Angela Kearney
Angela Kearney is the UNICEF Representative in Angola. Recently she visited the UNICEF NZ office and we asked her what it is like to work for UNICEF in the field.What do you do in a typical day?
I get to the office by 7.00 each day and at 8.00 I meet with my deputy and the Head of Operations for a briefing. I respond to emails and have meetings with government and donors. I push hard to make sure that we (and our partners) stay children focused! About once a month I travel out of the capital Luanda and into the field - often with a Government Minister - to visit projects, meet with government staff, and NGO's that we are partnering with and talk to mothers and children.
I manage an office of 130 staff - 36 international staff from various places including Britain, America, Cameroun, Uganda, Mali, India, Italy and France, and close to 100 national staff.
In my spare time I stay sane by watching rugby and cricket, and reading magazines like Vogue, NZ House & Garden and Vanity Fair. I also like to read novels by Kiwi authors. I eat the same kind of food as I would in NZ, as well as lots of fresh produce such as bananas, mangos and pineapple. Much of the food is imported as there is a huge demand created by the oil companies and their staff.
The work I do is very rewarding, but it is also really hard and I have to be constantly aware of security issues.
Most memorable moments while working for UNICEF?
On the 21st March 2002, schools reopened in Afghanistan and over the next 50 days, 5 million girls went back to school! I remember seeing young girls in Kabul walking to school in their brand new uniforms with UNICEF back packs. It had been raining and they were jumping over puddles.
In Liberia I visited a vocational school for ex-child soldiers and saw boys and girls, who previously had been violent and drug affected, training to be hair-dressers, pastry makers and carpenters. After 18 months of helping in the demobilisation process, it was so moving to see that these boys and girls now had a future.
What motivates you?
Fun, adventure, unpredictability, the ability to make a difference and, of course, hope. Hope because I know that just $10 per child can make a world of difference as UNICEF has the ability to take programmes to scale. I am also very lucky to work with a team of committed and inspiring staff and a Government that really cares.
Why did you decide to work for UNICEF?
Because UNICEF is a force for change. UNICEF gets kids on the agenda of governments and helps drive positive policy change that really improves the lives of children. And UNICEF has the ability to take programmes to scale.
What are the hardest parts of your job?
Bureaucracy. Dealing with regimes that aren't nice and coming face-to-face with corruption and dishonesty. Being away from home and all the things about NZ that I miss - freedom of the press, recreation and time to myself. I also find that I am often emotionally tired as I feel that I am always giving.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievements?
That I am a nurse and midwife from Christchurch who is now managing a large UNICEF country programme. I made the most of my opportunities!
In my spare time I stay sane by watching rugby and cricket, and reading magazines like Vogue, NZ House & Garden and Vanity Fair. I also like to read novels by Kiwi authors. I eat the same kind of food as I would in NZ, as well as lots of fresh produce such as bananas, mangos and pineapple. Much of the food is imported as there is a huge demand created by the oil companies and their staff.
The work I do is very rewarding, but it is also really hard and I have to be constantly aware of security issues.
Most memorable moments while working for UNICEF?
On the 21st March 2002, schools reopened in Afghanistan and over the next 50 days, 5 million girls went back to school! I remember seeing young girls in Kabul walking to school in their brand new uniforms with UNICEF back packs. It had been raining and they were jumping over puddles.
In Liberia I visited a vocational school for ex-child soldiers and saw boys and girls, who previously had been violent and drug affected, training to be hair-dressers, pastry makers and carpenters. After 18 months of helping in the demobilisation process, it was so moving to see that these boys and girls now had a future.
What motivates you?
Fun, adventure, unpredictability, the ability to make a difference and, of course, hope. Hope because I know that just $10 per child can make a world of difference as UNICEF has the ability to take programmes to scale. I am also very lucky to work with a team of committed and inspiring staff and a Government that really cares.
Why did you decide to work for UNICEF?
Because UNICEF is a force for change. UNICEF gets kids on the agenda of governments and helps drive positive policy change that really improves the lives of children. And UNICEF has the ability to take programmes to scale.
What are the hardest parts of your job?
Bureaucracy. Dealing with regimes that aren't nice and coming face-to-face with corruption and dishonesty. Being away from home and all the things about NZ that I miss - freedom of the press, recreation and time to myself. I also find that I am often emotionally tired as I feel that I am always giving.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievements?
That I am a nurse and midwife from Christchurch who is now managing a large UNICEF country programme. I made the most of my opportunities!
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