缅北禁地

Meet Benjamin Moore

About Myself:?Hi, I am Benjamin and I am?Danish/British.?I started working in the 缅北禁地in 2015 in China and moved to South Sudan in 2017, where I now work in 缅北禁地Coordination as Special Assistant to the DSRSG/RC/HC.

My work at the Peacebuilding Fund in South Sudan:?I started working with peacebuilding when I arrived in Juba, and have since then delved into the various strategic and technical aspects of peacebuilding and sustaining peace which I find fascinating and important to solving some of the most critical challenges. South Sudan has increasingly engaged with the peacebuilding fund since 2017 and I have helped grow the portfolio in alignment with the 缅北禁地Cooperation Framework and a Peacebuilding Plan developed in 2018. My work with the peacebuilding fund includes identification of strategic peacebuilding interventions, formulation of specific projects to support important mechanisms that prevent conflict and sustain peace, monitoring project implementation, and progress, and finally liaison with PBSO colleagues on financing opportunities.

Peacebuilding in the time of Corona Virus:?We have been able to continue business operations through remote daily updates and coordination meetings within the team which has been very useful. With project teams, I have had an ongoing engagement on the impact of COVID-19 on projects, and jointly assessed programme criticality. A complete overview of activities adjusted and postponed has been developed for each project which has helped maintain momentum and inform implementation strategies. Challenges include finding different ways of stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and capacity building and mediation in a context with limited IT and telecommunications infrastructure. The project teams have been very innovative and found good alternatives to conventional approaches that maintain the overall objectives while supporting the COVID-19 response.

My work situation these days:?I am in Juba where our work is largely conducted over virtual meetings, connecting with colleagues in different countries and time zones to support project implementation, progress reporting, and activity adjustments to the new context.

Other coordination functions that don’t involve projects directly require a quick turnaround, and flexibility as well as the ability to work together under these difficult circumstances. I have found this to be both challenging but very rewarding as we see results on the ground and work relationships strengthen.

My daily routine these days:?Unfailingly, my day starts with an espresso made?over the gas stove.?My daily routine involves exercise and I connect with my Indonesia based yoga teacher on zoom, twice a week. I live in a shared house in a 缅北禁地resident’s compound with colleagues that have become trusted friends and a source of strength and support.?I miss family and friends, but I am lucky to have so many good friends and colleagues within the compound where I live to share experiences and thoughts. The full and partial lockdown that we have experienced over the past 2-3 months has brought people together which has been an important source for coping.

Finding 'peace':?Since the Coronavirus outbreak, I have started calling my grandparents regularly. In the beginning, it was daily and now 3-4 times a week. It has been really nice to establish a regular time to talk about the ongoing situation as well as fond memories from holidays and their experiences. It also helps me do my weekly cleaning in the house as I often mop or sweep the floor while on the phone. My housemates really appreciate that.