The Pacific is a region of breathtaking beauty and deep geographic complexity—14 island nations scattered across the vast ocean, each with its own culture, challenges, and hopes for development. It’s here, in this vibrant yet vulnerable part of the world, that I found my calling. I’m Anamul Haque, and in July 2024, I joined the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Pacific as UN Volunteer. My mission? To help ensure that every child—no matter how remote their island—has access to health, education, and protection.
As a Knowledge Management and Monitoring Officer, I work behind the scenes to make sure our programmes across 14 island nations that are part of UNICEF’s Pacific Multi-Country Office are smarter, faster, and more impactful. I lead efforts to simplify how we collect, share, and use information across the region. That means building a five-year knowledge management strategy (2023–2027), launching a centralized knowledge management hub, and guiding teams through data visualization and monitoring systems that turn numbers into action.
But systems only work when people can use them. That’s why I’ve trained teams across the Pacific—in tools like training sessions on web-based tools like Microsoft SharePoint to help staff manage knowledge assets more effectively and with confidence. The result? Better programme reviews, stronger donor reporting, and a more connected UNICEF Pacific—from Suva to field offices in Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, North Pacific, and Samoa.
And the impact is real. It is satisfying to see that the changes we’ve implemented have already begun to bear fruit. Our new reporting processes and knowledge hub are already improving decision-making across the region.
As Robert Carr, Chief of Planning, Monitoring and Reporting at UNICEF Pacific, put it: “Anamul plays a critical role in helping us better organize how we manage, analyze, and share knowledge. His efforts push us to become a leader, facilitator, and convenor for children in the Pacific. When we need to take data and make it come alive—we go to Anam.”
Volunteering with UNICEF has transformed me. Professionally, I’ve grown in strategic thinking and cross-cultural collaboration. Personally, adapting to island life in Fiji —far from my home in Bangladesh—has taught me resilience and broadened my worldview.
Introducing new systems across diverse teams isn’t easy—it takes patience, empathy, and a lot of listening. But every time I see a colleague confidently using a new tool or a programme team making a data-driven decision, I know it’s worth it.
Why do I volunteer? For me, volunteering is not just a professional commitment, it is a personal calling. It’s about giving back and using my skills to build a better world. Because I believe in the power of service. And even if the impact of my work isn’t always visible, every well-documented result is a step toward a better future.
I’m Anamul Haque from Bangladesh, and through volunteering, I’ve found a way to give back—and move the world forward. Every child deserves a chance to thrive, and through my work, I am honoured to help make that a reality.