Read about Anais Hotin

What brought you to a career in technology at the United Nations?

I have decided to work at the UN because I wanted to have a positive and visible impact on people's lives. I have always been scandalized by injustice and inequalities around the world. I always looked for ways to address this, reduce the inequality gap. I first started my career as a journalist which was a way for me to raise awareness among the public on these injustices and inequalities so that they can make informed decisions in their daily lives. I went on to work for the UN because I felt the work done by our colleagues around the world is meaningful, positive-driven, improves people's living conditions and contributes to a better and fairer world.

What has been your favorite technology project or initiative at the United Nations and why? What was your contribution?

My favorite technological project is the launch of an alert management platform managed by the Information Management section of the office. The purpose of the platform is to report alerts and manage functionalities related to humanitarian needs and responses. As a Communication Officer, I had to proofread the interface and the different pages of the platform, to make edits and suggestions to facilitate the navigation and the user experience. I think this is a good example where technology is strategically used to benefit humanitarian operations and vulnerable people. The platform also enables users to follow up on alerts and make informed, fact-based decisions more quickly and therefore implement more effective humanitarian responses.

For example, how to guide them in securing their data against intrusions and help them navigate safely in the computer field.

What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a field in technology?

I would tell her not to be afraid to be curious about new technologies and to look at it as problem solvers. It may seem intimidating at first, but it is often a matter of getting started. You rapidly get your head around new technologies, and it becomes easier to use it.