Arabic, English. My mother feared for the safety of her children as well as her own life. They were in great need of staff members who could speak English. The instability surrounding me in my homeland of Lebanon had propelled me to join a cause working towards the building of peace.
Despite facing adversity, I remained committed to my belief that I was working for the right Organization. In April , I traveled to Beirut to join my family for Easter celebrations. The coastal road from Beirut to the South was closed, and I was unable to return to my work location. The security situation in Beirut reverted back to chaos in Foreigners and expatriates were being targeted.
Having such a high level of involvement in activating the beginning of the peace process in my own country was an immense privilege. But it did not come without challenges. Initially, it seemed that the resources I had at hand in performing my managerial duties were very limited; however, my resilience won out. Determination and persistence helped me to deliver in the end. Our mission was very successful in the eventual execution of our mandates.
My determination continues. I have escalated in working towards a bigger cause within my current mission in Kosovo and beyond. I make sure Contracts are resourced and comply with the requirements, financial rules and regulations, and Procurement Manual of the United Nations. The success of our mission depends heavily on how each staff member executes their entrusted roles and responsibilities.
Success in one mission reflects positively on the United Nations as a whole. Therefore, my success will affect other endeavors in the mission all the way up the pyramid. The conditions of conflict I experienced as a young adult now allow me to work with a sense of strength and empathy.
