93. Inside Humanitarian Recruitment: How the Danish Refugee Council Hires for Crisis Zones

How does the Danish Refugee Council recruit for operations across 30+ countries, many in protracted conflict zones? Iosif Emmanouil Sofios, Recruitment Specialist at DRC, explains how to balance speed with safeguarding standards, what really matters beyond your CV, and why transferable skills from other sectors count more than you might think. Whether you're considering humanitarian work or curious about how global organizations build teams in challenging contexts, this conversation offers practical insights into what it takes to connect the right people with meaningful work serving displaced populations. Learn more about emergency rosters and rapid deployment, what DRC looks for in candidates, the importance of cultural sensitivity and adaptability, and AI in humanitarian recruitment. Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

What does it really take to build a meaningful career in the UN system? Join us as Gerhard Tripp, Chief of Planning, Contracting and Reporting at UNOV, shares nearly three decades of experience spanning four continents. From breaking in through the Young Professionals Programme to navigating field assignments in challenging duty stations, Gerhard offers honest insights on career flexibility, strategic applications, and the changing realities of UN employment. He also discusses his work with UNGlobe on building inclusive workplaces across the UN system. Whether you're considering your first UN application or looking to advance your international career, this conversation delivers practical wisdom you won't find in job descriptions. Key Topics: • Getting into the UN through YPP and other pathways • The value of field experience vs. headquarters positions • Funding realities and contract modalities • Language skills and cross-functional experience • Building inclusive workplaces through UNGlobe • Strategic application advice from an HR perspective Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

Thinking about a career move? Before you accept that offer, there's one question you should be asking: What does onboarding look like here? In this episode, we meet with Meghan Parinussa, Director Customer Success at Appical about why onboarding isn't just something that happens TO you, it's a critical factor in YOUR success, job satisfaction, and decision to stay or leave. In this podcast you will learn: • Why those two months between accepting an offer and your first day are make-or-break • The "soft things" that create security (or anxiety) on day one, from dress codes to parking to laptop setup • What world-class onboarding actually looks like and what you should reasonably expect • How to evaluate onboarding during your interview process • The role your manager should play in your first 100 days • Why cultural integration matters more than information overload Whether you're actively job hunting or just curious about what separates great employers from mediocre ones, this conversation gives you the checklist to evaluate your next opportunity, and the confidence to expect better. Because when onboarding is done right, it's not just about helping the organization succeed. It's about your own success, your sense of belonging, and actually having fun in your new job. Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

How does a year in an Ethiopian village at age 22 shape a career leading international climate finance? In this episode, Satu Santala, Managing Director of the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), shares her unplanned journey from NGO work through diplomacy and the World Bank Board to her current role. Discover what makes NDF unique in the climate finance landscape, how to build a meaningful career in development without having it all planned out, and what it's like to work at a small, impactful Nordic institution in Helsinki. Satu offers practical advice on embracing opportunities outside your job description, the importance of genuine partnerships, and why curiosity matters more than rigid career planning. Whether you're exploring opportunities in climate finance or looking for career inspiration in the impact sector, this conversation offers valuable insights into building purpose-driven work in international development. Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

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

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

Think INTERPOL is just for cops chasing international criminals? Think again! Join us as we sit down with Danielle Garcia (Head of Talent Acquisition) and Magda Vigoureux (Assistant Director in Corporate Services) to reveal the surprising truth about careers at the world's largest international police organization. Discover how professionals from 138 nationalities contribute to global safety through roles in IT, finance, HR, project management, and more – no badge required! From Lyon's exceptional quality of life to career paths spanning three continents, learn what really attracts top talent and how you can stand out in your application. Whether you're just starting your career or looking for meaningful work with global impact, this episode demystifies INTERPOL and shows why your next career move could help make the world safer. Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

Ever wondered what it takes to reach the top at the OECD—the organization shaping global economic policy for 38 countries? Meet Daniel Fuster, Head of Human Resources at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, who transformed from a questioning young lawyer in Costa Rica to leading talent strategy at one of the world's most influential international bodies. Discover how the OECD's unique culture embraces non-linear career paths and why "pura vida" leadership is revolutionizing diversity in global policymaking. You'll learn: - How the OECD's "building better policies for better lives" mission attracts top talent - Inside access: The OECD runs 800+ internships annually (vs. typical 3-month programs elsewhere) - Why Costa Rica's recent OECD membership brings fresh perspective to global policy - The OECD's diversity revolution under Daniel's leadership - Your pathway into the organization that shapes economic policy worldwide Ready to unlock the doors to one of the world's most prestigious international organizations? Take a listen. Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Amsterdam-based philosopher Karim Benammar, who's challenging the very foundations of how we recruit and think about talent. In this episode, Karim shares his radical ideas about hiring – from why you should consider candidates who 'hate' your company to why university degrees might be completely irrelevant. Drawing on his international background, which spans England, America, Japan, and the Netherlands, as well as his experience working with the UN, Karim offers a fresh philosophical perspective on age-old HR problems. What you'll discover: - Why traditional CVs, interviews, and experience requirements are failing us - The "dating analogy" that reveals what's wrong with job interviews - How to shift from scarcity thinking to abundance thinking in recruitment - Why hiring people who disagree with you might be your best strategy - Practical experiments you can try in your next hiring process Whether you're an HR professional frustrated with traditional methods, a leader looking to build more diverse teams, or simply someone curious about questioning established systems, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and offer new ways of thinking about human potential. Karim Benammar, PhD, is an independent philosopher specializing in transformative thinking. Author of "Abundance" and "Reframing – The Art of Thinking Differently," he helps organizations question their fundamental assumptions through workshops and lectures across Europe. Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

Ready to make a real impact? Join Mohini Ghai-Kramer, Head of Learning and Development at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as she reveals what it really takes to break into humanitarian work. Discover the two distinct career pathways at ICRC - the specialist route for experts and the unique generalist path developed in-house. Learn about essential skills like intercultural competence and negotiation, plus get practical advice on transitioning into the sector. Mohini dispels common myths about humanitarian work (it's not just about good intentions!) and shares insights on ICRC's comprehensive learning ecosystem spanning 90 countries. Whether you're considering a career change or just starting out, this episode offers honest guidance on building a meaningful career that makes a genuine difference. Perfect for: Career changers, recent graduates, and anyone passionate about humanitarian impact. Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes