The Variety WVI Offers: Field and Office, National and International
For Nadine, Wahana Visi Indonesia is not just an ordinary home, but a safe and comfortable one to develop professional and personal skills. Currently, this 32-year-old woman works as a Grant and Contract Compliance Specialist. However, in addition to her daily responsibilities, Nadine is also a member of the South Asia Pacific Regional Disaster Management Team (SAP RDMT). These two different functions can harmonise Nadine's career at WVI.
Nadine's story and the world of humanitarianism began with the earthquake emergency response in Lombok in 2018. However, long before that, she was a nature enthusiast who preferred field work to office work. "Being involved in Mahitala Unpar (students club for nature activities in Parahyangan University) certainly gave me a strong foundation to work in the field," she said. The Lombok emergency response became a moment that offered the opportunity to work in the field while also solidifying her heart to pursue a career in the humanitarian world.
"The Lombok Emergency Response was indeed full of mixed emotions, between sadness at seeing the damage and suffering, and excitement at being able to contribute and meet many people who share the same spirit. Meeting humanitarian workers from cross-organisations and local partners also provided many lessons and expanded my network," she said. For Nadine, the collective spirit to help children and communities affected by disasters is something very valuable and motivating.
After feeling a strong calling to enter the humanitarian world, this Industrial Technical graduate was involved in several other disaster responses such as the earthquake and liquefaction in Central Sulawesi, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Cianjur earthquake in West Java. In several disaster responses that occurred in 2018, Nadine was still with another humanitarian organisation and served as a field staff member. In 2020, she decided to explore other roles in the humanitarian world and applied to WVI as a Program Officer.
Her work at WVI turned out not to be field work. She served as a liaison between World Vision offices in various countries and the office in Indonesia. Her current position is also slightly removed from field work. As a Grant and Contract Compliance Specialist, Nadine is responsible for ensuring that all grant-funded projects entrusted to WVI run well, according to standards, and comply with donor agreements.
Being far from the hustle and bustle of emergency situation and field work did not dampen her calling. "I believe that the grant projects I manage reach many communities and have a significant positive impact," she said. Not being directly with the assisted children and communities does not mean that Nadine has lost the opportunity to be involved in humanitarian actions. In her heart, Nadine still has the hope of being able to contribute to various humanitarian affairs. Therefore, she involved herself in the WVI National Disaster Management Team (NDMT), and even continued to the SAP RDMT level. In the team that is ready to be deployed in the event of a disaster, Nadine still works as a grant fund manager, like her daily work. It's just that her projects are no longer long-term community development projects, but disaster response.
Having the opportunity to play dual roles makes Nadine feel that WVI has succeeded in becoming a good place to learn and grow. "Every project and emergency response I have participated in has provided valuable experience and strengthened my commitment to keep contributing to humanitarian efforts. I have also been able to meet many new colleagues who have become my friends at WVI. As an only child, I feel like I have many siblings. Older ones who always give attention and support, younger ones who give new perspectives, and fellow humanitarian workers who are not only fun, but also willing to help in various problems," Nadine said.
Even because of this dual role, Nadine was able to get a special assignment to World Vision Papua New Guinea (WV PNG) for three months in 2023. "During the assignment, I learned to face the challenges and dynamics of working in a new and different environment, especially in a fragile context. I also learned about the importance of security checks in areas with high crime rates, the importance of transparency and accountability in project management, and the integration of gender-sensitive approaches in programmes. I also felt satisfied to be able to share the knowledge I gained at WVI to improve the capacity of local staff in Papua New Guinea, especially in terms of Grant Acquisition and Management," said this Star Wars film enthusiast.
Working at WVI has given Nadine the opportunity to live a life that has an impact on children and communities, a life of continuous learning and development, and a life accompanied by friends. After five years of joining WVI, in addition to expanding her professional capacity, Nadine also feels that she has developed into a more resilient, flexible and adaptable person. "I have also developed in terms of empathy and understanding the social conditions of children and communities. Interacting directly with children and communities makes me more sensitive to their needs and challenges," she said.
Opportunity after opportunity, both at the national and international levels, has been obtained by Nadine during her career at WVI. And WVI still offers extensive exploration opportunities for Nadine. Boredom and saturation certainly exist, but for Nadine, WVI is still the right place for her to continue to grow. "Because WVI is one of the organisations that still holds strong to its core values, and still offers opportunities to grow for me," she said. So, not only children and communities experience change, but staff like Nadine also feel it.
Author: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
