Interview new ED Annemiek Jenniskens
You have only recently started, what is your first impression of Women for Water Partnership (WfWP)?
Yes, I started on the 2nd of June and received a warm welcome of the staff and members of the Steering Committee. I immediately dived into ongoing matters because WfWP has some huge events on the agenda such as a Gender Water Development Conference in South Africa early July. I am very impressed by the commitment and energy of board and staff members.
Could you tell us about your background?
After graduating, I started to work at the department of Women’s Studies at the University of Wageningen. It was early eighties and Women’s studies was an entirely new venture. My next job was at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, where I was responsible for public campaigns about Women’s Affairs. It was really interesting because of the wide variety in subjects such as equal rights and equal pay, sexual violence against women and affirmative action and the wide variety in organisations I worked with. I learnt a lot during the 5 years I spent at the Ministry.
Since I was born in Malawi, I always dreamt about working in developing countries. At the end of the eighties SNV/Netherlands Development Organisation gave me the opportunity. I worked there for 24 years and started as a volunteer for the Association of Women’s Club in Zimbabwe. Later on I worked in Benin as a programme director amongst others managing water, sanitation and hygiene projects. During the last eight years. I was one of the executive directors based in the Netherlands. It was a very interesting journey and I witnessed a lot of changes in the sector especially in terms of growth in capacity in developing countries. As a consequence SNV had to adjust itself to these external dynamics and I lead many challenging change processes during the last decade.
Last year I organised a conference about Integrity in the Water Sector on behalf of the Water Integrity Network and UNESCO-IHE and now I am here at WfWP to face a new challenge
Why were you inspired to work at WfWP?
I am inspired by the objectives of WfWP: to advocate for positioning women as professionals and leaders in governance processes in the water sector, ultimately to achieve equal access to water for all uses and managed in a sustainable way.
Please express what you believe will be your main strength for WfWP?
My main strength is that I have gained a lot of wisdom during my life and career, which I can use in WfWP. I like to work in a dynamic organisation, I find it important that team members are able to use their capabilities optimally and able to learn on the job, I love to relate to people of all walks of life and build fruitful relationships, which is practical for establishing and maintaining partnerships, fundraising and lobby.
What has been the largest challenge in your career? And how did you anticipate?
There were too many challenges and each one had its own dynamics. You must prepare yourself well, however things are always different as anticipated or planned. I find it important to keep my eyes and mind open for the unexpected without losing focus on the objectives or results you intend to achieve. Having one or more sparing partners helps me to meet a challenge.
The upcoming GA and GWD Conference in East London, South Africa is the perfect opportunity to meet all member organisations and dive right into the organisations core and her strategic plans/ visions. What do you expect from the week?
Lots of encounters with interesting people, l expect a steep learning curve about what is going on in WfWP and what the expectations are in terms of services of the secretariat. During the Gender Water Conference I get the opportunity to connect to allies interested in the field of “women and water” and learn more about the contents. I am very excited to go to South Africa!
You have only recently started, what is your first impression of Women for Water Partnership (WfWP)?
Yes, I started on the 2nd of June and received a warm welcome of the staff and members of the Steering Committee. I immediately dived into ongoing matters because WfWP has some huge events on the agenda such as a Gender Water Development Conference in South Africa early July. I am very impressed by the commitment and energy of board and staff members.
Could you tell us about your background?
After graduating, I started to work at the department of Women’s Studies at the University of Wageningen. It was early eighties and Women’s studies was an entirely new venture. My next job was at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, where I was responsible for public campaigns about Women’s Affairs. It was really interesting because of the wide variety in subjects such as equal rights and equal pay, sexual violence against women and affirmative action and the wide variety in organisations I worked with. I learnt a lot during the 5 years I spent at the Ministry.
Since I was born in Malawi, I always dreamt about working in developing countries. At the end of the eighties SNV/Netherlands Development Organisation gave me the opportunity. I worked there for 24 years and started as a volunteer for the Association of Women’s Club in Zimbabwe. Later on I worked in Benin as a programme director amongst others managing water, sanitation and hygiene projects. During the last eight years. I was one of the executive directors based in the Netherlands. It was a very interesting journey and I witnessed a lot of changes in the sector especially in terms of growth in capacity in developing countries. As a consequence SNV had to adjust itself to these external dynamics and I lead many challenging change processes during the last decade.
Last year I organised a conference about Integrity in the Water Sector on behalf of the Water Integrity Network and UNESCO-IHE and now I am here at WfWP to face a new challenge
Why were you inspired to work at WfWP?
I am inspired by the objectives of WfWP: to advocate for positioning women as professionals and leaders in governance processes in the water sector, ultimately to achieve equal access to water for all uses and managed in a sustainable way.
Please express what you believe will be your main strength for WfWP?
My main strength is that I have gained a lot of wisdom during my life and career, which I can use in WfWP. I like to work in a dynamic organisation, I find it important that team members are able to use their capabilities optimally and able to learn on the job, I love to relate to people of all walks of life and build fruitful relationships, which is practical for establishing and maintaining partnerships, fundraising and lobby.
What has been the largest challenge in your career? And how did you anticipate?
There were too many challenges and each one had its own dynamics. You must prepare yourself well, however things are always different as anticipated or planned. I find it important to keep my eyes and mind open for the unexpected without losing focus on the objectives or results you intend to achieve. Having one or more sparing partners helps me to meet a challenge.
The upcoming GA and GWD Conference in East London, South Africa is the perfect opportunity to meet all member organisations and dive right into the organisations core and her strategic plans/ visions. What do you expect from the week?
Lots of encounters with interesting people, l expect a steep learning curve about what is going on in WfWP and what the expectations are in terms of services of the secretariat. During the Gender Water Conference I get the opportunity to connect to allies interested in the field of “women and water” and learn more about the contents. I am very excited to go to South Africa!
