MEET OUR TEAM: "My work and the people I’ve met have profoundly enriched me".
Robert Knight joined EUAM Iraq from Germany. He has a private-sector background with nearly twenty-five years of experience in Human Resources Management (HRM) in international companies as well as an independent advisor and consultant.
Although he previously had never worked in international humanitarian or diplomatic missions, Robert embraced the opportunity to serve as an advisor with EUAM Iraq, seeing it as a unique chance to put his skills and expertise in service of supporting security and stability in the country.
Tell us about your daily work?
As a Senior Strategic Advisor on Human Resources Management, my work entails advising and consulting counterparts in Iraqi ministries and government agencies on Strategic HRM to support security sector reform. For example, I support senior leaders in developing HRM strategies and policies and conduct workshops to enhance the skills of officials.
I also liaise with international agencies to co-coordinate overlapping advisory efforts.
“All in all, my life and work in the Mission challenge me on many levels, pushing me out of my comfort zone. Yet these experiences have made me more resilient, and my perspective on the world has widened. I find a deep sense of purpose in my work, and the people I’ve met here have profoundly enriched me.”
How do you find working with colleagues from many different backgrounds?
Living and working with people from very diverse backgrounds has been a very rewarding experience. I have found it especially fulfilling working closely with local staff and learning about Iraqi culture. I’m also taking the opportunity to learn Arabic, and it’s fun practicing with native speakers.
What has been the most rewarding or memorable experience for you in the Mission so far?
I recently facilitated a capacity-building workshop for human resources planners within an Iraqi government ministry. Whereas Iraqis are accustomed to frontal, more traditional training methods in workshops, I offered interactive collaborative exercises designed to foster communication and cross-departmental cooperation.
The Iraqi participants were so engaged with the learning process, that they even requested postponing the lunch break to remain in the flow of the exercises. The enthusiasm I saw amongst the participants and their positive feedback afterwards confirmed the value of the work I perform.
If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?
My home is Berlin, and I can’t really imagine living anywhere else at the moment. However, sometimes life has its own plans, and that could take me somewhere else interesting and exciting.
What is something your colleagues don’t know about you?
I initially began my university studies in music and was trained as an organist. (Un)fortunately, my interest in music was greater than my talent, so I didn’t complete my conservatory studies. Had I become a musician, I would not have pursued my corporate career, which ultimately lead to me joining the Mission. So, all is well!
What is your usual order at a restaurant?
I tend to order vegetarian dishes when I eat out. However, I can’t pass on the Geschnetzeltes vom Kalb mit Spätzle (veal strips in mushroom sauce with Swabian noodles) – a typical Southern German dish – when I find it on the menu.
How do you relax?
I enjoy running, hiking and cycling. In the Mission, I attend CrossFit and yoga classes to keep fit. On my days off I enjoy reading, keeping in contact with friends and family, or having nice chats with Mission colleagues over tea or strolling in the Mission compound garden.