JPO Stories
On the way to Beirut:
From JPO in Mexico to UNDP Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative in Lebanon
Marta Ruedas is a former Spanish JPO working with UNDP in Mexico (1988-1990). Now she works as Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative in UNDP Lebanon.
Published in UNDP Bulletin, September 2007.
Vitals:
I was born in Madrid, Spain. I come from a UN family, so we moved around a lot. And I have never lived in one place for more than five years. I have two brothers who are academics, and my sister works for the World Food Programme. I don't have my own family yet which, in a way, makes me a perfect UN employee!
Current post:
Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon and Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative, UNDP Lebanon
Previous post:
Deputy director, Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Independent States, UNDP New York
Her story:
I went to Cornell and Columbia and studied international relations. After school, I went to work for a private company based in San Diego, which made me feel like a glorified salesman. Just about then, Spain began to sponsor junior professional officers for the first time, so I applied. It was much easier then - there were like five applicants for six posts!
My first duty station was Mexico, which I loved. I bought a crappy little car and travelled every weekend - there was an inexhaustible supply of places to visit, all with very different things to see. After Mexico, I went to Mongolia where we had the first non-Russian resident representative after the country's first ever elections. Between 1992 and 2003, I worked in country offices in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, São Tome and Príncipe, Bolivia and Bulgaria - all these places are special to me in their own way. They all have great people and interesting stories.
I've been with UNDP for 19 years now, and the UN is part of me. My next assignment in Lebanon will also give me an opportunity to explore the political aspects of the UN's work, so I am looking forward to it.
Hardest thing I ever had to do:
It's hard to say. But I suppose working in that company in San Diego was hard, mainly because I really didn't like doing it.
Crowning glory:
I think it's better to wait until retirement before I answer this question. And even then, one never knows what may come after retirement.
Last great book read:
I like all sorts of books. But I especially like non-fiction writing, such as history and biography, and science fiction. It depends on what kind of mood I'm in.
Behind the suit:
I run because I can do it anywhere and it doesn't require any special equipment. But I have tendinitis right now from running in the hills when I went to visit my parents in Spain a few weeks ago. I exercise because it allows me to eat what I want. I suppose my favourite food is Spanish, because it is "home" to me - it is therefore my comfort food. But I also like a number of other cuisines, including Lebanese, so I'm looking forward to exploring that in my new job. Because I like food, I'm also a decent cook.
Fondest memory:
There's a small fishing town called San Cipirian in northern Spain we used to go to every summer. It was a tiny place and everyone knew one another. As a child, there were a lot of exciting things to do there, though when I think of it now, there wasn't that much to do.
Indulgence:
I have many - books and arts and photographs, they are all indulgence. I take photos of the places I go to and collect drawings and paintings from local artists.
Would most like to have dinner with:
I'm having a hard time thinking of someone - I'm not very good at answering hypothetical questions.
Inspiration:
I have worked with many great resident representatives and some not-so-great ones. And you can learn valuable lessons from both of them. The former teaches you how to do things; the latter teaches you what not to do.
The most important thing is to do what is right for you. For instance, my sister works for the World Food Programme because, for her, working directly with people on the ground is more fulfilling than working at policy level. There is something for everyone, and there are people for everything.
Why it's all worth it:
Why it's all worth it: Working with UNDP has been a very rewarding experience, especially because it has an impact on people. That's important for me.
