MEET OUR TEAM: “I have the pleasure of working with highly experienced professionals”

I am a project management professional with experience in international cooperation and humanitarian aid fields. For the last five years, I worked for an international consulting company based in Belgium on multiple projects in the MENA region, including Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Libya.  

My work was always remote from Brussels; therefore, I decided I wanted to live in one of the countries that I read and heard about from my colleagues. When I saw my current job advertised, I immediately thought that was the perfect opportunity for me, so I grabbed it.

Tell us about your daily work?

I work as a Project Management Officer within the Project Cell department at EUAM Iraq. My main role is to assist EUAM Iraq’s Senior Strategic Advisors in the coordination of various activities throughout the project cycle.  

I support the preparation of project concept notes, budgets, procurement documents, workshops/seminars, and other administrative documents to name a few.  

In the Project Cell, we act as facilitators between various units within the Mission. This enables me to interact with numerous colleagues daily. As a result, I am exposed to most of the cross-cutting elements of the Mission’s work.   

How do you find working with colleagues from different backgrounds? 

I very much enjoy working in a multicultural and socially diverse team. I have the pleasure of working with highly experienced professionals in their field. Learning drives me forward, and I learn every day from my colleagues’ professional and personal experiences.  

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

The fact of being here in the Mission is rewarding itself. Moving to Baghdad was a big change for me. My life has completely changed from how it used to live in Brussels over the past five years. I took this change as a personal challenge as well as an opportunity to create new connections and positive habits.       

What do you enjoy the most with Iraqi people and culture?  

Iraq is a very culturally rich country with a complex history. I try to learn about it as much as possible, mainly from my Iraqi colleagues. I appreciate the Iraqis’ commitment to family values, even centering their daily lives around their extended family. Many important Iraqi traditions and rituals are linked to sharing a moment with your closest ones. I think it is an honor to be invited for a dinner in an Iraqi home. Moreover, the food is great here!  

If you could live anywhere, where would you choose to be?  

I don’t have just only one place where I would like to live. I am fascinated by discovering new places, talking with locals, and learning about their culture. After Iraq, I would like to move somewhere even further away from Europe, for example, to Asia or Africa, very different from what I used to know so far.  

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

I think I am an open book, so even if there is something that they don’t know, it is only a matter of time before they will. As a child I was an absolute introvert, afraid of talking to anyone (which is quite the opposite today). My dream job was to become a journalist and cover the most exciting real-time stories on the ground. Although I have not become a journalist, I have not lost my curiosity and I do very much enjoy what I am currently doing professionally and personally.   

What is your usual order at a restaurant? 

When I am back in Lithuania, my home country, I always order cold beetroot soup (‘Šaltibarščiai‘). It is one of those meals that you can find only in Lithuania. Otherwise, I like most of the meals that include green curry, coconut, chickpeas, or eggplant. Thus, Asian cuisine is one of my favorites. As for desserts, French lemon pie (‘Tarte au citron’) is on top of my list.  

How do you relax? 

I grew up surrounded by nature, close to Lithuanian forests, rivers, and lakes. I feel I can recharge my energy while outdoors. I like hiking, cycling, kayaking, and picnics. Even better, if it’s in nice company, being able to share a deep conversation.