JPO Stories
Questions to Nina Hakamies
Nina Hakamies is a JPO funded by Finland, assigned to WHO in Sri Lanka.
VITALS
Name
Nina Hakamies
Where are you from?
Finland and Switzerland
What is your background?
-
Academically speaking:
- MSc in Reproductive and sexual health research
- MA in socio-cultural and development studies
JPO ASSIGNMENT
When and where have you worked as a JPO?
Since January 2006 at WHO Country Office for Sri Lanka, Colombo
What has been your assignment as a JPO?
Technical Officer - Reproductive Health. Focus has been mostly on adolescent health, reproductive health in conflict-affected settings, gender issues, gender-based violence. To some extent I've been working also on other reproductive health issues, such as cervical cancer and abortions.
Which random words come to your mind when thinking about your JPO years?
Challenger, professionalism, dynamism.
Do you remember your "best moment" as a JPO?
The whole experience has been fantastic, although at times frustrating and even difficult. It has been a gradual build-up from a not-so-satisfied first year, through a not-too-bad second year, sliding into a fantastic third year. There have been a few highlights, of which visiting the conflict-affected areas have always been mind-blowing experiences to me. They have opened my eyes about what life is for a normal human beings just like me, captured in armed conflict, living as and IDP, in constant displacement, fear and mistrust. These missions have been an extraordinary reminder to me about humanity and the fact that we are all essentially the same. They has also reminded me about why we actually do the sometimes quite dry office work, sit in front of our computers and deal with paper work which at times feels so distant and meaningless. Particularly my travel to Jaffna, which is situated 396km to the North from Colombo, was an unforgettable experience, and not least because with all the extreme security measures it took us the same time to fly into the city as it would take for me to fly back to Finland.
In what way do you think your JPO assignment has shaped your career?
My JPO-ship has most importantly shaped my critical thinking and interactions with people and situations. This has helped to make certain professional and career choices, which I probably would not have been able to do earlier. The different ways of working of individuals and agencies have also made clearer in my mind what kind of a career development I wish to have, where I would like to work in the future, and where not. Moulding and choosing our own careers is in our own hands and it's up to us to make the best of what we are offered.
What are your major lessons learned during your JPO assignment in terms of professional growth, career planning and opportunities?
- a) Negotiation skills. Especially in Asia, I've learned to always say 'yes' to everything so this has definitely helped me develop my diplomatic skills until things are done.
- b) Always to knock at the doors of people, even when they seem unavailable, and to make me seen and heard.
- c) Not to mix professional issues with emotions. It's not worth it.
- Professional growth:
- Career planning and opportunities:
I am one of those lucky JPOs who have been given a lot of independence and a fair amount of responsibilities suitable to my level. The assignment has allowed me to become familiar with the vast range of agencies and partners working on the same issues that I am interested in. Naturally, this has stimulated interactions, sometimes at more personal levels, with interesting people and partners with whom it would be fascinating to collaborate in the future. As we magically call it: networking, networking! The JPO Service Center also provides an excellent career support service which I am planning to use for my post-JPO life. Additionally, my JPO-ship has offered some unexpected and amazing skills development opportunities, especially through the DTTA system. I am hugely thankful for this system which allowed me to do something I probably otherwise could not have done. In terms of opportunities, I strongly think that if a JPO performs well, he or she will be seen as a serious colleague, and this gives a lot of professional self-confidence and opportunities for interesting career moves.
What is your motivation to work in the field of development?
My deep belief that we all are the same in essence and share the responsibility for common good. We all deserve equal quality of life, but if we don't help each other to attain this, it will boomerang back to us one day.
Most enriching professional achievement so far?
Publishing the National Report on Violence and Health in Sri Lanka: After much sweat, sleepless nights, re-editing and thousands of phone calls, we finally managed to publish it in April 2008 - and it has been a huge success among the public. Another great achievement was the launch of the National Minimum Standards of Youth Friendly Health Services for Sri Lanka, which again took us an incredible amount of patience, for three years, and which finally came out in November 2008.
What kind of advice would you give to JPOs?
- Don't expect to see results at any moment. They will definitely come, and you need to work towards them, but it may not happen during your JPO-ship.
- Cultivate your sense of humour, and ability to forget work when you step out of the office and come home.
- Take time to appreciate the country, to meet new fascinating people, and make new amazing friends. This sounds such a cliché but it's so true.
BY THE WAY...
Your crowning glory:
We're getting married with Jon on 30 December 2008 - That is in 29 days!
The last favourite book you read:
Hmmm. I haven't had time to read for so long time. But I have many books waiting on the shelf. One of them is "The Different Drum" by M. Scott Peck.
Behind the suit:
A fervent yogi / a hippie-chick
Favourite quote:
Difficult choice! But let's put down the one by Carl Sagan: "If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe."
Inspiration:
The eternally inspiring Nelson Mandela
