Hanchul Kim

1. What kind of work are you doing in Juba?

I currently serve as a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist at UNICEF South Sudan country office. My journey with UNICEF began in Mongolia in October 2016. From there, I moved to Kenya, then worked with the East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, before finally arriving in Juba, South Sudan.

WASH is a fundamental human right. However, in South Sudan, nearly 60% (6.4 million people) of the population do not have basic drinking water, and an estimated 75% (8.1 million people) lack safe sanitation services. Moreover, 94% (10.3 million people) lack handwashing facilities with soap, which is essential to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 or pneumonia and diarrhea, two of the biggest killers of children under five years old in South Sudan. That is why I am here.

In my role, I focus on rural WASH programmes, collaborating with the government and various partners to establish sustainable management of water and sanitation systems in communities, schools, and healthcare facilities. These efforts are crucial in saving thousands of lives. Essentially, my work involves strengthening the public health system through targeted WASH interventions. More importantly, we are working at scale, with the focus shifting towards building and strengthening systems.

WASH requires close collaboration with other sections because our work encompasses a broad range of issues. We address menstrual health and hygiene for adolescent girls, infection prevention and control, and behavior change initiatives to stop open defecation. Our comprehensive approach ensures a holistic improvement in public health and hygiene standards, significantly contributing to the well-being of the people in South Sudan.

2. Tell us about your career so far and what made you decide to pursue a career in international development cooperation?

When I was a student, I had an opportunity to engage in short-term volunteer work in Mongolia. This was a turning point in my life. I witnessed extreme poverty there. I particularly remember a group of children who were carrying buckets and spent long hours fetching water. It left a strong impression on me. Since then, I have developed an interest in international development issues.

After graduating in 2003, I traveled to Ghana for long-term volunteer work. While working in Ghana and traveling to other parts of West Africa, I encountered many people suffering from water-related issues. However, I was uncertain about where to begin. It took me some time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, as at that time, I found no one to advise me on career paths in international development, particularly in the WASH sector. Since then, I had the opportunity to take a 7-month international aid and development course in Ireland. I mostly spent my spare time reading books in the development studies section at University College Dublin, where I learned about the WASH sector.

After working in the private sector for two years, I went to the UK for a master's course. A year later, I gained practical, hands-on experience from the Water, Engineering, and Development Centre (WEDC), a visionary organization that trains engineers and managers to create appropriate public health systems. Upon completion, I was fortunate to work with UNDP Mongolia, then continued my career in the WASH and climate sector with KOICA, a government donor agency, an NGO, and UNHCR before joining UNICEF.

3. You've worked in a wide range of organizations. What specifically drew you to work for UNICEF?

During my master's studies in the UK, I encountered a broad spectrum of WASH-related reports published by UNICEF. At that time, my knowledge of UNICEF was somewhat limited, and I harbored a vague aspiration to work with them in the future. A few years later, while working with UNHCR in Uganda, I had the opportunity to participate in a five-day 'WASH in Emergency' training organized by UNICEF. This training offered me an in-depth understanding of UNICEF's programs and operations. I was particularly impressed by the professional and systematic manner in which UNICEF manages its WASH programmes, setting it apart from other international development organizations with which I was familiar. As my contract was nearing its end, I noticed a job opening for a UNICEF consultant position in Mongolia and seized the opportunity without hesitation.

4. What was the most memorable moment working for UNICEF?

While working at UNICEF Kenya, I encountered significant physical challenges. We initiated a new water supply project in Turkana, a region in the northwestern part of Kenya characterized by extreme heat, with midday temperatures ranging from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius. The area receives relatively little rainfall, leading most residents to obtain their water by digging in dry riverbeds.

A month after joining UNICEF Kenya, I traveled to Turkana to conduct a feasibility study. Upon arriving in a remote village, after a full day of fieldwork, I was exhausted, and my clothes were drenched in sweat. I found myself sleeping intermittently throughout the night, waking up roughly every 10 minutes. Although UN regulations typically mandate staying in somewhat secure accommodations, this was an exception. I made monthly visits to the project site, lasting about a week each time, and from then on, I always carried a simple mosquito net with me. At times, I had to sleep outside the building due to the lack of an air conditioner or fan inside and the absence of power during the night, which made the outdoors much cooler and more comfortable. Sleeping with the breeze filtering through the mosquito net and gazing at the stars in the night sky, I gradually adapted to the local conditions.

After months of relentless effort, seeing water flow through the pipes and watching children in schools gain access to water and latrines, enabling them to pursue a proper education, was profoundly rewarding. The ability to improve people's lives and contribute meaningfully to others is the most fulfilling aspect of my job.

5. Do you have any advice or message for students or professionals who want to work at UNICEF?

UNICEF is an organization that demands highly specialized expertise in various areas—health, nutrition, child protection, education, gender equality, climate change, nutrition, WASH, social behavior, and communication, among others—all critical in advancing the rights of children worldwide.

Therefore, my advice would be to identify the area you are most passionate about and aim to become an expert in that field. Excelling in a specific domain will not only make your work more fulfilling but also significantly contribute to UNICEF's mission.