Joining the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU)
When I first decided to study international relations as an 18-year-old high school graduate, working at the United Nations one day felt more like an abstract idea than a realistic career plan. Almost 10 years later, I joined UNOAU as a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) in the Political Affairs Section. In my role here, I work on a wide range of topics related to Peace and Security on the African continent, including Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the Peace-Development nexus, Migration, the AU Border Program, Maritime Security and the Central and Southern Africa regions.
In the last five months, I’ve had the opportunity to join and support the preparations for multiple interesting high-level meetings, including the annual conference between the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson and the UN Secretary General, sessions of the AU Peace and Security Council and visits of high-level UN representatives to Addis Abeba. I’ve also had engagements with many technical-level colleagues from the African Union and across the UN system, join thematic discussions and participate in a conference held in Botswana on the legal protection of persons displaced as a result of climate change and disasters. I learned new ways of working across institutions and different backgrounds, navigating complex political environments and building strong relationships to enable our work with the African Union towards our common goals.
Building an International Career as a Young Professional
Throughout my studies, internships and my work here in Ethiopia, I have met hundreds of young people who have the goal of building an international career where they can make a positive impact on people’s lives – both abroad and in their own countries. While the importance of including and supporting future generations is often emphasised, early-career opportunities in this sector are limited. Access to them can be restricted by nationality, mobility and access to private or external funding for unpaid internship opportunities. Moreover, the paradox of needing work experience even for entry-level opportunities creates further barriers for young people to enter the work force.
Being part of the Junior Professional Officer Program, funded through the German Government, has been an immense privilege and a great opportunity to gain experience in the UN system. Before joining this program, my first work experience after university was a similar entry-level junior program at a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) in Germany, which also enabled me to work in Ethiopia for a year. While some similar opportunities are directed at youth from developing countries, it is crucial to make the system more accessible for all youth and promote dedicated career development and mentorship programs.
Different Contexts, Common Aspirations
Both the United Nations and African Union are founded on the idea that countries with different histories, priorities and perspectives can work together towards shared goals, as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. The young professionals entering these institutions should reflect that same diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Creating more accessible pathways into international careers is one step towards making that a reality.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United Nations Office to the African Union.
