By Sivaram Raghavan
Good morning, Madam! and other things to learn and unlearn when I joined UNICEF
Having worked in the private sector, I was accustomed to addressing senior colleagues as Sir and Madam. After a few reminders and a slight struggle, I got used to the first name culture in UNICEF.
My early exposure as to how UNICEF operates in emergencies came within a couple of months of joining. There was a cholera outbreak in Delhi and I was greeted with "URGENT, MOST URGENT, DEADLINE WAS YESTERDAY" sort of days. No time to think - but learn, act quickly and deliver. It was not an easy time, as I was just settling down.
I overcame the initial shock because of the instant pride and happiness from being a part of an organization that commanded respect for its technical expertise, and had the most visible brand in the United Nations family of organizations - UNICEF !!
Looking Back
I moved from a field office to the India Country Office, and have worked in Programme, Planning, Finance, Emergency and now with Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships. I have certainly 'been there and done that' ! The journey offered me an opportunity to work with supervisors from different cultural backgrounds.
The world is indeed a village. Now we can honestly say that we all know somebody in almost all parts of the world. Connecting with people from different nationalities gives us exposure to different approaches and working styles.
Sharing some flashbacks
Office equipment available to us: We started with electronic typewriters. Graduating from an electronic typewriter to a computer caused much apprehension! While training was to follow – we learnt by the hit and try method 😊
Wang Computers (1988): The first major disaster was losing a document of 80 pages due to a power cut. The UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) system came later.
Document storage diskettes: What a development! Since then technology has rapidly evolved and advanced bringing us to an age of laptops and smart phones.
Social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others have taken over. The Pandemic has introduced us to a virtual world. In-person meetings have been taken over by Zoom or Microsoft Team virtual meetings.
Without hesitation, I maintain that face to face interaction remains critical to building and sustaining strong human relations and communications. At every opportunity, we must continue to nurture personal contact. Electronic gadgets are meant to make life convenient, but should not be allowed to take over our lives! The nuances and body language of personal communication are vital, but are missing during our virtual conversations.
Travel and exposure to the field.
I have been fortunate to be part of sharing knowledge and good practices between countries through facilitating and accompanying senior delegations from several countries, to various parts of India. UNICEF has played a great role in sharing replicable ideas between countries and between various states within India, to promote activities for the well-being of women and children. Study tour delegations from China, Ethiopia, Indonesia and North Korea were organized for better understanding of programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control, etc.
A huge challenge and an opportunity. It was the highlight of my experience so far and I was thrilled to see the respect commanded by UNICEF. Its name stood apart from around 50 other agencies that landed in Port Blair – as a trusted and dependable partner.
The P2D Programme
It was more than 20 years ago that P2D training programme was rolled out for all staff. An excellent training programme that motivated staff to look ahead, gear up, learn new skills, and remain competitive and employable in a rapidly changing world. We immensely benefited from this programme. Many of us added on qualifications and more skills to remain competitive and support the rapidly changing demands on UNICEF.
The programme motivated me to learn, and articulately express my views. The thought that I can do different things whether or not I get promoted or go up the ladder.
Cecilio Adorna, the then India Country Office Representative, visited the Build Back Mission in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This project was close to his heart. The project required rapid actions, coordination, responses, and finding solutions to problems that kept arising every day.
The Pandemic – changed our lives!
The Pandemic brought all human beings together irrespective of their background. Once again, UNICEF showed how it cares for its staff members and their families. While we have had staff members and families getting affected by the Pandemic, we must place on record the deep sense of gratitude for the care shown by UNICEF. One thing is the regular weekly phone communication from UNDSS, asking us to confirm that all is well with us and our families.
As part of the team of peer support volunteers, encouraged by Yasmin Ali Haque, Country Representative, Magassa, the Chief of Human Resources and later Beverly, together with the UNICEF India Staff Association lead by Minakshi Singh, we brought together colleagues and their children for on-line activities. This boosted the energy levels of colleagues and helped to see them through difficult times.
UNICEF remains sharp, focused, and fully charged as ever. As I write this, another proud statement from UNICEF Afghanistan has been issued – loudly and clearly declaring that “we shall stay put” in support of programmes for welfare of women and children. This is a power capsule and a booster dose for us.
Let us be sure - the journey from the 75th year to the 100th years is going to be at a faster track, running stronger with younger team members firmly on board.
Sivaram, India Country Office,
rsivaram@unicef.org
Having worked in the private sector, I was accustomed to addressing senior colleagues as Sir and Madam. After a few reminders and a slight struggle, I got used to the first name culture in UNICEF.
My early exposure as to how UNICEF operates in emergencies came within a couple of months of joining. There was a cholera outbreak in Delhi and I was greeted with "URGENT, MOST URGENT, DEADLINE WAS YESTERDAY" sort of days. No time to think - but learn, act quickly and deliver. It was not an easy time, as I was just settling down.
I overcame the initial shock because of the instant pride and happiness from being a part of an organization that commanded respect for its technical expertise, and had the most visible brand in the United Nations family of organizations - UNICEF !!
Looking Back
I moved from a field office to the India Country Office, and have worked in Programme, Planning, Finance, Emergency and now with Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships. I have certainly 'been there and done that' ! The journey offered me an opportunity to work with supervisors from different cultural backgrounds.
The world is indeed a village. Now we can honestly say that we all know somebody in almost all parts of the world. Connecting with people from different nationalities gives us exposure to different approaches and working styles.
Sharing some flashbacks
Without hesitation, I maintain that face to face interaction remains critical to building and sustaining strong human relations and communications. At every opportunity, we must continue to nurture personal contact. Electronic gadgets are meant to make life convenient, but should not be allowed to take over our lives! The nuances and body language of personal communication are vital, but are missing during our virtual conversations.
Travel and exposure to the field.
I have been fortunate to be part of sharing knowledge and good practices between countries through facilitating and accompanying senior delegations from several countries, to various parts of India. UNICEF has played a great role in sharing replicable ideas between countries and between various states within India, to promote activities for the well-being of women and children. Study tour delegations from China, Ethiopia, Indonesia and North Korea were organized for better understanding of programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control, etc.
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| I travelled to NYHQs in 2017 for World Children’s Day celebration. It provided a unique opportunity to see a global perspective – children spoke on behalf of children of their countries. |
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| With Mr. Anthony Lake |
UNICEF remains A Master in Managing Emergencies
On 26 December 2004, the Tsunami hit India, as it hit other neighboring countries. I was keen to witness the realities on the ground and could not resist getting engaged and using my skills. I reached Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) to join the mission 'Build Back Better'.
A huge challenge and an opportunity. It was the highlight of my experience so far and I was thrilled to see the respect commanded by UNICEF. Its name stood apart from around 50 other agencies that landed in Port Blair – as a trusted and dependable partner.
The Central and Local Government administrations were receptive to the technical expertise, guidance and inputs provided by UNICEF.
Seeing for ourselves, the final result of our efforts – starting from those meeting rooms, raising purchase orders, following up, processing payments, coordinating with transporters, shipping and airways – ensuring that tents get erected, securing safety approvals from the appropriate authority, gave us immense satisfaction that is difficult to express.
Seeing for ourselves, the final result of our efforts – starting from those meeting rooms, raising purchase orders, following up, processing payments, coordinating with transporters, shipping and airways – ensuring that tents get erected, securing safety approvals from the appropriate authority, gave us immense satisfaction that is difficult to express.
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| The smiles of children said it all. The relatively relaxed and better rested children in tents provided by UNICEF had a soothing effect on all of us. |
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| A happy sight after organizing procurement, receiving, and finally erecting tents. Seeing the children safe in tents, followed by nutritious food and psycho-social support reaching them was very rewarding. |
The P2D Programme
It was more than 20 years ago that P2D training programme was rolled out for all staff. An excellent training programme that motivated staff to look ahead, gear up, learn new skills, and remain competitive and employable in a rapidly changing world. We immensely benefited from this programme. Many of us added on qualifications and more skills to remain competitive and support the rapidly changing demands on UNICEF.
The programme motivated me to learn, and articulately express my views. The thought that I can do different things whether or not I get promoted or go up the ladder.
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| My dream book is part of my journey after the motivation I got from the P2D training. |
From a real to a virtual world
We are in an era of information explosion. Whether we like it or not, we are exposed to an overload of information and misinformation. Every day we struggle to filter out good information. Artificial Intelligence is taking over real intelligence!
Our work as part of UNICEF continues to need the people-to-people connection, innovation in programme design and implementation. Electronic media is required to keep pace with the development and the speed of information management for delivery of programmes.
Twitter allows us to share news instantly and can reach a world audience in no time! But – writing less and conveying more comes with learning and practice. As the saying goes, speed thrills but kills. It is essential to be careful in the limited space of social media; it needs to catch the reader's eye and yet keep our image intact.
All our efforts to build and sustain our image through practical, hard work on the ground can be thwarted with an inadequate or weak message on social media. We must remain vigilant for negative comments that may have the potential to tarnish our image.
Sitting in the cozy corners of our offices with our laptops, churning out documents, mails, issuing contracts or settling payment, in my view does not bring complete satisfaction. It is essential for all staff to get a chance to witness and be a part of on the ground programme implementation.
Been there and done that
Our work as part of UNICEF continues to need the people-to-people connection, innovation in programme design and implementation. Electronic media is required to keep pace with the development and the speed of information management for delivery of programmes.
Twitter allows us to share news instantly and can reach a world audience in no time! But – writing less and conveying more comes with learning and practice. As the saying goes, speed thrills but kills. It is essential to be careful in the limited space of social media; it needs to catch the reader's eye and yet keep our image intact.
All our efforts to build and sustain our image through practical, hard work on the ground can be thwarted with an inadequate or weak message on social media. We must remain vigilant for negative comments that may have the potential to tarnish our image.
Sitting in the cozy corners of our offices with our laptops, churning out documents, mails, issuing contracts or settling payment, in my view does not bring complete satisfaction. It is essential for all staff to get a chance to witness and be a part of on the ground programme implementation.
Been there and done that
Cecilio just picked up a card, and gave me a beautiful Five Star rating for the operations management of the project. It remains a priceless possession, and I told him that I would use this photograph at some point in time.
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| The only break in six months a two-day trip to another island with team UNICEF. |
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| A proud moment. A great feeling when our efforts came close to producing results for the welfare of women and children. This was a moment in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, when we handed over Ambulances to the Directorate of Health Services, as part of our Mission Build Back Better. |
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| Never a dull moment – India country office colleagues celebrate the festival of colours ‘Holi’ |
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| Children all the way - with our best motivator Yasmin Ali Haque, Representative, ICO |
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| Skills acquired are meant to be used – Emcee during World Children’s Day event |
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| Learning with children during a field visit to Rajasthan, India |
The Pandemic – changed our lives!
The Pandemic brought all human beings together irrespective of their background. Once again, UNICEF showed how it cares for its staff members and their families. While we have had staff members and families getting affected by the Pandemic, we must place on record the deep sense of gratitude for the care shown by UNICEF. One thing is the regular weekly phone communication from UNDSS, asking us to confirm that all is well with us and our families.
As part of the team of peer support volunteers, encouraged by Yasmin Ali Haque, Country Representative, Magassa, the Chief of Human Resources and later Beverly, together with the UNICEF India Staff Association lead by Minakshi Singh, we brought together colleagues and their children for on-line activities. This boosted the energy levels of colleagues and helped to see them through difficult times.
UNICEF remains sharp, focused, and fully charged as ever. As I write this, another proud statement from UNICEF Afghanistan has been issued – loudly and clearly declaring that “we shall stay put” in support of programmes for welfare of women and children. This is a power capsule and a booster dose for us.
Let us be sure - the journey from the 75th year to the 100th years is going to be at a faster track, running stronger with younger team members firmly on board.
Sivaram, India Country Office,
rsivaram@unicef.org
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