‘’The Mission is like a big family’’

EUAM Iraq’s Head of Project Cell, Raila Puurunen, became something of a globetrotter already at the early stages of her career. For the past 20 years, she has been running both private and public sector projects in cities and countries such as Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania and the Seychelles. 

Raila holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences and has also worked as lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences. Already during her high school years, Raila was dreaming about a job in humanitarian emergency or crisis context. 

Arriving in Djibouti on her first crisis management Mission was very memorable.

- I really felt like coming home and being finally in the right place. I had found my inner peace and happiness. This type of career doesn’t suit everyone. You need to be able to take risks, be flexible and tolerate uncertainty, Raila says.

Tell us about your daily work?

As a Head of Project Cell, my job is to coordinate all the Mission’s internally and externally funded projects. I oversee different phases of the project cycle and manage all the project budgets and contracts. I see myself as an enabler and coordinator between the Mission’s different units and departments as well as our national and international counterparts. My work tasks vary daily, and the work itself is very mobile in different locations in Baghdad. 

How do you find working with colleagues from many different backgrounds?

It’s extremely fascinating. I find it interesting to see that there are so many ways of approaching things. In my view, the results are better and more comprehensive when working in a multicultural team. We live in a confined space in Baghdad and that’s why good sense of humor, warmth and sympathy are so important among colleagues. We are like one big family. The only downside is that people rotate often, and you lose good colleagues on a regular basis but luckily the friendships remain.

What has been the most rewarding or memorable experience for you in the Mission so far?

The project on equipping the Female Training Institute in the Ministry of Interior was a unique experience. It was something concrete and I could see the impact immediately. It is extremely important that the Mission can contribute to and support in increasing the number of Iraqi female police officers and students. The project was implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I can’t thank our local partners enough who pulled everything together under very difficult circumstances. They were flexible and result oriented and I’m ever grateful to them. 

If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?

My home is where my heart is. I have always felt home in places I’ve lived or worked. I enjoy winter sports so I could see myself living in an arctic environment. Currently, my base is in Rovaniemi, Finland, the official town of Santa Claus on the arctic circle. On the other hand, I love the sun too, as some countries in Africa also fascinate me, such as Tanzania and Kenya. Then again, if I could choose, I would also be interested in working and living in Afghanistan in the future.

What is something your colleagues don’t know about you?

I worked as a media coordinator in the Eurovision song contest in 2007 when the event was organized in Helsinki. I was asked to imitate and perform as a ‘’singer’’ on the Eurovision contest stage for one day during the rehearsals before the delegations arrived on the scene. It was amazing to realize how much work and effort is being put into a huge internationally broadcasted show.

What was the last gift you gave someone?

I gave a princess-fairytale sticker book to my colleague’s daughter on her birthday.  She’s like a real Iraqi princess. 

What is your usual order at a restaurant?

I love Asian food and my favorite is Kung Pao chicken. 

How do you relax?

In a good company. I enjoy snowmobiling in Lapland, Finland and especially finishing the ride in front of an open fire. I also like to travel to paradise islands such as Mauritius or Zanzibar.