Hello
from
I moved to Palestine four years ago with my family to lead a youth development project. On behalf of the Federal Foreign Office, we support organisations and initiatives that make the lives of children and young people easier in this crisis-affected region by offering psychosocial support.
This includes groups that organise sports and art projects, and young people who have ideas for change. Some of them are involved in renovating playgrounds and organising medical assistance for elderly people. We provide advice on planning and tips on how to cooperate with local councils, for example.
I am always impressed by the enthusiasm and drive of the people here to make a difference. Perhaps from the outside, working in an environment impacted by injustice, where people face violence on a daily basis, might not seem so attractive. But the commitment of the people, and the amazing team spirit in the project really make it all worthwhile.
GIZ also lets us decide whether to live in Ramallah or East Jerusalem. My husband and I chose to live in East Jerusalem, because it’s easier for us to raise our children (aged seven and nine) here. They can attend international schools in Jerusalem and there are also more leisure opportunities here compared to Ramallah. I drive to the office three times a week and otherwise work from home. My husband also works for GIZ. He works part time, which allows us to organise our lives well between Jerusalem and Ramallah.
When I first joined GIZ in 2010, I was an advisor to the Federal Development Ministry in a programme for gender equality and women’s rights. Then I worked in the HR Department as a recruitment officer, where I had the opportunity to get to know GIZ’s internal structures really well. That has proved helpful in my current role, as my job mainly involves supporting my team so that staff can implement projects. I coordinate, lead, resolve problems and take care of HR development. In my role as a manager, a capacity for self-reflection, humility, and the ability to listen are just as important as experience and qualifications.
The special thing about GIZ is undoubtedly the fact that you can gain experience in very different fields and countries. There are lots of development opportunities. I was able to acquire the specific expertise I needed for my managerial and leadership role through in-house training courses, and of course in practice. My team of eight are always there for one another. Nobody is focused solely on their own work – and everyone understands if political events affect a colleague. That is what makes working here so special.
All the best,
Claire Aanes
August 2023