My Sri Lanka Journey

My Sri Lanka journey started in March 2010 - whilst I was working with the ADB in North Block, I was offered an assignment with UNOPS (United Nations Operations for Project Services) somewhere around October 2009. Negotiations with UNOPS team with respect to my duration, salary etc were being done through the winter of 2009. A formal invitation in writing came from the UNOPS around middle January 2010 when the UNOPS office opened after Christmas vacations.

Then things started to play out rather quickly when the administrative office in Colombo geared up for the formal recruitment process. I had to go through the UN formalities on on international recruitment which, I daresay, were many. It began with a couple of online tests on safety and security in the field. It began with several training modules that one had to follow carefully and answer correctly the multiple answer questions posed after each module. If a majority of your answers were deemed correct the software allowed you to jump to the next training module. They were two categories of Security Test- a beginners version and an advanced version. After successfully completing all the modules in the Security Test a formal certificate could be printed or saved in the computer to be forwarded as an evidence of your ability to qualify.

Apart from security tests there were other documentation that were necessary to be complied with such as a formal history of experience, bank particulars, dependant particulars, residential status, work permit visa and so on. As most formalities were completed, the formal "letter of offer" was given to me by UNOPS. The contract period was for six months starting March 2010 - precisely March 10 till October 10, 2010.