18 September 2008

Of all the UNV volunteers working within UN peacekeeping missions, the Information Technology (IT)  people are possibly the least celebrated. But without them, mission support might break down entirely.

UNV volunteer IT Assistants are tasked with troubleshooting, training and providing support to all computer users at headquarters. They install, monitor and maintain IT networks and look after the other hardware and software that UN staff need on a daily basis.

Rex Castro Jr. from the Philippines gave up a lucrative job in the private sector to work as a UNV volunteer Software Developer and Customer Support Assistant for in the Bureau Integre des Nation Unies au Burundi (BINUB). He explains the contribution that he and UNV volunteers like him make in his own words: "It is because we are the background players that see to it that all the tools and resources the frontrunners need to efficiently do their thing are well taken care of."

"We are supporting the frontrunners, like the diplomats who are running in and out of the conflict areas to at least convince the opposing parties to talk. We are not directly involved, but our functions are as vital as theirs," he concludes.

In order to be on hand at all times, Marie Madeleine Tchouente, a UNV volunteer IT Assistant with the United Nations Mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), starts her days early and finishes late. As well as hard work, a bit of diplomacy is required too. "Sometimes, I have to carry out my assignment according to users' moods and that requires a lot of patience and understanding," she remarks.

"Moreover, some are not familiar with computer tools; it takes time to give them certain basic concepts," adds Ms. Tchouente. "But, with good will and patience, I always reach my objectives and keep the work going."

Read Rex Castro Jr.'s entry here
Read Marie Madeleine Tchouente's entry here