LocationsJPO Story - Dalia Nawai Ahmed
June 10, 2026
Dalia (second row, second from the right) at the2025 JPO Orientation Programme at the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC)January 2025 in Turin, Italy.
What is your educational background? How has your education shaped your approach to development work?
I have an academic background in law and social anthropology, complemented by a Master’s degree in Human Rights. My studies gave me strong analytical tools to understand power, governance, and inequality, while also grounding me in legal and normative frameworks, including at the international level.
This combination has shaped my approach to development work by encouraging me to look both at systems and lived realities, to analyse policies and institutions, while remaining attentive to how development outcomes affect people differently, particularly women and marginalised groups. It has also reinforced the importance of evidence-based, context-sensitive approaches in governance and democratic development.
What inspired you to apply to the JPO programme and what is your motivation to work with your UN agency?
I was drawn to the JPO Programme because it offers a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the UN system while continuing to learn and grow professionally. Joining as a JPO supported through the Developing Country Candidates Trust Fund was particularly significant to me, as it reflects a commitment to broadening representation and ensuring that global development work is informed by diverse perspectives.
What are the main activities/tasks you are working on? Can you walk us through a typical day in your role - whether in the office or out in the field?
In my current role as a Policy Analyst at UNDP headquarters in New York, I support global parliamentary development and democratic governance initiatives. My work spans research and analysis, knowledge product development, donor reporting, and coordination with country offices and partners.
A typical day often includes a mix of drafting and review work, such as contributing to global knowledge products or reports, alongside virtual meetings with colleagues across regions and time zones. I regularly work with country teams to synthesise lessons from the field, support programming, and translate country-level experiences into global advocacy and policy-relevant outputs.
Dalia Nawai Ahmed, Policy Analyst UNDP BPPS
Which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) does your work contribute to, and how?
My work primarily contributes to SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by supporting more transparent, inclusive, and accountable democratic institutions, particularly parliaments. Through work on parliamentary oversight, gender equality, and women’s political participation, I also contribute to SDG 5 on Gender Equality.
In addition, many of our initiatives cut across SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals, as parliamentary development requires close collaboration with Member States, civil society, donors, and other UN actors to be effective and sustainable.
What has been the most challenging project you've undertaken during your time with UNDP, and what did you learn from the experience?
Rather than one specific project, the most challenging aspect of my role has been navigating the realities of working at the global level. This includes coordinating across multiple time zones, maintaining a working understanding of diverse country contexts, and ensuring that my contributions remain relevant and useful to colleagues in the field. Balancing headquarters‑level deliverables with field‑driven priorities requires constant communication, flexibility, and judgement.
This experience has taught me that development work at the global level is rarely linear. Timelines may shift, priorities evolve, and feedback loops take time. I have learned that the most important measure of success is not simply meeting planned deadlines, but delivering outputs that are fit for purpose, responsive to context, and genuinely support programme objectives across different settings.
What has been the most rewarding experience you have had at your duty station - whether professional or personal - that has shaped your journey as a JPO?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my assignment has been working on a range of global knowledge products, from initial research through to final publication. This process has allowed me to engage closely with colleagues across a wide number of country offices, as well as with parliamentarians, practitioners, and key stakeholders, ensuring that our outputs are grounded in real experiences and needs.
The experience has also reinforced an important lesson: while planning and timelines matter, they do not always unfold as expected. What ultimately matters most is producing knowledge products that are fit for purpose, reflect diverse perspectives, and genuinely meet programme and policy objectives. Being part of that process, balancing rigour, collaboration, and adaptability, has been extremely rewarding.
Team-building exercise at the University on Youth and Development as part of the UNDP–UNESCO training on Media and Information Literacy for Youth in Elections, 14 to 21 September 2025 in Mollina, Spain
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
Through my assignment, I have developed strong skills in policy analysis, strategic writing, and coordination at the global level. Working at UNDP headquarters has pushed me to move beyond country-specific work and think more systematically about how diverse national experiences can be synthesised into coherent global narratives, guidance, and external-facing products.
I have also strengthened my ability to manage complex processes, from coordinating inputs across multiple country offices to contributing to knowledge products and reports that require precision, consistency, and clear messaging. Overall, the experience has helped me become more confident in translating technical and political issues into policy-relevant outputs for a wide range of stakeholders.
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
I would strongly encourage prospective applicants to see the JPO Programme as a genuinely unique opportunity to enter the UN system as a staff member. The level of exposure, responsibility, and trust you receive is incredibly valuable.
One of the major advantages of the programme is access to structured learning opportunities such as the DTTA, which is not something many staff experience. It allows you to step back from day-to-day delivery and invest in your professional development. My advice would be to make full use of these opportunities, stay curious, and actively shape your learning experience throughout the assignment.
How has your JPO experience shaped your vision for your future within the UN or beyond?
My JPO experience has strengthened my commitment to continuing a career within the UN system. Working at headquarters has given me a deeper appreciation of both the opportunities and challenges of HQ‑based roles, particularly the ability to influence global policy, shape knowledge products, and support country offices at scale, while complementing the more immediate, context‑driven impact of field work.
The experience has further sharpened my interest in gender equality, especially in relation to governance and democratic institutions. It has also reinforced my understanding that political, peacebuilding, and development efforts cannot function in isolation. In increasingly complex and evolving contexts, meaningful impact depends on these areas working hand in hand.
We also love hearing about the lighter side of life in the field; do you have a funny anecdote or a unique tradition from your duty station that made you smile?
One of the lighter traditions we have developed as a team is karaoke. Over time, it has become a regular fixture, bringing us together after a long day at work. As a proud member of the Democratic Institutions and Processes team karaoke committee, it’s an experience that has added a lot of laughter to my time here, and one I know I will miss.
My JPO journey has been demanding but deeply enriching, allowing me to translate values into practice while growing both professionally and personally. It has offered a valuable perspective that complements my earlier experience in mission settings.Dalia Nawai Ahmed
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