30 Nov 2016

Cory Steinhauer, International Aid Worker and all round humanitarian legend. Usually found in the ocean, Cory pretends to surf really well in a never-ending pursuit to burn off the caffeine he ingests via his coffee addiction. When not drinking coffee and getting wet, Cory is a bit of news-hound and can be found passionately discussing the latest global events with others, or himself if things get desperate enough.

We had the absolute pleasure of talking to Cory about his experiences working for the UN and within the humanitarian space. This is our favourite interview we have ever done, so enjoy the read!

Cory, tell me about who you are and who you’ve worked for! Obviously we’re all here to hear about the UN and your experiences as a humanitarian. I’d love to know how you found yourself in that space and what that space means to you.

Don’t hold it against me, but I’m a Kiwi. Just one that grew up looking out at the world and really wanting to be a part of something bigger… you know, change the world!

I actually got my foot in the humanitarian aid and community development space in Mexico City of all places. I started out teaching in some schools that also acted as community centres after hours. I would often hang back and check out what was happening, being discussed, just trying to learn the issues that were important to the people. It seemed a logical step to ask if I could help! From those grassroots days I have taken so many lessons with me throughout the rest of my career.

From there I made the transition to working with Non-Government Organisations, NGO’s. Not the massive behemoths like Oxfam or World Vision, but smaller more targeted organisations. I guess being young in my humanitarian career it was also easier to get into these smaller ones.

This journey then took me to Afghanistan. Based in Kabul but managing programs from the Iranian border to the Pakistani border, I got to experience what is one of the most beautiful, engaging and complex societies in the world. From there I did additional stints with NGO’s in South Sudan, Cambodia, Timor, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam before I personally felt I had the experience to aim for a UN gig.

Whether it was right place, right time, or what, I’m not sure, but I managed to get through what is one complicated recruitment process!

And that’s how I found myself working for the UN in Somalia. As the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist my role was to provide advisory and strategic support to all the projects and programs being implemented across what is another incredible, yet complex place.

How exactly does one come to work for the UN? A lot of people see it as the greatest of the great. Is this the case?

Obviously the UN has such massive exposure that for many of us we do see it as the epitome of humanitarian work. And to get there is a process! Professionally and personally. But to be honest it is like most careers in the sense that the top gigs with the big organisations are the most competitive. Your role is to ensure you are as employable and competitive as possible to battle through the masses and snag the role.

So how to actually get there? Sounds cliched, but put a plan in place. Not a 12 month stick on the fridge plan, but a very real 3-5 year plan with actionable steps. Because the UN is step 10, it’s never step 1… but it is a step! I firmly believe, anyone who wants it, who really wants it, will get it. Of course it’s hard, but most cool things are hard–doesn’t mean you should give up!

As for the greatest of the great? Well, the UN, it’s a large bureaucratic monster. Of course across the large number of different UN agencies there is some incredible work being accomplished, but, much like the domestic public sector, there is plenty of red tape and wastage that occurs.

I am only one person, and I firmly believe in the role of the UN, but please don’t discount the innumerable other ways to create lasting social change… particularly without the red tape!

I believe you’ve recently ventured into developing humanitarian courses and running study tours? Why did you decide to venture down that path? What’s involved?

Because we all want to make a difference! Often we just don’t know how–and I’m not talking about dollar a day donations here, I’m talking proper work… investing yourself in solving the world’s most pressing issues. In a future of increasing human vulnerability to global events we require more people dedicated to finding solutions to humanitarian challenges.

I want to find, train and prepare these people!

Humanitarian Institute also came about because I noticed that most people are at a huge information disadvantage when exploring a humanitarian career, indeed most people don’t even realise humanitarianism is a viable career path! I wanted to change that by bringing the training and support available to professional aid workers to aspiring humanitarians.

What we’re seeing now is that international aid agencies are demanding and competing for technically skilled people. That’s every one of us–because we all have knowledge and skills that we can transfer to the developing world, or to those less fortunate, to make the globe a better place. What I’m doing is responding to this growing skills need and developing services that unlocked both entry-level and professional career opportunities in the $1 trillion humanitarian sector.

What does an average day look like for you?

I’ll give an example of my time in South Sudan. If you don’t much about South Sudan… Google it. It’s a phenomenal place, but the humanitarian situation is dire.

I was managing an equatorian State, kind of out of the way from the usual aid flows so I had to battle for any money I could. My day to day existence was pretty out there. Firstly I lived in a tent; in a compound where our fences were made of thorn bushes, in a small town called Kapoeta. At this time, most of the town was surrounded by a minefield. No paved roads, and what brick structures that existed were mostly bombed out. But in its own unique way it was a beautifully serene environment.

Thereafter an average day would usually involve getting the satellite internet connection set up, checking in with home office and doing the necessary security radio checks and other procedures. From there it’s usually out into the field to work with my teams, local South Sudanese staff, and communities. This would entail 2-4 day trips out to remote areas doing anything from community consultations to checking the progress of project activities–could be a de-guinea worming initiative,… again, Google it; or support for returning refugees. We would be camping out, usually outside of the communities themselves because of ongoing inter-tribal warfare in the area.

From there I would bounce over to my other teams who would be scouring mountainous areas looking for ‘unknown’ villages and conducting initial needs assessments. We would use what Google Earth maps we had (not many!), locate tell-tale signs of habitation, lock in the coordinates and then figure out a way to get there. It was pretty cool.

I guess my main point is that there is no ‘average day’.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced working in the humanitarian sector?

A lot!

Often it’s personal… your emotional, psychological and physical health is so important. Living in challenging environments can put all of this under pressure, so finding ways to look after yourself is always one of the biggest challenges.

But ultimately we’re in the business of positive social change… and for our species change is complicated! So the job of an Aid Worker is subsequently very complex–different cultural and societal norms, different priorities and resources, different risks and threats–it all makes for one VERY interesting job… seriously you will NEVER be bored… and you DO feel part of something much bigger.

What are the best aspects? Your triumphs, the moments when you’ve thought ‘hell yes, this is why I do what I do’?

For the past year or so I have been working on the Syrian crisis, basically supporting moderate opposition groups provide civilian services, like education, to communities in their areas of control. It is a situation beyond complex! But to see the passion and drive of those left on-the-ground; finding a way to get a school open, get kids safely to and from the classroom, ensure teachers are paid a fair stipend, facilitate local participatory governance… all in the middle of a devastating conflict is very rewarding… yet very saddening–if that makes sense.

I do what I do because I feel I have the knowledge and skills to contribute in a meaningful way–that’s my purpose, and I’m lucky my career is one big ‘hell, yes’ moment!

We at Year13 love asking people what they’d tell their 18-year-old self. What would you tell 18-year-old Cory?

Go for it. Don’t let anyway tell you that helping others isn’t a viable career choice… it is, and it’s important!

Look deep down, and make the right choices for you, not what others, or society, thinks you should do. Humanitarianism is an amazing career choice and we need people, like you, to decide to make social change happen!

If not you, then who?