On Friday, June 13, Friends of UTokyo hosted an online webinar featuring two distinguished speakers who shared their experiences working at major international institutions. The event was supported by UTokyo alumni organizations including Satsukikai America, New York Ichokai, and the U-Tokyo Alumni Association in Washington DC. The session focused on career pathways at the World Bank and the United Nations, offering practical insights into the qualifications, challenges, and motivations that shaped each speaker’s journey.
The first speaker, Yukio Tanaka is a Senior Water Resources Management Specialist, Water Global Practice, at The World Bank. Dr. Tanaka emphasized the importance of having a clear sense of purpose before aiming to work for international organizations. Drawing on his own background in agricultural civil engineering and international development, he described his work in water resource management and flood control, including recent projects in India’s Assam region. Dr. Tanaka outlined the various stages of an international career, ranging from early-stage experiences such as JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) programs, development consulting, and UN internships, to mid-career transitions through programs like JPO (Junior Professional Officer) and UN Volunteers. He stressed the importance of fieldwork in developing countries and urged young professionals to seek hands-on experiences early. In addition to discussing institutional hiring practices, he noted the significance of networking as a key professional skill, especially in global environments where collaboration and visibility are critical. He noted that the appeal of working for an international organization is the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds, to be involved in shaping international policy, and to have opportunities for personal growth.
The second speaker, Shinichi Hirao, is an Associate Political Affairs Officer in the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). As a current JPO, Mr. Hirao offered a detailed overview of the JPO program as a structured pathway into the UN system. He explained that Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports JPO placements financially, enabling young professionals to gain two years of experience within the UN. Mr. Hirao described the competitive nature of international hiring, the timeline of the JPO application process, and the importance of matching individual qualifications with the specific requirements listed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for each position. He also introduced the UN’s competency-based interviews, which assess candidates not only on technical skills but also on core values such as professionalism and client orientation. Mr. Hirao emphasized that JPO experience significantly enhances one’s chances of securing future positions through open recruitment.
During the Q and A session, the speakers answered previously submitted questions and live questions from the audience. Questions touched on a range of topics including whether their experience in middle to high school shaped their career decision, when they decided on their career path, the kinds of initial jobs or industries that would lead to a career at the UN or World Bank, and how their university major and degrees play a role in their career path. They both provided a comprehensive view of what it takes to work in global institutions and highlighted both the intrinsic rewards, such as contributing to global development and working with people from diverse backgrounds, and the need for resilience, clarity of purpose, and strategic planning in navigating these competitive career paths.
Finally, the organizer thanked the speakers saying, “The presentations were both very informative and helpful, as they provided information which is not commonly available by simply reading the relevant websites.” Participants continued a lively dialogue with the speakers in the reception which followed.