Day 5/Session 4 - How Volunteering Shapes Future Careers (UNV)

Iram Batool is an accomplished international development professional with over 15 years of experience leading large-scale humanitarian and development operations across conflict and post-conflict settings. Currently serving as the Special Assistant to the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy at UNDP Headquarters in New York, Iram provides high-level strategic advice, driving initiatives that advance UNDP’s global mandate through advocacy, resource mobilization, and multi-stakeholder engagement.

Known for her ability to navigate complex political landscapes, Iram has led transformative UN Volunteer programs in Afghanistan, Haiti, Chad, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, OPT, managing crisis response operations, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring impactful program delivery.

In her role, Iram has successfully designed and implemented multi-partner projects, empowered youth and marginalized communities, and coordinated critical crisis response initiatives, including medical evacuations and security relocations. Her expertise spans strategic planning, crisis coordination, resource mobilization, and capacity development, making her a recognized voice in the field of humanitarian and development operations.

Holding a Master’s in Business Administration from Hamdard University Karachi, Iram is fluent in English and Urdu, with basic proficiency in French. Her extensive experience, combined with specialized training in crisis management, monitoring and evaluation, and anti-fraud measures, positions her as a leading advocate for sustainable solutions and professional growth in international development.

As a speaker at the Inter-Agency Webinar on Career Growth and Professional Development, Iram will share insights on navigating complex career paths, building strategic networks, and leveraging diverse experiences to achieve impactful leadership in the international development sector.
 

Mr Paul Menye took up his appointment as the Regional Manager of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, in West and Central Africa (ROWCA) in April 2024. With more than eighteen years’ experience in leadership experience at the international and national level, Paul Armand (from Cameroon) is a skilled development leader with strong management and technical background. In his role as Regional Manager of UNV ROWCA, he leads the efforts to promote volunteerism across the region to build forward better and as means of implementing the 2030 Agenda. His professional expertise and leadership journey include a wide spectrum of development and management issues, focusing on empowering people, leading social change, and driving institutional performance. Prior to this position, Paul Armand has worked with UNV for over 13 years as Deputy Regional Manager in Senegal (2020-2024), Regional programme specialist, Volunteer advisory services (2018-2020), Portfolio Manager for West and central Africa in UNV HQ (2015-2018) and Programme Officer in UNDP Burkina Faso (2011-2015). Prior to the UN, he was working with International Organization and NGOs in East Europe, West Africa and Central Africa. Paul Armand speaks English and French, and holds a master’s degree in strategic management, a M-A in Organizational Psychology and is currently a PHD candidate in Diplomacy and International Relations.