Sang-Mi Lee

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

In Seoul, I work to strengthen partnerships with the Korean government, which has been a key focus since our liaison office was established in 2017. Our office, a liaison office of the Public Partnerships Division, aims to position UNICEF as a partner of choice for advancing children’s rights globally among governments and public actors.

As a Public Partnership Manager, my role involves fostering deeper collaboration with key Korean counterparts to strengthen partnerships. This includes facilitating ODA environmental analysis, mobilizing financial and non-financial resources, and engaging in policy advocacy. I also work to expand UNICEF’s network of key interlocutors, building stronger relationships between UNICEF and the Government of the Republic of Korea.

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

I served for nine years as the Director General of the Korean Parliamentary League on Children, Population, and Environment at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. During that time, I participated in numerous international conferences and traveled extensively to developing countries with parliamentarians. These experiences provided me with invaluable insights into global issues, the role of donor governments, and how they collaborate with UN agencies to drive positive change.

Transitioning to a multilateral organization like UNICEF felt like a natural progression. After years of working on the government side, I was deeply inspired to dedicate my efforts to making the world a better place for all. I was eager to apply the skills and expertise I had gained to pursue a career in international development cooperation, where I could contribute directly to advancing children’s rights and global development goals.

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

Having worked with UNICEF for over 15 years, I recently received a 15-year long-service award, which was a proud and humbling milestone. Reflecting on my journey, I’ve experienced countless memorable moments, but perhaps the most impactful was the day I received the email from UNICEF’s HR division confirming my appointment. That moment marked the beginning of a deeply fulfilling career dedicated to advancing children’s rights and contributing to global development.

That said, I believe the most memorable moments are still ahead. Every day, I am inspired by UNICEF’s mission and the incredible work we do. I remain confident that the years to come will bring even more compelling stories and unforgettable experiences before my journey comes to an end.

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

If I were to offer advice to those aspiring to work at UNICEF, I’d like to share one of my favorite UNICEF messages, which perfectly captures the spirit of what it takes to create change:

"Unreasonable. It’s how you have to be if you want to change things. Relentless. Tenacious. Stubborn. The world’s children need people like that. People who see impossible as an incentive to try harder. Who’ll find one good reason to keep going in the face of a thousand reasons to stop.

So shout-out to the hard-core who get the hard-yards. Because big problems need big solutions from big-game players. You know that type. The dogged. The determined. The unreasonable. UNICEF. We are 15,000 strong. And we won’t stop until the rights of every child are protected. Will you join us?"

To work at UNICEF is to embody this mindset. It’s about being relentless in your pursuit of solutions, resilient in the face of challenges, and determined to make the impossible possible. If you are driven by the desire to protect the rights of every child and to create lasting change, UNICEF is where you belong!