Our team assistants?are the foundation of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), providing the structure and reliability that enable the entire organization to thrive.?
Today, we meet?Panrawee Akachonniyom, with OCHA¡¯s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Thailand, who explains the importance of 'duty of care' in a fast-paced work environment.
You work in one of the most disaster-prone regions. What does a typical day at work look like?
As a Team Assistant, I provide administrative support to team members for the procurement of a wide range of acquisitions, from low-value cases to high-value cases. I support the organization of workshops and events, ensuring full compliance with Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ procedures and regulations and coordinating with suppliers so that our events run smoothly.
I also handle the shipping of office supplies from Thailand to various country offices, both within the region and beyond. I am responsible for deploying kits and medical supplies. This comes with responsibilities, as I feel the health and well-being of my colleagues, especially during surge missions,?also depend on my ability to do my job in a timely manner.
Administrative tasks are at the core of my job, but they are the foundation of our operations, so I take great pride in providing that support to my team.
What are the main challenges you face??
The biggest challenge in my work is juggling multiple tasks at once. Given the fast-paced nature of our work environment and?also the unpredictability of some of the crises we respond to, my support might be needed immediately and unexpectedly.
I often work within tight timeframes, which leaves?little time to do important things like arranging travel for staff deploying?on surge missions. And when I am on surge myself, prioritizing becomes even more challenging. That?is when teamwork makes a world of difference.
How do you balance work with your well-being in such a fast-paced environment?
We have a personal responsibility to take care of ourselves, to recognize the signs of stress and fatigue, and to take time to recharge. However, it is equally important to have managers who genuinely care about their staff's well-being.
At the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, our leadership places significant value on our welfare, especially when the workload is?intense. They make it a point to check in on us and provide support whenever it is needed.
What advice would you give to a colleague starting as a General Services staff member?in the humanitarian field?
First and foremost, recognize the importance of learning. Accept that you don¡¯t know everything and be open to acquiring new skills and knowledge, as it will be invaluable as you grow into your role, build your expertise, and foster important relationships with colleagues as you learn from one another.
Second, I have come to realize that the success of each mission relies heavily on teamwork, effective communication, and collaboration.?I feel fortunate to be part of an incredibly supportive team.
Finally, try to balance work and personal life. It is not always easy, especially if you work in the middle of a crisis, but it is important to set some boundaries, understand how much you can handle, and recognize when to take a break.?
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