Sofie grundin

• Supported UNOCHA management and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators, with substantive advice and guidance, on humanitarian issues.
• Researched, identified and documented best practice.
• Developed an alternative humanitarian coordination system that is more decentralized, efficient and delivers responses based on community members most urgent needs, to increase effectiveness (and reduce costs, and humanitarian needs).
• Conducted participatory community consultations, enabling targeted interventions that addressed critical community needs - and trained UN/NGO staff on such an approach.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams across UNOCHA to design comprehensive solutions for complex humanitarian challenges.

• Oversaw and advised on the responsibilities and negotiations of the highest UN official in the country (the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator), including negotiations with armed groups and engagement with Foreign Ministers across the Gulf.

Key achievements include:

• A solution to FSO SAFER crisis (biggest UN achievement globally in 2023 as stated by the UN Secretary General).
• Received an award for my contribution to FSO SAFER by the RC/HC
• Ansar Allah/the Houthis signed an agreement to seize the use of children as child soldiers within their ranks.
• Release of kidnapped colleagues (after 1,5 years of negotiations).

• Provided legal advice to UNICEF country offices on issues concerning children's rights, including grave violations against children (child recruitment etc).
• Raised public awareness about humanitarian crises and the impact on children through researching, documenting and writing public reports, including contributing to the Secretary General's annual report on grave violations against children.
• Provided advice and support to UNICEF management on public statements, including UN Security Council statements and engagements.

Key achievements:

• Co-wrote/researched UNICEF's flagship report: "Water Under Fire - Attacks on water and sanitation infrastructure and the impact on children".
• Contributed to UNSC mandate expansions of the need to document grave violations against children during armed conflict in peacekeeping missions.

• Developed the first humanitarian policy gram.
• Oversaw, advised and briefed on humanitarian engagement with Swedish Foreign Ministry and Swedish donor Sida.
• Advised on engagement with media, drafted debate articles and talking points for management.

Key achievements:

• First humanitarian policy program developed.
• Established financial (and political) support for a humanitarian intervention in a politically sensitive conflict zone, resulting in that children had access to education.

• Managed complex humanitarian projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results, oversaw budget development/spending and quality assurance.
• Organized workshops and trainings for local partners, increasing access to funding.
• Oversaw humanitarian interventions in Europe during the refugee crisis, southern Africa, middle east and central and south america.

Key achievements:

• Managed project budget of approximately USD 1 million.
• 100% successful in all applications for funds from donors.
• Secured support, financial and political, for humanitarian intervention in a hard to reach area, securing children's access to education.

• Researched, interviewed and did prison visit to political prisoner Thulani Maseko.

Key achievements:

• Was the only person (aside from Thulani's family) who managed to visit him in prison - and then published an article about the situation in Eswatini. Thulani Maseko was ultimately released about 2 months later.

• Trained partners on international humanitarian law, including human rights law.
• Conducted humanitarian needs assessments.

• Delivered high-quality reports on human rights conditions worldwide, shaping policy debates and informing decision-makers about pressing concerns. This included interviewing people, conducting high-quality research.

• Reviewed legal information/laws and gaps on trafficking in persons, focusing on protection of children across Sub-Sahara Africa.

• Actively participated in outreach efforts with other diplomatic missions in South Africa, resulting in increased engagement and participation.
• Enhanced internship experience by conducting comprehensive research on political affairs and drafting reports on issues concerning human rights.
• Managed complex projects with tight deadlines, demonstrating strong organizational skills and attention to detail.