Erika VAN IJKEN is a Planning and Evaluation Officer from the Netherlands. With a background in finance, procurement, and police work, she now connects strategy to impact at EUAM Iraq, supporting planning, monitoring, and cross-team coordination to ensure meaningful results.
Briefly describe your career and tell us why you applied for a position with EUAM Iraq.
From Finance to Procurement to Peacebuilding
My career didn’t begin in law enforcement; I joined the Dutch Police in March 2018 as a project manager in the procurement department. Before that, I worked in the financial and commercial sectors, which took me to some truly amazing places around the world. While I’ve always enjoyed working internationally, being part of a CSDP mission here in Iraq is a whole new chapter, one that’s both professionally enriching and personally meaningful. The opportunity to contribute to the mission, collaborate with diverse teams, and grow through unique challenges is something I really value.
Tell us about your daily work.
As a Planning and Evaluation Officer, my role is all about connecting the dots between strategy and impact. Each day brings a mix of structured analysis and dynamic collaboration. Here's a glimpse into what I do:
Strategic Planning: I help translate mission mandates into actionable plans, ensuring our activities align with EU objectives and local needs. This includes supporting the drafts of operational plans, mission goals and working on realistic indicators.
Monitoring & Evaluation: On monitoring and evaluation, I track progress against our goals, collect data from across the mission, and assess what’s working and what’s not. This helps us stay accountable, learn from experience, and continuously improve.
Cross-Team Coordination: I work closely with colleagues from all operational units to ensure our planning and reporting reflect the full picture. It’s a role that requires both attention to detail and a big-picture mindset.
How do you find working with colleagues from many different backgrounds?
One of my favourite quotes is by Emmanuel Levinas: “The most real thing in life is the meeting of the other.”Levinas believed that ethics begins with the face-to-face encounter, not just seeing someone’s physical appearance, but recognizing their vulnerability, humanity, and intrinsic worth. For me, this idea resonates. When we truly see the other, we are called to responsibility and empathy. This perspective has made working in a multicultural environment especially meaningful. Meeting and collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds has been one of the most enriching parts of my journey. I’ve also found it incredibly rewarding to work closely with local staff and to learn more about Iraqi culture, an experience that continues to broaden my understanding and appreciation of the world.
What has been the most rewarding or memorable experience for you on the Mission so far?
One of the most rewarding aspects of this mission has been the opportunity to work closely with colleagues from such diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. But as I just started the mission, I probably will gain more memorable experiences. One thing already stands out: the long drive through the countryside in Iraq! Being almost full time in the compound, it was nice to see a glimpse more of this amazing country.
If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?
I’ve had the chance to live in Asia for a while, and I absolutely loved it! Such a vibrant and fascinating continent. If I had to choose, I’d probably go back there… or maybe back to Australia, which instantly felt like home the moment I arrived. Honestly, it’s hard to pick just one place! That said, I’m also very happy in the Netherlands. I feel incredibly fortunate to be the caretaker of a beautiful house built in 1928, located in Zwolle, a true gem that I hope to maintain and enjoy for many years to come.
How do you relax?
After a workday, I really need to move, whether it’s teaching or joining a yoga class, going to the gym, doing circuit training, or swimming. Staying active helps me recharge. Once I’ve had my dose of exercise, I love winding down with a good book, a TV series, or working on a jigsaw puzzle. It’s all about finding that balance between movement and relaxation.