Vijay Kesari has over two decades of experience in forestry and climate change field working in Nepal, Fiji and Jordan. He has vast experience in managing climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable energy and energy efficiency, environment, biodiversity, disaster risk management projects. Strategic planning, designing new project and providing assurance to operate complex multicultural/multi country and multi donor projects and decision-making at critical situation are strength of Mr. Kesari.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-kesari-4b796a60/
Twitter: @vpkes
FB: https://www.facebook.com/vijay.p.kesari
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. After completion of PGDFM course in 2002, I changed my career path from Government to Non-Government sector. My aim was to work in UN agency. I started with a National NGO as a volunteer. Later I joined SNV (The Netherlands Development Organization). I entered in UNDP in year 2010 as Environment and Natural Resource Management Specialist. Then I joined UNDP Multi Country Office in Fiji in 2020 and currently I am working in UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab State (RBAS) based in Aman Jordan as Regional Climate and Energy Specialist. From the RBAS, we are supporting 22 Arab countries of Middle East and North Africa in the areas of Climate Mitigation and Adaptation.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. One of big milestone in my career was changing myself and adopting to the NGO culture. I learned a lot during my National NGO job period and then succussed to join SNV. But my aim was to join UN. I was always keen to learn and evolve myself as per the requirement. After working in the field of Sustainable Forestry and Biodiversity, I realized I need to strengthen my skill and knowledge in climate field. Then I joined a course in China on low carbon development and further enriched myself with online courses and training on climate adaptation and mitigation. So, the major learning is you need to update yourself based on the requirement and need of the market/world.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. I feel very satisfied when I successfully implement any project for the needy community and people.
Successful completion of Nepal Climate Change Support Programme in Nepal gave me a great feeling of accomplishment and joy. Likewise, Green energy production and energy efficiency project in Nauru, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and Federated State of Micronesia are most satisfying part of my career.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?\
A. IIFM gave me a broader perspective on development thoughts. I learned how to manage a sector. It strengthened my strategic thinking skill, project development and implementation, dealing with people of multi culture and most importantly how to independently work and develop our career path.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. Working with community and working for the needy people is the real driver of my career. The biggest influencing factor of me is learning from each event. I always try to improve the project and implementation approach based on my previous success and learning.
My advice to the freshers is to first identify the sector in your career and then work hard to be competent in your field.
Keep yourself always updated by learning, de-learning and re-learning approach.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. I had a great time at IIFM with our Class along with seniors and juniors. One of the favorite memories during my IIFM stay is succussed in the competition and going to CIFOR for conducting research on Dry Forest Management.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. It is fair to say that the way of teaching in IIFM influenced me a lot. IIFM as an ecosystem is a wonderful package of courses, faculty, library, friends, field visits and the research work.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. I honor all the faculties, however, I was very much influenced by the teaching style of Dr. Madhu Verma. I was very much lucky that Dr. Ram Prasad, IIFM Director, provided me the advisory and guidance on my 2nd research paper. Dr. Raghavan was my inspiration as he always kept my motivation level high.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. I love to paly badminton during the weekend. I also enjoy watching movie. Recently, I watched 12th Fail movie and I re-watched the movie with my family. I also spend time to study new publication/research on my subject area during the weekend.
