Behind-the-scenes: Documenting the field

Good and thorough reporting can make a life-changing difference in the lives of forcibly displaced communities. However, to reflect the complex situation on the ground, we need more than just numbers. Complex environments need to be simplified and presented in an accessible and efficient way, making sure people are reflected accurately and in a dignified way.

Welcome to "Humanitarians at Work", UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency's biweekly newsletter where we share motivations, challenges and advice from staff working in the humanitarian sector. If you want an exclusive sneak peek into the lives of humanitarian workers and tips on how to get started in the sector, please subscribe.

In this edition, we are excited to introduce you to Isadora Zoni, Associate Reporting Officer for UNHCR in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. Isadora explains what goes into effective and ethical reporting in the context of displacement and offers valuable advice for those considering a career in humanitarian work. She also talks about the challenges and rewards of working in the field and gives us a glimpse into her daily routine.

Growing up, my dad was always passionate about his work, he had that philosophy that if you love what you do, you are not really working. I have tried to find that passion for myself ever since.

I have always been passionate about justice, which led me to human rights. When I started working as a lawyer, I tried to figure out how to achieve that justice through the courts and legal proceedings. I realized that sometimes justice is not available at that level and something else is needed – political, humanitarian… I think there are different approaches to fill this gap. That's what brought me to humanitarian work. I found myself in a place where I could – in my case as a Reporting Officer – help shape the narrative and get the points across so that we could work towards justice and the protection of rights. In my role, I can communicate what is happening to forcibly displaced and stateless people and that's a big responsibility.

Being a very hands-on person, I need to be on the ground. A typical day would be when I accompany a team to the field to conduct an assessment. During such visits, I can document what is happening, take notes and take pictures. I receive inputs for the reports from different teams, but it’s important to bring in the analytical perspective of what I have observed, not only based on what people say. I also keep in mind what external audiences find interesting and what makes sense for our management and decision-makers. These reports will later help guide decisions and processes, and as a result, they inform the response of the operation.

What no one tells you about working in the field is that it involves going to places that are very difficult to reach. Going to Cabo Delgado’s most remote areas includes taking a small plane with 10-15 people, shaking for an hour and then arriving, getting into the car, which is often a rough ride because we don’t always have paved roads to the sites.

After you arrive, you have to be both respectful of the situation and fully engaged at the same time. You see people at their most vulnerable, so your approach has to be ethical. You need to think about how to approach people to engage in a conversation and ask to take their pictures, they might also need translation. It’s important to make sure people feel safe so they can communicate freely. I often go for individual interviews and listen to group discussions.

After all is documented and teams on the ground are happy enough with what they have gathered, we travel back, look into the content we have gathered and move on to drafting the reports.

Isadora was reporting on the recurring floods in Sudan which have made South Sudanese refugees' lives harder.

Complex made easy.

When I first arrived in Sudan, I thought the biggest challenge would be not getting emotional when talking to people, as we get to see some very difficult situations.

But if I’m honest, the hardest part is witnessing such difficulties and knowing there are not enough resources to help all those in need. No matter how hard we try.

In our daily work, we try to find the best way to document the things we are witnessing and how to convey the message so that we can get the resources we need to do the things that need to be done. The hardest part is dealing with the frustration that this will not always be possible.

The most rewarding part of my job is being part of the solution for forcibly displaced and stateless people.

Just last year, we helped a boy from Tigray, Ethiopia, reunite with his mother in Belgium. He was in East Sudan and I traveled with him by car to Port Sudan and then we were on the plane together. I remember being in the car and thinking that if something were to happen now, I would die for this boy just so that he could reunite with his mother. It was a very rewarding experience, knowing this was going to change his life.

You have to be a good multitasker with attention to detail. You will also need an analytical mind and the capacity to look into complex situations and seek to simplify them.

I would give two. Make sure that you are psychologically strong because it’s easy to burn out or become depressed. We are talking about working in a difficult environment so when you are working there, you need to find ways to cope to be fully and mentally there.

Secondly, for young professionals looking to work for the UN, I would advise taking on opportunities that will give them diverse experience - it can be as simple as volunteering or charity work with local organizations. It will make a difference in the application process.

I see many people who are frustrated with applying to the UN as it’s not always easy to get in. I always say it’s important to work on your profile, to look for experiences that add value to the work you want to be doing and to look closely at the terms of reference of jobs you are applying to. What worked for me was to look at people who have careers that are close to what I am looking for. Learn from their experiences and journeys and see what has worked for them.

I am terrible at it!

Work-life balance looks different depending on the operation you are in. When I was in Sudan, working in the emergency context, there wasn’t much spare time. You work from early morning until dinner and then some more. We work in a non-family duty station and we are so immersed in the work that there is no escaping it.

Now, in Mozambique, I’m seeking more balance – I started having one meal per day by the beach which makes a difference. Hopefully, I can incorporate more spare time activities by the end of the year.

🤔 Your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below what surprised you the most about Isadora’s role as an Associate Reporting Officer or any questions you might have about this role.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. Together with over 20,000 staff working around the world, we strive for a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future.

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Kasia Popiolek (UNHCR Social Media Team)