“I don’t need bulging biceps to fight for women and children, I can be a human rights champion”

Joseph Bahemuka, Emergency Specialist & Chief of Yambio Field Office, UNICEF South Sudan

Tell us a bit about your background.

My passion for my work is very much linked to my childhood. It grew as I went from being a boy to a young man. I grew up in a rural part of Uganda called Bwikara in the Kagadi district. Like many others, we were economically marginalized and I had to help out a lot at home. Yet, the worst was seeing the physical and psychological abuse and injustice especially women were subjected to. It caused pain and agony. I remember wishing to be as strong as Mike Tyson so I could defend them, but I wasn’t built like that. Later I started travelling to Europe and I saw how women and children were treated. They had rights there. I then realized I don’t need bulging biceps to fight for women and children, I can be a human rights champion.

So, instead of going to the gym I studied public health, social work, humanitarian standards, primary health care and water and sanitation. Right now, I’m working on a PhD in social work.

What’s your working day like?

Working in a level 3 emergency is very exciting but also challenging. My agenda and to-do list is constantly hijacked by more pressing issues. The days are often long, but I’m truly privileged to have an opportunity to change the lives of women and children in South Sudan.

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

My job is to make sure children in Yambio, South Sudan, have enough water, enough to eat, have a school to go to, get help if they are sick and can go to sleep every night feeling safe. Many children need help, so I have a lot to do.  

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

I wanted to be a teacher. A teacher was one of the most respectable person in my village. It was also interesting for me when a teacher could read for us interesting stories and teach us interesting songs. We could sing and jump and laugh at the funny stories. I said to myself, I should be a teacher and teach other children. When I grew up, my interests changed towards social justice. I am grateful that my work at UNICEF still gives me the opportunity to work with children; and I have in the past taken on a teaching role and lectured in Universities.

How/when did you join UNICEF?

In 2015 when I joined UNICEF Ebola response in Liberia. I had already been working alongside UNICEF in Sierra Leone. I was working for an INGO and I was amazed by the work UNICEF was doing. I remember I was thinking that I want to work for UNICEF one day. When the post in Liberia was listed, I applied and I was so excited when I learnt that I got the job. I have never looked back. UNICEF’s mandate fits my aspirations for a better world.

What are the most satisfying parts of your job?

Serving the women and children in South Sudan. In an emergency context, you are able make a difference in people’s lives every day. That is humbling and exciting at the same time. My job also gives me an opportunity to learn. Resolving the challenges gives me a sense of achievement at the end of the day. A bonus is that I get to travel all over the world and meet new people.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

Being in a position where I have to make important decisions, which senior management should also agree with. For instance, balancing decisions on staff safety and security and continuing with humanitarian assistance (field monitoring).

What’s your best UNICEF experience/memory?

The best memorable experience is coordinating the Ebola response in Margibi and Monrovia in Liberia in 2015. This role gave me the opportunity to make critical decisions for UNICEF geared towards saving lives and controlling the spread of the disease. It was extremely gratifying when the epidemic was finally declared over. We left Liberia in jubilation having been part of the team that had responded to the worst Ebola outbreak the world had ever witnessed. These memories are still fresh in my mind.

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

Participating in the Ebola response in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The virus was everywhere but you couldn’t see it. I remember when I came down with a high fever in Sierra Leone and I was confined in order to protect others in case I had Ebola. Quarantine was a horrible experience. I felt abandoned, rejected, isolated and left alone to die. I was so terrified of dying and leaving my six-year-old son without a father. This was the reality for many families in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. I was lucky, it wasn’t Ebola that made me sick. But the experience reminded be about the risks we all took going there.

What are your passions?

Travelling all over the world, meeting new people.

How do you spend your free time?  

I spend my free time going to the gym. I also like to travel and see new places. Going out with friends is another way I spend my free time.

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

To keep trying and never give up! Have a mentor who can provide general guidance on the CV and interview process.  Also, to go on the UNICEF website and read about our work. There is a lot of useful information on the website.

Who do you look towards for inspiration?  

Erma Manoncourt. She was a former UNICEF Representative for Egypt Country Office. Her humility and technical skills are dependable. Although she was high up in ranks she remained down to earth and has really inspired me a lot.

My colleagues don’t know that…

I’m a trained massage therapist although I don’t practice it now :)