JPO Stories
The 10 questions JPO Quiz: Michael Schaadt
Michael Schaadt is a Danish JPO working on Public Administration and Capacity Development with UNDP in Afghanistan.
1. Name
Michael Schaadt
2. Duty Station
UNDP Afghanistan - Kabul
3. Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Denmark, in the Southern part of Jutland, close to the German border. Both my parents are from Denmark, where they have been working and living their entire life. As the youngest of three children, I did not have the opportunity to live in foreign country during my upbringing, unlike many of my fellow JPOs.
4. What did you study?
I started studying geography at the University of Copenhagen in 1996, but quickly realized that that my true passion was more within political science and decided to change direction.
In 1998 I enrolled at Roskilde University (a short train ride outside Copenhagen) in Basic Studies in Social Sciences, where I further unfolded my true passion for political science and international development. I obtained my double Master's degree in International Development studies and Public Administration in August 2005, after writing my dissertation on the process of national building and the role of civil society in the process of democratization in Timor Leste.
5. What were your pre-JPO professional experiences?
During my studies, once I had realized that I had a strong passion to work within the field of international development, I worked part-time in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within the Department for Humanitarian Assistance and NGO Cooperation. This was a highly valuable, both in terms of getting practical work experience as well as to establish a network which has proven to be very useful, even after I ended my assignment with the Ministry.
In 2004, I was offered a six-month internship with the World Food Programme in Lesotho. I was mainly responsible for working within the area of HIV and AIDS. After (at last!) handing in my dissertation in August 2005, I started working with the Norwegian Refugee Council in their earthquake emergency and recovery operations in Pakistan's North-Western Frontier Province. My main responsibilities included assisting the Programme Manager in tasks ranging from drafting project proposal, donor reporting to preparing situation reports. My experience from Pakistan was quite intense, i.e. coming in to primary emergency context, with long working days (working a minimum of 14 hours a day, seven days a week).
During a mission with NRC to Kabul in the spring of 2006, I decided to apply for my current JPO position with UNDP in Afghanistan, as I had a strong desire to change my professional focus to development, good governance and capacity development, which by chance were some of the keywords for the position.
6. What do you do as a JPO?
I am the focal point for Public Administration and Capacity Development - within the State Building and Government Support Unit - which entails a wide range of functions such as developing and implementing programmes, project and responsibilities that are focusing on areas within public administration reform and public sector capacity development.
Lately I have also been the interim officer-in-charge of the UNDP Civil Service Leadership Development Programme, which aims at strengthening the capacity of key senior civil servants of priority government institutions in order to contribute to the establishment of a competent and effective civil service.
Due to the security situation in Afghanistan and the nature of the projects I am supporting, my assignment is limited to Kabul. However I hope and expect to get the opportunity to also operate at the sub-national level, an area where I find much work is needed.
7. Five random words that come to your head about your first year as a JPO
Security, dedication, fulfilling, responsibility and opportunities.
8. Most enriching professional achievement so far?
At this point of time it is difficult to draw out one particular achievement that stands out - partly because I have only been working for six months in Afghanistan, and partly since my job in conducted in close collaboration with highly dedicated and skilled colleagues, both national and international.
There have however been several smaller achievements for which I have felt a great deal of pride, e.g. resource mobilization, contracting of a major consultancy partnership and establishing close working relationships with government counterparts.
9. Future steps?
I wish to continue working within the field of international development in the future, however I have currently no clear idea whether it will be with the United Nations or another international organization.
I personally find it important to gain experience from various organizations, to learn as many best practices as possible. Since I have been working both within humanitarian and development field, I am also open towards working within both fields in the future, as long as I find it meaningful and personally rewarding.
10. Words of advice to future JPOs?
The first advice I would give to a future JPO is to keep an open mind when deciding on which country or JPO position to apply for. Working in a post-conflict country has given me the opportunity to work on equal terms with all colleagues, from fellow JPOs to senior management, and to be delegated responsibilities which I am not sure would have been possible in other country offices.
Secondly, as I considered the JPOs position to be a symbolic gift from our respective countries, it is essential to always embark on the JPO journey with respect and tolerance.
It is also important to keep an open mind towards the overall learning experience, which is what the JPOs position is all about. At the same time, it is also important to remember to have fun (life is more interesting this way) and to take full advantage of this unique experience.
The Danish newspaper Jyske Vestkysten dedicated an article to Michael entitled "Michael chose to make a contribution". It is available here (in Danish).
