Elise Bijon, a proud and happy mother of twins, holds three Master’s degrees in Philosophy, Communications and Political Science. Elise started her career as a cultural journalist in Paris and Beirut, before joining Shell’s communication and CSR team in France.
Upon moving to the Gulf, she started working for the international advertising firm JWT, later on she was enrolled by the Office of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein to act as the Communication Manager of the International Humanitarian City, a hub established by the Government of Dubai to host and facilitate the work of UN agencies and international NGOs out of the region. She relocated to Guinea Conakry where she worked for the Political and Strategic Unit of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), before coming back to Dubai to first serve as the Country Representative of French NGO ACTED. She later joined the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in her current role as Regional Private Sector Partnership Manager for the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia region.
In this interview with Bayt.com, Elise opens up and talks about her work, her experience with NGOs, and her advice to professionals who want to enter this field.
Some days are spent on the road meeting existing or potential donors; these may be foundations, companies or individuals. We discuss ways our organizations can join forces to mobilize the funds required to provide crucial food assistance to children, women and men affected by conflicts, natural disasters and deep poverty in the Middle East and around the world. I take note of their objectives and specific geographic and programmatic interests to be able to revert with tailor-made partnership proposals. We may also plan fundraising campaigns and events to engage their stakeholders. The rest of the week is spent at the WFP UAE Office, located at the International Humanitarian City, liaising with our headquarters in Rome and our field offices to prepare proposals, sharing information with my wider team and following up with the local authorities to secure all necessary authorizations for our planned campaigns and events in the region.
WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, fighting hunger worldwide. What inspires me first is the cause and the people that we serve, because access to food is the condition of possibility of everything else: health, education, work, economic development and, to a certain extent, well-being and peace. I also cherish the relationship that I build with some donors; it is a very special connection whereby we try to anchor their organization in an altruistic philosophy and have a tangible impact in the lives of families in need. I love WFP and I love my job. I feel privileged to serve such a professional and driven organization, which provides crucial food assistance to more than 80 million people in 75 countries each year.
For those considering to shift from the commercial sector to the nonprofit world, volunteering is a great way to learn the jargon, who is doing what and some of the required skills. Build a network and – very important – make sure the job is for you before your turn your back to a more lucrative career. Working for a nonprofit is not all about “putting your hands in the mud”, or “going to the deep field”. You spend significant time behind a computer planning, researching, sending emails, budgeting, reporting… Most UN agencies look for skilled professionals – including senior profiles – who can commit for several months, full time, with no remuneration – it is a financial sacrifice you should consider if you are serious about making such a drastic shift in your career. I did it for more than a year and it paid off.
Passion, knowledge and humility.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide.In emergencies – like in Syria, Yemen and Iraq – we get food to where it is needed; saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After the cause of an emergency has passed, we use food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. WFP is also the world’s largest provider of school meals, a powerful incentive for vulnerable families to send their children to school and keep them there.
To find out more about WFP and make a donation, visit our website www.wfp.org. Companies and individuals who wish to make a large contribution can also contact me directly. To volunteer and submit your CV, contact hr.dubai@wfp.org.
In January of this year, Bayt.com launched a company-wide internal fundraising campaign to feed innocent civilians in besieged towns in Syria. Through the generous contributions of Bayt.com employees, which were matched by Bayt.com, we were able to raise a total of USD 9,944 which were donated entirely to WFP as part of Bayt.com’s annual CSR initiatives.
