A Journey Through Crisis: My Path in UNDP and the Power of Women in Conflict Zones
In the face of adversity, there are women who dedicate their lives to creating positive change. The UNDP Women in Crisis Settings series showcases the incredible career journeys of six resilient women who work in some of the most challenging environments on the planet. These stories of determination and perseverance highlight the extraordinary resilience required to navigate crises while also showcasing the profound impact their work has on communities in need. From conflict zones to disaster-stricken areas, these women not only endure but thrive, adapting swiftly and leading with unwavering commitment.
My name is Rana El-Houjeiri, and for more than two decades, I have been on a transformative journey that has taken me across borders, through multiple regions and several conflict zones, and deep into the complexities of humanitarian and socio-economic development work. I have served in crisis and transitional settings, advancing broader development agendas across several countries and regions. Each of these experiences presented unique challenges but also reaffirmed my unwavering belief in the potential for change, growth, and resilience.
As a Lebanese woman shaped by a backdrop of conflict and complexities, I am committed to standing up for justice and fighting for equality. My journey is about harnessing the inherent strength of women — leading with courage, breaking barriers, and defying limitations — to promote peace, support recovery efforts, and build stable institutions that ensure a sustainable and just future for all. This mission is not just professional but profoundly personal, driven by the desire to create a better world for generations to come, and aligns closely to my decision to pursue a career with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Women, like myself, are natural fighters — we lead with courage, break barriers, and defy limitations. This journey is about harnessing that strength, breaking the glass ceiling, and using it to promote peace, support recovery efforts, and build stable institutions that ensure a sustainable and just future for all. The same journey that also endows me today with a resilience essential in navigating the crisis settings I now encounter in Ukraine with its multi-faceted layers of challenges and complexities.
I have built a career of over 22-years with the United Nations, holding various roles across different regions. From my early positions at UN ESCWA, where I oversaw many impactful regional initiatives in promoting public sector reform and modernization, to advancing good governance practices, integrating peacebuilding measures and conflict prevention strategies within governance frameworks , and developing social policies that promote equality and social justice, ensuring that vulnerable communities are integrated into the development process. My career trajectory is marked by exceptional expertise in bridging the development-humanitarian nexus, advancing international cooperation, and leading South-South cooperation initiatives. I managed over 50 complex projects and programmes, spearheading institutional transformations and driving systemic change across more than 28 countries spanning Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, and Latin America. My work focuses on tackling systemic inequalities, designing pro-poor policies and building systems that contribute to social stability, economic revitalization and peacebuilding efforts in fragile contexts.
Prior to joining UNDP, I served as the Malala Fund Country Representative for Lebanon during a severe economic and education crisis. I successfully led the organization’s expansion, strengthened its strategic partnership base and advanced its education strategy, focusing on transformative education as an enabler and equalizer for justice and equality, aimed at bridging educational gaps and empowering marginalized students. Before joining UNDP, I served as the Regional Portfolio and Fund Manager for Arab States and Europe-Central Asia at UN Women, overseeing programs in 18 countries under the Global Fund for Gender Equality. My work focused on supporting CSOs and governments to empower marginalized women and communities through economic and political initiatives at scale coupled with policy and legislative reforms, advancing the SDGs. My function employed a suite of capabilities to build the capacities of governments and civil society organizations, fostering institutional growth and resilience.
Recently, I joined UNDP , serving as the Senior Advisor and Head of Policy and Programme Coherence for UNDP Ukraine, guiding sustainable recovery efforts by aligning immediate response actions with long-term strategic goals, driving programmatic excellence, policy reforms, and the accelerated delivery of impactful solutions for transformative recovery at both national and subnational levels.
Managing programmes in complex and crisis contexts requires a unique blend of skills — ones honed through experience, resilience, and adaptability. The transition to this role required great flexibility and adaptability. My role is of highly demanding leaving little room for a proper onboarding or adjustment period. The role demands a strategic approach to decision-making under pressure, as well as the ability to pivot and adapt plans in real time. This environment requires immediate immersion into complex, fast-moving situations, where understanding the nuances of the crisis and development landscape is crucial. In Ukraine, for instance, the challenges are immense, involving diverse team coordination, large teams’ management, while navigating high stakeholder expectations, and balancing immediate recovery needs with long-term rebuilding goals — you are expected to hit the ground running from day one. I believe I have been able to do this effectively, making a noticeable impact early in my role.
Building trust with local communities, aligning with governmental policies, and harmonizing donor contributions are all part of the intricate web of managing expectations and fostering collaboration. At the core of this work lies my commitment to empowering communities to rise from conflict and build sustainable, resilient recovery and development.
The Challenges Women Face Working in Crisis Settings
Working in crisis settings as a woman is no easy feat. Women in these roles are scarce and often isolated, balancing high-pressure work environments with personal commitments, especially if they are mothers like myself (of young children). The mental and physical toll can be immense. In Ukraine, the bombings and shellings are daily reminders of the precariousness of life in a conflict zone. The emotional burden of being away from family is significant, especially when there is no easy way to return home in case of emergencies, given the absence of accessible sea or airports- which I believe is not adequately discussed or highlighted in the specific unique case of Ukraine compared to other crisis contexts. This challenge is further compounded by the shift in R&R cycles, which originally operated on a 4-week basis but have now unexpectedly changed to a 6-week cycle without any clear justification or explanation provided. For many of us working in crisis zones, particularly in Ukraine, we are not just miles but often days away from the people we love.
Despite the obstacles, I believe that women bring a unique perspective to these roles. The system should indeed encourage more women leadership in crisis. Our empathy and adaptability allow us to connect deeply with the communities we serve. We are often more attuned to the needs of communities, i.e. women and children, who are disproportionately affected by conflict. Women leaders in crisis have proven to take a holistic view of crises, addressing not only the immediate issues but also the interconnected factors with inclusivity, ensuring gender-responsive policies that foster long-term resilience and social cohesion.
Many women hesitate to take on such roles because of the demands and risks involved. I understand this hesitation, having experienced firsthand the strain of balancing work with motherhood. What I would like to see, and what I continue to advocate for, is greater female leadership in crisis settings coupled with a much needed flexibility and support systems within organizations like the UNDP to help women thrive in these environments.
How We Can Support Women Working in these scenarios
There is a clear need to create systems that enable women to succeed in crisis settings. Organizations must invest in policies that offer flexibility, such as teleworking options, extended leave for family emergencies, and special measures that account for the added pressures women face. This is especially true for mothers working in these zones. Additionally, mentorship and leadership programs specifically aimed at equipping women with the skills to navigate complex humanitarian crises would be invaluable.
To all the women considering careers in crisis settings: Believe in your power! The path may be tough, but your impact will be transformative. You are not just stepping into a role; you are reshaping futures and building stronger communities, including your own. Do not let anything — whether societal expectations, personal doubts, or the complex realities of the work — stand in the way of your passion and purpose. You have the strength to lead, and the world needs your courage and vision now more than ever.
The world needs more women in leadership roles in crisis settings. Women bring a level of compassion, resilience, and perspective that is crucial to the recovery of communities ravaged by conflict. The work is hard, but it is also deeply rewarding and profound.
