game-changing interview questions to evaluate potential employers. From Singapore to UN…
Join Fiona Brazil, Head of HR at the European Southern Observatory, for insights into careers building the world's most powerful telescopes. From 8-day shifts in Chile's Atacama Desert to engineering the "Extremely Large Telescope," discover what it's really like working for an organization that pushes the boundaries of human knowledge. Fiona shares practical advice on breaking into international…
When WHO economist Tania Cernuschi couldn't sleep through her children's coughing in January 2025, she had an audacious idea: what if one billion people each donated just one dollar to support global health? Within days of launching the One World Movement, it was raising $10,000 daily and has now generated over $500,000 from 10,000+ supporters. In this episode, Tania and WHO Foundation's Sandra…
After 20 years at the United Nations, Amar Bokhari took a leap of faith to revitalize his family's textile business in Pakistan. In this episode, discover how he transformed a traditional rug company into a thriving social enterprise that employs 450 people, provides free education to 1,000 children, and operates on 100% solar power. Amar shares his unique perspective as a Norwegian-Pakistani…
Join us for an insightful conversation with Christel Adamou, HR Director at the OPEC Fund for International Development. Discover what makes this Vienna-based multilateral development bank unique, from its diverse workforce to its focus on impactful projects fighting poverty worldwide. Christel shares valuable career advice from her 20 years in international development, discusses entry pathways…
In this episode of the Impactpool podcast series, we meet with Ines Olano, Chief of Talent Management at the Inter-American Development Bank. With 30 years of global experience at companies like Unilever, Bayer, and Honeywell, Ines shares insights on cross-cultural leadership, women's development initiatives, and her transition from corporate to development sectors. Learn about practical…
In this Impactpool podcast, we sit down with Sarah Clapham, Science Policy Officer at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Sarah shares her remarkable journey from chemistry researcher to international policy expert while offering valuable insights into navigating STEM fields as both a woman and a neurodivergent professional. Discover how Sarah's neurodivergent…
In this episode we meet with Scott Fitzgerald, Head of Talent Acquisition at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. We speak about how this multilateral organization is powering sustainable infrastructure across Asia, from renewable energy in Kazakhstan to satellite connectivity in Indonesia. Scott shares insights from his journey from rural Canada to Beijing, offers practical advice on…
In this inspiring Impactpool Podcast, Eugenia Olliaro shares her remarkable career path from working in the service industry to becoming the Manager of Data Governance at UNICEF. Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes Eugenia speaks about how her experiences across nearly ten countries shaped her perspective, from her early work with migrant communities to her roles as a UN Volunteer in…
What does it take to build a career advancing sustainable development across cultures and continents? Hear Jean-Luc Marcelin, Talent Acquisition and Partnership Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) share his journey in international development and valuable insights for aspiring UN professionals! Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes
From military service to managing global talent - in this episode, we meet with Micheal Conneely, Director of Human Resources Management at UNIDO. Micheal shares his fresh perspectives on how traditional career paths are evolving in international organizations; how to ensure promoting diversity and inclusion in a global workforce; the role of AI and automation in transforming HR practices and the…
In this episode, intern Emma Nijssen takes us behind the scenes at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), sharing insights from her roles in accreditation and investment operations. From navigating project partnerships to discovering unexpected career opportunities, Emma discusses what it really takes to join this unique climate finance institution and make the most of the experience. Music by Merlijn…
In this Impactpool Podcast, we meet with the ICC's Talent Acquisition Team Lead, Daiga Barone. We look at the challenges and strategies of recruitment and human resources management; Daiga shares her own diverse career path, from the private sector to the public service of the ICC, and discusses the ICC's efforts to efficiently process a surge of job applications while ensuring diversity and…
Impactpool meets with Michael Emery, Director, Division for Human Resources Management at IOM - UN Migration. Micheal has a long working history in HR and dare we say it, always interesting stories to share! In this podcast we speak about his broad experience as an HR director, his take on advancing an inclusive workplace; the positive impact the Covid pandemic may have had on staff wellbeing…
In this podcast, we meet with Sophie Rwegera Khadhraoui who is the Head of Staffing Division at the International Committee of the Red Cross. In our discussion we touch upon Sophie’s career path in the ICRC, the insights that data analytics bring in the decision-making process for workforce planning, and how the ICRC nurtures talent and facilitates staff mobility within the organization,…
In this Impactpool podcast episode, we meet with Liza Rubinstein - Co-Founder and Head of Impact at Carbon Equity. Carbon Equity focuses on investments in climate technology solutions with a vision of a carbon net-zero economy. Through different investment portfolios, it enables investors to contribute to a sustainable future - a true company with impact. As we meet at their office in Amsterdam we…
In this Impactpool podcast, we meet with global health expert Dr. Deepa Pindolia. Deepa has over a decade of experience in strategically leading malaria and Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) programs across Africa. Amongst others, she has worked for the Clinton Health Access Initiative and is now employed as a Consultant at the World Health Organisation. In this episode we discuss, amongst others,…
In this podcast Regional Director Asia Bushra Zulfiqar speaks about why girls get married early; what can be done, what is being done to address this issue and the challenges Terre des Hommes encounters to arrive at a child-marriage-free Asia. Globally, each year, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18. This is 23 girls every minute and one girl every three seconds. These are staggering…
In this podcast, we meet with Olufemi Elias, former Registrar (United Nations Assistant Secretary-General) of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). Today, he works as an independent Judge for ‘Administrative Tribunals’ and a visiting Professor in International Law at Queen Mary, University of London. Amongst others, we discuss his fascination with the international…
In this episode of our Impactpool podcast series, we meet with Paolo Bernasconi, the Director of Human Resources of the OSCE. We discuss quite a few topics that have to do with attitudes and behaviours in the workplace. In the discussion, Paolo speaks about the importance of vulnerability: we speak about HR being a safe space and the importance it plays in the individual growth of people. We also…
In this episode, we meet with Ndunge Evelyn Pavao who works as the Associate HR Director, Talent Acquisition at Clinton Health Access Initiative and is also the founder of Kweli Noir, a review website created for anyone who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color. We speak about her role in CHAI, and what they are looking for when recruiting; we dive into what it means to…
In this episode, we speak with David about his belief on how HR can make a strong impact on the well-being of staff in the public sector, and how the intelligence, skills, commitment, passion, and courage of the people who work for them make the difference. We touch upon the grading system of the UN; and how to make a real difference when it comes to Diversity and Inclusion in your hiring of…
In this episode of our Impactpool podcast series we meet with Catty Bennet Sattler, the Director of Human Resources of the UNHCR. We touch upon her passion for HR and her care for personal wellbeing, how to prepare when you are interested to work in the humanitarian field, and, last but not least, what Catty believes has been critical as a personal trait throughout her career. Music by Merlijn…
Impactpool Career Podcast with Claudia Rodriguez - UN OCHA by Impactpool for Career Growth
International Organizartion for Migration (IOM) - Jo Rispoli Chairman of the Global Staff Association Committee
Learn about what are the policies and regulations rolled out at the IOM to protect, and support their staff.
Saman Saidi is the Humanitarian Communications Manager at Save the Children. Saman has worked with Communication for many years and has extensive humanitarian experience. In this episode, he explains what it was like to save people from drowning in the mediterranean sea, what it is like to constantly be on stand-by to go to an emergency, and why he started to work with Communication in the first…
Saman Saidi is the Humanitarian Communications Manager at Save the Children. Saman has worked with Communication for many years and has extensive humanitarian experience. In this episode, he explains what it was like to save people from drowning in the mediterranean sea, what it is like to constantly be on stand-by to go to an emergency, and why he started to work with Communication in the first…
Sandra Kukla is the Reporting Specialist at the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan in Kabul. Sandra moved from working in the private sector to the field of international development and a job in Afghanistan. In this episode, she explains why and how she made that shift in her career, what she finds as most rewarding about working in the global impact sector, and what it’s like to be a woman…
Gerard Rebello is the Head of Supply Chain at WFP in Nigeria. Gerard has worked with logistics for many years and has an extensive humanitarian experience. In this episode, he explains how his work helps people in need to receive food, what it’s like to work with logistics in humanitarian situations, and how he got into that field in the first place. - You might literally have to even have donkeys…
Anna Cook is the Deputy Group Leader – Talent Acquisition at CERN in Geneva. Anna has a longstanding experience in working with human resources and talent acquisition. In this episode, she explains what she looks for when reading CV’s and application letters, which skills she sees as the most needed, and why she went into the field of human resources. - I always had a very keen interest in people…
Learn directly from a Recruitment Manager’s voice at UN Secretariat how to succeed in your career at UN Secretariat? See to him explaining how he got there himself and what are they looking for in candidates. He told us his best advice for a successful career at the United Nations and much more. Our conversation answers some of the following questions: -What career decision accelerated his career…
Rana Ghoneim is the Chief, Energy Systems and Infrastructure Division at UNIDO in Vienna. Rana has a longstanding experience in working with UNIDO and in the energy sector. In this episode, she explains how her work helps mitigate climate change, what it’s like to work in the energy sector, and why she got into that field in the first place. - It’s the fact that I see that we are really making a…
We had a conversation with Roupen Alexandrian who holds the position of Senior Officer, Durable Solutions at UNHCR, based in one of the biggest refugee camps today. We asked him all the details that will help you have a clear idea of how successful careers happen at the United Nations.
Listen to our podcast with Stefano Olmeti, a global coach who specializes in working internationally with mission-driven professionals and change-makers. Learn from his experience as the Coaching Manager of the World Bank Group, where he directed 1,000+ coaching engagements to assist staff worldwide in preparing for career advancements, enhancing impact, and transitioning successfully to new…
Impactpool has interviewed Antonia de Meo, Chief of Human Rights and Rule of Law Service in United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Representative of Office of UNHCR in Libya, Based in Tripoli
In this episode, we talk to Thomas Neufing, currently heading the Centre for Learning and Multilingualism (CLM) at UNOG. Thomas has focused over the last 15 years on leadership and management development programmes. Listen about his educational and professional background in various development programmes and humanitarian and peacekeeping assignments.
