JPO Stories
Questions to a former JPO: Nick Hartmann
Nick Hartmann is a former UNDP JPO in Guinea Bissau (1996-1997) and New York (1998-2000). He is now Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP Office in Lebanon.
Vital
Where are you from?
I am from Denmark.
What is your background?
I am a half-German, half-Dane, raised in Japan. I attended a Canadian school there but am stuck with an American accent. I attained my economics degrees in the UK, and then started my career as a stagiare at the European Commission in Brussels. After working at the American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels, I joined UNDP as a JPO in 1996. I am now living in Lebanon where I have been assigned as Deputy Resident Representative.
JPO assignment
When and where did you work as a JPO?
1996-1997 in Guinea-Bissau, and 1998-2000 in New York.
What was your assignment as a JPO?
I started as a Junior Economist in Guinea-Bissau, and was later reassigned to New York as Evaluation Analyst.
Which random words come to your mind when thinking about your JPO years?
Adventure, inspiration, and privilege, but also "reality-check" and more often than not, given the many tasks at hand, "near-aneurysm". I mean the latter in a positive sense; I arrived at the UN rather gung-ho but willing to learn, having written a thesis about international aid and trade. I have since become much more aware of the limitations of the development system, but therefore also more grounded and practical. So far, I am lucky not to need to add "malaria" or "dengue" to the list!
Do you remember your "best moment" as a JPO?
The minute the UN Designated Official for security confirmed to the UN staff that the French destroyer had arrived at the port and that we would be evacuated to Dakar, Senegal, that night. We had spent more than a week at the Casino in Bissau, where we had congregated after the war broke out in June, 2007.
Post JPO career path
What has been your career path with UNDP until now?
After my assignment as Evaluation Analyst in the Evaluation Office in New York, I moved to the "Emergency Response Division" which became today's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. In this period I was involved in developing many of UNDP's new management and planning tools. After three years there as desk officer for Asia and the Pacific, I was assigned to the Solomon Islands as "UN Peace and Development Coordinator." While a small country, it was the best combination of programme, operations, and representation experience that I could have had at that stage of my career. There is nothing like running your own (albeit small) office. Thereafter, I accepted a secondment to the Executive Office of the Secretary-General following the transfer of Mark Malloch-Brown (former UNDP Administrator) to the Secretariat as Kofi Annan's new Chef de Cabinet (and eventually Deputy SG). I worked in the office of Louise Frechette (former DSG), specifically on tasks relating to UN management reform following the fallout from the Oil-For-Food debacle. After two years in this position, I decided to return to the field and was offered the Deputy position in UNDP Lebanon.
In what way has your JPO assignment shaped your career?
The head of UNDP's Human Resources once told us that we should pursue a "T-shaped" Learning curve. That is, one should choose one theme as your main area of practice, but make sure to also have a secondary (presumably intersecting) area of expertise. My JPO experience exposed me to development, humanitarian, and conflict work in Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, and New York taught me much about corporate management and planning and the politics of international development. My conflict and management "curve" today thus has its origins in my JPO days, which I have further pursued in the Solomon Islands, the SG's Office, and now in Lebanon.
What are your major lessons learned during your career with UNDP in terms of professional growth, career planning and opportunities?
First, invest in yourself. Choose positions and assignments that you need to grow into, and aim to have the organisation invest in your personal and career development as well. I was fortunate to become a JPO and an eventual graduate of the 2000 Leadership Development Programme, both examples of a donor and the organisation investing in you. In today's post-lifetime contract, and more competitive world, it's all about learning and investing in our human resources, starting with yourself.
What is your motivation to work in the field of development?
A friend of mine says that "it's the right fight." While the UN is a complicated and politically-charged environment covering the three pillars of Peace & Security, Development, and Human Rights, it does represent 192 Member States, and therefore is the only place in the world where every country has a vote. While this principle complicates the management of such an organisation immensely, it is a noble starting point, and all else is a question of fighting our way to a workable solution, warts and all.
Most enriching professional achievement so far?
I was privileged to be one of the authors of the Secretary-General's 2006 "Investing in the UN: For a Stronger Organisation Worldwide" report. After months of negotiation with Member States and inputs from external experts, we proposed many far-reaching reforms on UN management to the General Assembly, from the "One UN Contract" to proposing a core staffing structure for peacekeeping. Not all have since gained traction or will be implemented, but I am glad that a few will become reality and will hopefully have a positive impact on how the UN will manage its human and financial resources. I learned much about Member State politics, UN policies, and how the 38th Floor functions, which has provided me with a valuable depth of understanding as to how the UN operates outside of the development world I had gotten used to.
What kind of advice would you give to JPOs?
Work hard, but also be strategic. Know not only where you want to work, and in what field, but also who you want to work for. Don't hesitate to contact those that you think could lend you a helping hand. In some cultures it is considered impolite to stick your nose out, but in others it is considered taking the initiative. The UN has a bit of each and everything in between, but on the whole my feeling is that done correctly and politely, there is always someone willing to be impressed and who will take a chance on you. After all, as the venerable Dr. Seuss said, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
By the way...
Your crowning glory:
I am still waiting my "crowning glory" but I do recall feeling most glorious and worthy of a crown the moment I crossed the finishing line of the 2006 New York City Marathon after six months of training. Instant gratification and reward. Work should be more like this.
The last favourite book you read:
"Salt" by Mark Kurlansky, and "Scents of Eden" by Charles Corn. While we know from 8th Grade history of the exploits of Ferdinand Magellan and Mahatma Gandhi, these books tie these and many other historical characters together within the context of the salt monopolies and the spice trade. It cannot but strike me repeatedly how empires were to no small degree built and destroyed depending on how they exploited and managed the two strategic assets of.salt and pepper. You will begin to use the black and white shakers on your lunch table with a newfangled respect and sense of wonder. Most recommended reading.
Behind the suit:
I am an avid photographer and diver, and needless to say, love to travel. I am currently studying Arabic in Lebanon, and look forward to not being the only reason why meetings have to be in French or English.
Favourite quote:
I have many, but my favourite is by Golda Meir, a former Israeli PM: "Don't be humble, you're not that great."
