Jessie Skola, Secutity Officer, Vienna

After serving as a police officer in Vienna for ten years, I was seconded to Kosovo where I later applied to join UNDSS.  On joining the Department in Vienna as a security officer, the opportunity immediately exposed me to new avenues such as dealing with diplomats and diverse cultures which was a dream come true for me. However, from a personal perspective, I was living separate lives. At the workplace, I presented myself as a male while in my personal life I lived as a female. The juggling act was difficult since I was unsure of how my family and employer would react to my identity. Eventually, I told my mother about my gender identity, and she was very supportive. However, I did not know how to break the news at the workplace. 

As fate would have it, a colleague came across my social media account where I presented as female. News spread among colleagues and surprisingly the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. This was my turning point, I resolved to live as a female after seventeen years at the United Nations Office at Vienna. I also took the opportunity to debunk myths about transgender people such as being gay. 

A major factor in joining the UN was my desire to work somewhere that positively transforms the world. It’s been very interesting to see behind the curtain of such a big organization – in fact, I would go further and say it’s been incredibly exciting.    

More importantly, from a personal take, this is the perfect environment for a transgender person. I don’t believe I would have transitioned so easily anywhere else. Everybody here has been incredibly supportive and helpful at every step. I had a direct conversation with the chief in New York, who was extremely encouraging and assured me of all the necessary backing.    

If you are keen to work in an international environment where nobody judges you, this is the place to do it. There’s nothing to fear, I have found true satisfaction here.