Page 46 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 8 | December - January 2025

THE UNICEF DIFFERENCE
At the end of the
What sets UNICEF apart? “Reputation, Scale day, I focus on what
and Expertise,” Arun emphasises. “We are I can do within my
the organisation for children, with a global

footprint and convening power, a strong sphere of in uence
brand recognition and reputation, with the to make as much
track record and ability to mobilise resources
based on results. We focus on systemic and positive change as
sustainable impact, ensuring that every effort possible.
aligns with our ultimate goal — improving
children’s lives.”
Looking ahead, Arun acknowledges the
challenges of a changing world. “With
Overseas Development Assistance shrinking
and geopolitical shifts, and donors looking for
more de ned impacts, we must stay adaptable.

Embracing change and new approaches
and areas of work are crucial, while building
on existing partnerships as well as while
seeking new opportunities to collaborate.
The aspiration is to continue to engage, stay
current in the global conversations to remain
relevant while creating the maximum impact
for our stakeholder – the child.”
STAYING GROUNDED

Working in development can be emotionally
taxing, but Arun stays focused on the end
stakeholder and the cost of inaction. “While
it is easy to feel overwhelmed by systemic
shortcomings, the geopolitical restrictions of
the system, it is important to stay focused on
the cost of UNICEF not being part of the
conversation. For example, during the Gaza
crisis, despite the many frustrations of the
interventions we attempted being restricted,
we were able to secure a brief pause in
hostilities to vaccinate children against polio.
It is tough to quantify in the current context
of hostilities, but in retrospect it would have
hopefully helped.”

Arun also nds value in realistic optimism.
“If you believe you can change the world
without resistance and a lot of noise telling
you otherwise, you are setting yourself up
for disappointment. So instead, I try to focus
on what I can do, even within a sometimes-
restrictive system, which involves a lot more
than UNICEF, and I hold onto that hope
for change.”

ADVICE FOR ASPIRANTS WANTING
TO JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT SECTOR

“If you are driven by a cause and committed to
making a positive impact towards said cause,
consider a career in development, the mandate
has to drive you” Arun advises. “Understand

the organisation you aspire to be a part of, nd
where you can make the most impact within
it, and pursue it wholeheartedly.”

| MASALA MAGAZINE DEC JAN