JPO Stories
10 Questions to a current JPO: Simran Sarabjit Singh
Simran Sarabjit Singh is an Indian JPO funded by the Netherlands working on poverty and economic issues with UNDP in Ghana.
1. Name
Simran Sarabjit Singh
2. Duty Station
Accra, Ghana.
3. Where are you from?
I am from India.
4. What did you study?
MA Political Science and MSC Development Studies.
5. What were your pre-JPO professional experiences?
After graduating in December 2002, from the LSE, I came back home to start my now five year association with the UN system. In February 2003 I started with UNIDO, as a research assistant and subsequently with UNDP as the United Nations Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF) Analyst and Coordination Specialist in the office of the UN Resident Coordinator till October 2005. As a JPO, in Ghana, since November 2005, I have been working as the Programme Officer Economist at the UNDP.
6. What do you do as a JPO?
My working title is Program Officer, Economist.
However, when we get down to the real work mostly everything you are capable of doing so in addition, to my ToR of the junior economist, I am also the UNDP HIV focal point as well as my own administrative assistant - this is to ensure that there is delivery on the projects/programs I manage.
7. Five random words that come to your mind about your first year as a JPO?
CPAP/AWPs, Delivery (the firing squad meetings), Learning, Acronym!!, Opportunity.
8. What has been the most challenging situation from a personal point of view?
The good thing is that being from a developing country adjusting to Ghana has not been difficult specially, with reference to expectations of what is accessible and available. Understanding and adjusting to the different work methods and working culture has been fairly easy though at times is quiet frustrating that being a UN office there is no reverse cultural sensitivity. Maybe it is supposed to be a one way process where we are supposed to adjust to the environment we have chosen to come into to.
Challenging situation from a personal point of view-the lack of understanding and sense of responsibility of the different roles to be performed by the different arms of the office - To clarify there are roles set out for every function in the office -- the Program Officer, the Operations office the Finance Sections the Office Assistants - Making work at times quiet challenging. Though on the brighter side it has made me learn more than I would have - so I guess it is not all that bad.
9. Future steps?
I am confused at this moment on whether I should move back to India or stay out in the international development world for a while longer. At the end, it would be the best opportunity I can find!
10. Words of advice to future JPOs?
This is an excellent opportunity: use it to its full potential!
