89. Inside Humanitarian Recruitment at the UN with Liliana Nieves Paez

As the UN marks 80 years of service, Liliana Nieves shares what it really takes to build effective humanitarian teams. From recruiting during a cholera outbreak in South Sudan to achieving gender parity at UN headquarters, she reveals:

✅ Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills ✅ How to tackle unconscious bias in hiring ✅ The direct link between strategic recruitment and mental health ✅ Why diversity isn't just nice to have—it's essential for effectiveness ✅ Real advice for breaking into humanitarian work

"We're not only hiring skills, but a team's culture and the capacity to manage pressure. Hiring the right person means selecting individuals who have the emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to work effectively in high-stress environments."

Whether you're considering humanitarian work or managing teams in challenging contexts, this conversation offers actionable insights on building teams that can handle the emotional demands of making a real difference.

Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes