JPO Stories
Questions to Francesco Galtieri
Francesco Galtieri is an Italian JPO currently assigned to the UNDP-UNDGO in New York.
Vitals
Name
Francesco Galtieri
Where are you from?
Matera (UNESCO world heritage town - maybe a sign), Italy.
What is your background?
Master's degree in International Relations and International Law, at the end of a Ph.D. in Political and Social systems of Contemporary Africa.
JPO Assignment
When and where have you worked as a JPO?
UN Development Group Office, New York, from Dec 2006 to June 2008 (on the move to take over a new UN assignment as UN Coordination Practice Specialist).
What has been your assignment as a JPO?
Policy Specialist, within the Coordination Capacity Support cluster of UNDGO. I was mainly in charge of supporting UNCTs capacities through training and learning on different UNDG initiatives (mainly related to the strategic planning processes), elaborating policy feedback from UNCTs implementation of RC system related initiatives, serve as country focal point on coordination activities for Central Asia and on Delivering as one pilot (Tanzania).
Which random words come to your mind when thinking about your JPO years?
Travel, for the amount of travelling I have done to support and facilitate programming processes at the country level; UNDAF since it has been my bread and butter along my assignment; "Please, fix it" a sign of my supervisor's trust in my capacities to solve some of the working challenges for our team along this year and a half.
Do you remember your "best moment" as a JPO?
No doubt one of the best moments was when I got the confirmation of the assignment, because of the great opportunity to join DGO and move to NYC at the same time. Job related, I think the official and public acknowledgment by UNCTs for the work done in a couple of complex countries, while accompanying their programming process.
Career path
What has been your career path with UNDP until now?
I joined UNDP as a UN Volunteer Communication Specialist in 2002 in the Local Development Unit of UNDP Burkina Faso, where I mainly worked on MDG advocacy. After that I became UNV Programme Office for Burkina Faso, animating the UNV team and managing some UNV executed programmes accompanying the decentralisation process, HIV/AIDS prevention in schools and working with marginalised youth. Before leaving Burkina Faso I was leading the RC Office for one year, where I got an opportunity to learn about the UN reform agenda. That made me move to DGO and now has given me the opportunity to facilitate the dialogue among the community of coordination practitioners.
In what way has your JPO assignment shaped your career?
Since my JPO assignment came after more than 4 years with the UN, I took it as an opportunity to join DGO and to be part of the community of young UN professionals. I am glad I could keep certain coherence along my experience, moving from programme implementation and management to coordination at both country and HQ level.
What are your major lessons learned during your career with UNDP in terms of professional growth, career planning and opportunities?
There is a lot of ongoing work to re-align the organisation and its policies to the new context of development aid and the UN positioning in there. I think that a greater focus needs to be put on the implementation of HR strategies that keep into consideration talent management and staff competency and career development. The flexibility of job funding shall not affect the professional perspective for good people, otherwise it will be difficult to retain talents.
What is your motivation to work in the field of development?
Helping the world dynamics make more sense, by focusing on improving people's lives. I do understand many of the political challenges of development processes, yet the multilateral development system, and in particular the UN for our inclusive membership and nature, shall push towards sensible choices, sometimes highlighting some of the political contradictions in the politics of development pushed by some of our Members States.
Most enriching professional achievement so far?
A few, mostly during my UNV period. Probably achievements in community programmes are the most significant ones to remember since they have such an immediate impact on people's smiles. In particular, the success rate of some of the street young people that one of our UNV programmes helped ending their professional training path.
What kind of advice would you give to JPOs?
It is difficult to say, since our experiences may be so different. I think that we should always try to be optimistic and bring a positive contribution to solve some of our systemic problems. I always liked the image suggested by Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the boy-scout movement, of each of us kicking the "im-" away of the word "impossible". And I think that the system may need the fresh energy and ideas of "young kickers".
By the way...
Your crowning glory:
Too early to have one, I guess. So much to learn and work on yet. So far, I am happy and rewarded any time I get a sense that I did what was expected from me and I did it well. I am grateful I met on my way inspiring colleagues and supervisors that made me feel appreciated and helped me grow as a professional.
The last favourite book you read:
"Il giorno in piu" ("The extra-day") by Fabio Volo, a young Italian comedian who happens to be a very good writer too. Lot of feelings and thoughts I identified with.
Behind the suit:
A swimming suit, to train. A piano, to play and spend some time on something I love, such as music. A pair of comfortable shoes to walk around and discover the world.
Favourite quote:
"If there is a solution, why worry? If there's no solution, why worry?", Aristotele. How many times this has been going in my mind.
Inspiration:
The UN Charter, as simple as such; as complex as such.
