As the UN marks 80 years of service, Liliana Nieves shares what it really takes to build effective humanitarian teams. From recruiting during a cholera outbreak in South Sudan to achieving gender parity at UN headquarters, she reveals:
✅ Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills
✅ How to tackle unconscious bias in hiring
✅ The direct link between strategic recruitment and mental health
✅ Why diversity isn't just nice to have—it's essential for effectiveness
✅ Real advice for breaking into humanitarian work
"We're not only hiring skills, but a team's culture and the capacity to manage pressure. Hiring the right person means selecting individuals who have the emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to work effectively in high-stress environments."
Whether you're considering humanitarian work or managing teams in challenging contexts, this conversation offers actionable insights on building teams that can handle the emotional demands of making a real difference.
Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes
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As the UN marks 80 years of service, Liliana Nieves shares what it really takes to build effective humanitarian teams. From recruiting during a cholera outbreak in South Sudan to achieving gender parity at UN headquarters, she reveals:
✅ Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills
✅ How to tackle unconscious bias in hiring
✅ The direct link between strategic recruitment and mental health
✅ Why diversity isn't just nice to have—it's essential for effectiveness
✅ Real advice for breaking into humanitarian work
"We're not only hiring skills, but a team's culture and the capacity to manage pressure. Hiring the right person means selecting individuals who have the emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to work effectively in high-stress environments."
Whether you're considering humanitarian work or managing teams in challenging contexts, this conversation offers actionable insights on building teams that can handle the emotional demands of making a real difference.
Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes
88. From P1 to D2: A UN Veteran's Journey Through Crisis and Change
Impactpool Career Podcast
49 minutes 23 seconds
1 month ago
88. From P1 to D2: A UN Veteran's Journey Through Crisis and Change
Join us for an insightful conversation with Yvonne Helle, former UNDP special representative and senior leader who climbed from entry-level P1 to D2 over 31 years in the UN system.
In this candid interview, Yvonne shares her experiences navigating some of the world's most challenging contexts—Haiti, Sudan, Palestine, and Syria—while offering practical career advice for international development professionals.
Key topics covered:
- Breaking the field-headquarters divide and why it matters for career growth
- Leadership lessons learned in crisis zones
- Navigating the P4-P5 transition and beyond
- Balancing senior leadership roles with family life as a woman
- The changing landscape of international development
- Essential networking strategies and career advancement tips
Why listen: Whether you're starting your career or aiming for senior leadership, Yvonne's combination of hard-won wisdom, honest reflections, and actionable advice provides invaluable insights for anyone working in—or considering—international development.
Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes
Impactpool Career Podcast
As the UN marks 80 years of service, Liliana Nieves shares what it really takes to build effective humanitarian teams. From recruiting during a cholera outbreak in South Sudan to achieving gender parity at UN headquarters, she reveals:
✅ Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills
✅ How to tackle unconscious bias in hiring
✅ The direct link between strategic recruitment and mental health
✅ Why diversity isn't just nice to have—it's essential for effectiveness
✅ Real advice for breaking into humanitarian work
"We're not only hiring skills, but a team's culture and the capacity to manage pressure. Hiring the right person means selecting individuals who have the emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to work effectively in high-stress environments."
Whether you're considering humanitarian work or managing teams in challenging contexts, this conversation offers actionable insights on building teams that can handle the emotional demands of making a real difference.
Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes
