LocationsJPO Story - Michelle Nielsen
September 2, 2026
UNDP and local partners in Northern Ghana
What is your educational background? How has your education shaped your approach to development work?
I have master’s degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies and in Gender Studies. While each field brings its own perspectives and approaches, both ask what drives violence and how we can achieve sustainable peace. Throughout my studies, I have always been curious to understand what impacts human behaviour, how power dynamics shape societal structures, and how this influences long-term development and peace. This interest has stayed with me throughout my academic experiences and into my professional life.
Beyond giving me the analytical tools and theoretical knowledge relevant to my work, my studies also connected me with people from around the world who are similarly passionate about making this world a more peaceful and inclusive place. These connections, and the relations I have formed during my subsequent professional experiences, are a constant reminder to me that my work is ultimately about people.
Studying and working across different contexts, in both active crises and longer-term development contexts, has also led me to appreciate that every context is unique and needs to be understood from more than one perspective, and always with the needs and priorities of people at its centre. My approach to development is therefore guided by the idea that long-term peace and development are interconnected, requiring a holistic perspective that considers the specific needs and circumstances of every context.
What inspired you to apply to the JPO programme and what is your motivation to work with UNDP?
I am guided by the belief that UNDP, and the multilateral system it is a part of, plays an important role in advancing peace and development. Having lived and worked in different places, including Tunisia, Libya, Kenya, Ghana, and the United States, I see the value of an international system that brings people together across cultures and beliefs, creates space for dialogue, and works towards strengthening the decision-making power of communities. When I applied for the role with UNDP, I had just spent over three years based in Tunisia and working in Libya, where I experienced how fragile peace and stability can be, and where I saw the real impact of our work. I was ready for a new professional challenge and the role with UNDP was an opportunity to continue contributing to peace and development, first at the community level with local actors in West Africa, and later in a global role in New York. At the core, what continues to inspire me is the ability to have a genuine impact on people’s lives and working closely with local partners and communities in doing so.
Michelle Nielsen, Programme Analyst at UNDP Crisis Bureau
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?
I am currently in my third year of the JPO programme, and my role has evolved significantly over the years. What I have enjoyed about my experience so far is that no day has ever looked the same. While there have certainly been challenging days, each one has brought opportunities for growth and learning, both at a professional and a personal level.
During my first year when I was based in UNDP Ghana, I coordinated a regional project that is being implemented in five countries in West Africa, so a big part of my role was to ensure coordination across the five country offices. My role was diverse and high-paced, from managing donor relations and supporting resource mobilization efforts, to facilitating knowledge exchange and leading reporting efforts, to supporting country offices with technical day-to-day project management questions. Some days would be spent in the office or in meetings in Accra, while others were spent visiting project sites in Northern Ghana for donor and monitoring missions.
I am currently based in New York, where I have been working with the Local Action team in the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub since July 2025. Our work focuses on linking the work of local actors to national priorities, advancing localisation efforts, and supporting local actors to ensure they have the resources, technical capacities, and decision-making power needed to lead sustainable development work at local level. I also partly support the Peacebuilding team with the global Preventing Violent Extremism portfolio, so my days are dynamic, and I cover many different work streams. To support this work, I, among others, manage external partnerships and support resource mobilization efforts, coordinate events to highlight the impact of our work in programming countries, and represent UNDP at external meetings and events.
Which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) does your work contribute to, and how?
Because of the diverse nature of my work and the different thematic areas that I cover, my work contributes to several of the SDGs. I would highlight SDG 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”, SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities” and SDG 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”.
Local action team at Global Programme Annual Meeting.
What has been the most challenging project you've undertaken during your time with UNDP, and what did you learn from the experience?
One of the most challenging aspects of my experience has been to navigate coordinating a large multi-stakeholder project and the many different expectations and perspectives that need to be aligned to ensure the successful implementation of such a large initiative. This requires understanding political dynamics as well as the priorities of national governments, international partners, implementing partners, UNDP, and the communities we are here to serve. Managing expectations and navigating these dynamics in a context that was entirely new to me, while also familiarizing myself with a new set of internal project management processes and systems, was particularly demanding. What this has taught me is to be patient and allow myself the time to learn, to ask questions, and to prioritize relationship building.
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?
Professionally, I greatly value the field visits with my colleagues in Ghana, which gave me the opportunity to connect with local partners and the communities we support. Talking with community members and hearing directly from them about their needs and priorities, has helped me to better understand how our work can best support them. During those trips, I also forged special bonds with my colleagues, who introduced me to the traditions and customs of Ghana. Those relations have also reminded me that it is important to always stay curious and keep an open mind.
On a personal level, the most rewarding part of my experience has been the people that I have met across the UN system. I have come to appreciate that every challenging task can become an opportunity for growth if you have people by your side who guide and support you. Living a life that often entails starting over regularly in new countries far away from family and friends, also means that the people around me, at work and in my personal life, quickly become important and my daily support system. I have been very lucky to meet colleagues and fellow JPOs at every step of the way who have guided me, helped me stay grounded during busy days, and been a source of inspiration and knowledge.
Field mission to visit local communities in northern Ghana
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
I have developed a diverse set of skills, both at a technical level and at a personal level. Professionally, I have strengthened my project management skills, such as how to develop and manage project budgets, how to coordinate a large project across teams, as well as how to navigate UNDP’s internal processes and platforms. A big part of my learning process has also been to learn how to navigate a new organisation and different ways of communications across UNDP’s country, regional, and headquarter-level offices and processes. In my current role at HQ, this has also entailed developing my strategic thinking and communication skills. I frequently draft briefing notes and talking points, and I have had the opportunity to represent UNDP at several external engagements. This has taught me the value of strategic positioning and thinking critically about the way we communicate and convey our messages.
On a more personal level, my experience has strengthened my resilience, my adaptability, and my ability to manage my time well. It has been important for me to learn that it is ok to take some time to reflect and respond to e-mails and requests. While some requests naturally require quick action and immediate attention, I have come to appreciate that substantial parts of my work benefit from me taking more time for tasks that require more analytical thinking, research and reflection. In managing this better and clarifying expectations, I also find that this also allows me to manage my own time better, even during busy periods.
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
The JPO programme is an incredible opportunity if you are interested in experiencing working internationally, learning about different cultures, and contributing to genuine impact through the multilateral system. At the same time, the UN system is going through a transformative change that has brought about many questions about the direction in which it is heading. Perhaps more so than ever before, it is crucial to stay open minded, be flexible, and be open to new opportunities. Keeping this in mind, it is also important to take the time to reflect on your goals, interests, and the type of life you would like to live because this will help you to determine if the JPO programme and a career in international development is the right next step for you.
Training for Member States on Youth Engagement in PVE
How has your JPO experience shaped your vision for your future within the UN or beyond?
I have always been motivated by the idea of working in an international environment with colleagues from around the world, and I continue to strongly believe in the values of the UN system. While there is always room for improvement in the multilateral system, my experience has also reaffirmed my belief in the importance of the principles that it stands for. I joined UNDP at the start of what would become a transformative period for UNDP and the wider UN system. It has been a period of restructuring processes, funding cuts, and many questions about where the UN is heading. This also brings uncertainties about a future for young professionals. While I am realistic, and I know that it will not always be possible to know what lays ahead, I remain optimistic and confident that I will be able to bring my skills and the relations that I have built with me wherever I may be headed next.
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?
It may sound simple but in my current team we make it a priority to eat lunch together on a regular basis. Making the time to take a break, talk about something other than work, and connect with each other adds so much value and meaning to my days in the office. I have come to appreciate that, even when days are busy and the pace is high, it is important to allow ourselves the time to disconnect, even for a brief moment, and connect with the people around us.
My journey has been incredibly enriching, sometimes challenging, and it has fundamentally shaped the person I am today on a professional and a personal level. Every day has presented new opportunities for growth and learning, and my experience has taught me how to be resilient, adaptable, and confident in my own role as an international civil servant.Michelle Nielsen
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