Impactpool Career Podcast

Thinking about a career move? Before you accept that offer, there's one question you should be asking: What does onboarding look like here?

In this episode, we meet with Meghan Parinussa, Director Customer Success at Appical about why onboarding isn't just something that happens TO you, it's a critical factor in YOUR success, job satisfaction, and decision to stay or leave.

In this podcast you will learn:
• Why those two months between accepting an offer and your first day are make-or-break
• The "soft things" that create security (or anxiety) on day one, from dress codes to parking to laptop setup
• What world-class onboarding actually looks like and what you should reasonably expect
• How to evaluate onboarding during your interview process
• The role your manager should play in your first 100 days
• Why cultural integration matters more than information overload

Whether you're actively job hunting or just curious about what separates great employers from mediocre ones, this conversation gives you the checklist to evaluate your next opportunity, and the confidence to expect better.

Because when onboarding is done right, it's not just about helping the organization succeed. It's about your own success, your sense of belonging, and actually having fun in your new job.

Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

How does a year in an Ethiopian village at age 22 shape a career leading international climate finance? In this episode, Satu Santala, Managing Director of the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), shares her unplanned journey from NGO work through diplomacy and the World Bank Board to her current role.

Discover what makes NDF unique in the climate finance landscape, how to build a meaningful career in development without having it all planned out, and what it's like to work at a small, impactful Nordic institution in Helsinki. Satu offers practical advice on embracing opportunities outside your job description, the importance of genuine partnerships, and why curiosity matters more than rigid career planning.

Whether you're exploring opportunities in climate finance or looking for career inspiration in the impact sector, this conversation offers valuable insights into building purpose-driven work in international development.

Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

As the UN marks 80 years of service, Liliana Nieves shares what it really takes to build effective humanitarian teams. From recruiting during a cholera outbreak in South Sudan to achieving gender parity at UN headquarters, she reveals:

✅ Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills
✅ How to tackle unconscious bias in hiring
✅ The direct link between strategic recruitment and mental health
✅ Why diversity isn't just nice to have—it's essential for effectiveness
✅ Real advice for breaking into humanitarian work

"We're not only hiring skills, but a team's culture and the capacity to manage pressure. Hiring the right person means selecting individuals who have the emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to work effectively in high-stress environments."

Whether you're considering humanitarian work or managing teams in challenging contexts, this conversation offers actionable insights on building teams that can handle the emotional demands of making a real difference.

Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

Join us for an insightful conversation with Yvonne Helle, former UNDP special representative and senior leader who climbed from entry-level P1 to D2 over 31 years in the UN system.

In this candid interview, Yvonne shares her experiences navigating some of the world's most challenging contexts—Haiti, Sudan, Palestine, and Syria—while offering practical career advice for international development professionals.

Key topics covered:

- Breaking the field-headquarters divide and why it matters for career growth
- Leadership lessons learned in crisis zones
- Navigating the P4-P5 transition and beyond
- Balancing senior leadership roles with family life as a woman
- The changing landscape of international development
- Essential networking strategies and career advancement tips

Why listen: Whether you're starting your career or aiming for senior leadership, Yvonne's combination of hard-won wisdom, honest reflections, and actionable advice provides invaluable insights for anyone working in—or considering—international development.

Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes

Think INTERPOL is just for cops chasing international criminals? Think again! Join us as we sit down with Danielle Garcia (Head of Talent Acquisition) and Magda Vigoureux (Assistant Director in Corporate Services) to reveal the surprising truth about careers at the world's largest international police organization.

Discover how professionals from 138 nationalities contribute to global safety through roles in IT, finance, HR, project management, and more – no badge required! From Lyon's exceptional quality of life to career paths spanning three continents, learn what really attracts top talent and how you can stand out in your application.

Whether you're just starting your career or looking for meaningful work with global impact, this episode demystifies INTERPOL and shows why your next career move could help make the world safer.

Music by Merlijn Angad Gaur / Musical Minutes