LocationsJPO Story - Aquila Van Keuk
August 12, 2025
UNDP Pacific Office team at the Pasifika Futures Forum held in May 2025 in Suva, Fiji
What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelor of Arts (Gender Studies major) and a Master of Development Studies, both from the University of Melbourne in Australia.
What made you apply to the JPO programme/what is your motivation to work with your UN agency?
Prior to commencing the JPO programme, I had spent several years working on international development challenges across Asia and the Pacific – first in the NGO space and later for the Australian Government. I am always seeking to become a more informed, effective and well-rounded international development practitioner. So, when the opportunity came up to work with UNDP in the Pacific, I thought: what better way to expand my skillset and perspective than by joining the UN’s lead international development agency and experience working in multilateralism?
What are the main activities/tasks you are working on? What is a day at the office/in the field like?
In my current role as a Policy, Innovation and Partnerships Analyst, I use futures thinking and strategic foresight to help our office anticipate and navigate complex changes shaping the development landscape. My team recently launched the UNDP Pacific Inclusive Foresight initiative designed to surface emerging signals of change and co-create more resilient, future-ready development strategies for the region, for example in the areas of migration, labour mobility and funding flows and the future of financing. In addition to this, I help build partnerships and financing channels that are sustainable and regionally-grounded, which is more important than ever in our world of declining foreign aid, and I support Pacific Island nations to update and implement their Nationally Determined Contributions for climate action. While based in Fiji, my role is regional and I work across the ten Pacific Island nations covered by the UNDP Pacific Multi-Country Office.
In your day-to-day work, what SDG(s) are you helping to implement?
My role primarily contributes towards SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). That said, given my role is cross-sectoral it really contributes to most of the SDGS in one way or another!
Aquila presenting at the launch of the UNDP Pacific Inclusive Foresight Initiative. Held in June 2025 in Suva, Fiji
What is the most challenging project that you have worked on/are working on?
The Pacific is an incredibly unique and challenging operating environment, not least because of its geographic remoteness, disperse population across hundreds of islands, and lack of connectivity. I spent my first year of the JPO Programme working at UNDP Pacific’s sub-office in the North Pacific. During this time, I worked as a Programme Analyst in our Resilience and Climate Change team where I worked with partner governments on implementing a renewable energy and energy efficiency project in Nauru, a biodiversity safeguarding project in the Federated States of Micronesia, and a marine conservation project in Palau. Navigating logistics in these contexts is no joke – think manoeuvring of an electric bus from a cargo ship to land without a fully functioning port, or convening of a project board meeting with limited and unreliable flight connectivity and participants coming from islands spanning more than 2,500km of ocean, or managing international procurement without the ability to transact in foreign currencies. Pacific Island peoples are incredibly resourceful, resilient and good-humoured though, and it was a real pleasure to work with partner governments to overcome these hurdles.
Launch of electric buses for public transportation under the Supporting Mainstreamed Achievement of Roadmap Targets on Energy in Nauru (SMARTEN) project. Held in December 2024 in Nauru
What has been the most rewarding experience to date for you at your duty station?
I was fortunate to begin my new role in Fiji as part of the core team organising the inaugural Pasifika Futures Forum – a gathering of over 200 traditional knowledge holders, youth, civil society advocates, policymakers, government representative, and development partners from across the Pacific. The forum followed the launch of the Pasifika Futures report: Navigating Development with Traditional Wisdom. Over several days, participants shared reflections on the challenges and uncertainties facing the region, as well as the cultural strengths and wisdom that can guide us as we vouge into the coming decades and beyond. The Forum was grounded in Talanoa — the traditional practice of genuine, respectful, and purposeful dialogue that is at the heart of Pacific cultures. Talanoa opens space for relational foresight — where futures are imagined and shaped not just through conventional foresight practices but through nurturing relationships. I am humbled to have been a part of such a rich and reflective event and am excited to continue the momentum of Pasifika Futures.
What set of skills have you developed most throughout your assignment?
While I have certainly developed ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills throughout my JPO assignments, perhaps more meaningful are the lessons I have learned along the way, including to:
- see 'successes' and 'failures' as opportunities for learning, unlearning and relearning. Life is not static and neither should be our minds.
- focus on what is within your control. You may not be able to change the world but you can make a difference within your sphere of influence. Related to this, do not sweat the small stuff – chances are the world is not going to end if things do not go according to plan.
- never lay blame, instead focus on fixing the problem.
- understand that resilience comes from being connected to a diverse network and embodying grace and self-compassion in challenging times.
- know your thresholds. Do your best, do not make rash decisions, but know when it is time to change tracks.
Aquila at a JPO Career Booster training organized by UNSSC in June 2025 in Turin, Italy.
What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to the JPO Programme?
Go for it! The JPO Programme is a wonderful opportunity that will push you to reach your potential. That said, the UN system is complex and requires a lot of flexibility and adaptability. The world is changing more rapidly than ever before and there will be many days of uncertainty, ambiguity and confusion as the multilateral system responds to these changes. Be open-minded, take it as it comes, and exercise confident humility.
Could you tell us about a funny anecdote or a curious tradition that you have experienced in your duty station?
Kava is at the heart of Fijian culture, and after work each Friday our office comes together to have kava (a non alcoholic drink) and perform karaoke. Fijians are skilled at many things, but kava and karaoke are definitely high on the list (along with rugby!).
The JPO Programme has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. It has challenged me in all the right ways and enabled me to grow in ways I never could have imagined – both personally and professionally.Aquila Van Keuk
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