Reem Batarseh, Partnerships Officer, UNICEF Jordan 

Tell us a bit about your background.

I am Jordanian, born in Amman, during my childhood, my parents were both working, my mom was a teacher in a public school, and my father worked in different countries like Geneva, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and in Yemen as Acting ILO Representative. I have three great sisters and one brother that I am so proud of.

I got a Master’s Degree in Management of Development at University of Turin ITCILO in Italy; a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Programming, at Princess Sumaya University of Technology in Jordan; and I’m a certified Social Media Professional, at George Mason University in USA.

What do you do?

Currently, I hold the position of Partnerships Officer. My work is critical to deliver results for children. In this role, my key functions include: managing a demanding roster of over 120 high-level and technical level donor delegations to Jordan each year; managing also Corporate and Strategic Private Partnerships for the office; ongoing analyses of the market to develop partnerships with the private sector in Jordan; curate donor visits on social media; and manage gulf donor portfolio of the office.

What’s your working day like?

My job is the most rewarding job that I could imagine. Everyday there is something new! There is no routine in my role, it varies between being in the office or in the field. Both are very different and I like this mix. The most important thing is to put children at the heart of my work daily.

While planning for delegations’ visits, I take this as an opportunity to spend time with vulnerable children in the field, talk to them, take photos, think of innovative solutions to their challenges, and update programmes on findings.

We work in different areas of the Kingdom, in refugee camps, host communities, informal tented settlements, I enjoy visiting any of our makani centres (my space, in Arabic) where I can see different activities in one safe & happy place.

Days in the office are busy with meetings, calls with partners and work closely with different UNICEF National Committees, planning, and really juggling multiple tasks.

I am also a member of the Office Staff Association, planning with the team activities for the office, we are new & doing our best to do a good job!

How would you describe your job to a 5-year-old?

I am mostly asked by children in their classrooms, what do you do? I would answer them in brief:

I work for UNICEF, UNICEF globally, all around the world, defends the rights of children and young people, every day. In Jordan, we work to improve the lives of children everywhere in the Kingdom. For example, we make sure that all children go to school to learn how to read, write, play, and make friends. We also ensure that all children have access to clean water.

I would only elaborate if they asked more questions.

What did you want to be when you were a child? 

I wanted to be a pilot as I always loved traveling.

How/when did you join UNICEF? 

I joined UNICEF in 2013, and have been in the UN system for longer with a different organization.

I simply applied to a vacancy online, was called for a technical test, then I was interviewed and got the job! Very happy to be part of the UNICEF Family! It’s truly magical and I love it!

What are the most satisfying parts of your job?

It is extremely rewarding to see children smiling, happy, positive, and hopeful. Simply seeing children being children!

While I am spending time with vulnerable children in the field. A couple of times while asking them about their hopes for the future and what they want to become when they grow up, they would say - “like you Reem, I want to work with UNICEF just like you!” That made me so happy as they see the value of the work we do!

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging aspect of my job is that everything is urgent and urgent tasks need my full attention, because every partnership is important and all delegations visiting our programmes are crucial to our work, if I can put it this way. I like it to be as perfect as can be!

In the field as I communicate with a lot of vulnerable children & youth, I can’t give promises about their tomorrow when asked. For example, when a Syrian refugee asks me when will they be able to go back to their home country, Syria.

What’s your best UNICEF experience/memory?

That would be the work we did against all odds just recently to see children who live in tents go to school, their parents never wanted to send them to school - with dedicated heroes in our office and support from our government and donors, we have been able to achieve this real success.

I visited one of the schools, I saw children in classrooms, in uniforms, and books in their hands, they were shouting - “oh we know you Reem, you visited us in the tent!” A very satisfying experience :).

The other memory that I will never forget is visiting Zaatari refugee camp for the first time! Nothing prepares you for it. Desperate conditions. All services are stretched very thin. Packed with people, wherever I went I would see children, so much work needed to be done, we had many false starts, many problems - it amazes me each time I go now on what has been accomplished by UNICEF at all sectors. Happy to be part of this significant progress, it makes me extremely hopeful.

What’s one of the biggest risks you’ve ever taken in your life?

I wouldn’t call it a risk, I would call it a calculated risk, I left a job that I loved to start a business, it really felt like starting life from scratch where I could have just stayed with my job. It didn’t take me long to discover that it wasn’t my passion! There is nothing better in a job than being passionate about it every morning. I learned more about myself. It was a great & adventurous experience that strengthened me.

What are your passions? How do you spend your free time?

I love to do sports, basketball and swimming. I also love to read inspiring books. Best times are spent with my family, and hanging out with friends.

What advice would you give others who are seeking a similar job as yours?

“Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” Benjamin Franklin

The simple secret is to pursue what you really like to do. If you are a real advocate for children, you will be looking for the right job! Onwards and upwards!

I am so proud of what we do every day! You will want to be part of an organization that makes children look forward to tomorrow and have all their rights fulfilled. It is the place where you use your creativity and innovation in finding solutions to problems children face.

Who do you look towards for inspiration?

It is God who I look up to, He graced my life with opportunities. 

My inspiration, without a doubt and giving it a thought, is my mom! She taught me the way of life, she works laboriously for everyone, she puts others before, without even thinking! I admire her the most.

My colleagues don’t know that…

I truly believe that attitude & gratitude are everything!