LocationsDesigning for Social Good: An Inside Look at Parppim’s Role as Policy Innovation Knowledge Management Specialist at Thailand Policy Lab, UNDP Thailand
July 16, 2024
1. Tell us about yourself: What’s your educational background/professional experience?
I have always been passionate about using design for social development. I earned my bachelor's degree in Architecture from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and later pursued a Master's in Design for Social Innovation from the School of Visual Arts in New York. During my studies, I gained experience working with grassroots innovations. After graduating, I worked at UNICEF NYHQ, where I deepened my understanding of how design can enhance social development initiatives and collaborating between designer and researchers. This experience sparked my interest in policy recommendations. Motivated by this, I pursued another Master's degree in International Development.
2. What made you apply to work with one of the Labs of UNDP Thailand?
Working at the Thailand Policy Lab is my dream workplace brought to life. It's a space where my diverse background and design skills can truly flourish. At TP Lab, we are dedicated to innovation and experimentation, aiming to transform the public policy process into one that is more engaging and human-centric. The Lab's objectives perfectly align with my passion and aspirations. Here, I have the opportunity to apply my design skills to create innovative solutions. I am particularly excited about learning how to transform grassroots innovations into policy innovations, and TP Lab provides the perfect environment for me to explore and contribute creatively.
3. What are your activities or main responsibilities? What is a day at the office like?
I’m a Policy Innovation Knowledge Management Specialist at the Thailand Policy Lab. My responsibilities include collecting insights, developing policy innovation tools, building a knowledge library, and overseeing social media and communication campaigns to promote our work and engage with the public.
A typical day at the office is always dynamic and never the same. Beyond checking emails, my team and I engage in a variety of tasks. These can range from structuring research designs, meeting with stakeholders, and designing and facilitating workshops, to creating engaging social media posts and selecting food for meetings that minimizes waste. All these amazing tasks ensure that we carefully consider both people and the planet.
4. Tell us about your favorite moment with UNDP Thailand.
One of my favorite moments with UNDP Thailand is when we embrace our inner SDGs nerds and laugh together with our geekiness. We're all about that "leave no one behind" motto and always approach things from a development perspective, which means we're always thinking about how to make things better for everyone. We often say we'll stop talking about work after hours, but somehow, we end up brainstorming ideas anyway—and I love it! Chatting about development issues and finding solutions might be tiring at times, but it's never boring. These conversations make me feel right at home, surrounded by awesome colleges who are passionate about making a positive impact.
5. Pick one innovation tool (thinking tool) you want to introduce to the public and tell us how it can help design solutions.
“Systems Map” A systems map is an excellent tool for understanding complex problems and designing effective solutions. It helps visualize the different components of a system, how they interconnect, and the relationships between them. By mapping out the system, we can identify key actors, their interactions, and the various factors that influence the problem at hand. With the visual representation, we can see the direction and options available to solve the problem. Additionally, we can identify leverage points within the system where interventions can have the most significant impact.
6. What piece of advice would you give to those who are considering applying to #JoinALifeChangingMission with UNDP.
Welcome to the safe space, geek hub and don’t take the job description too seriously! Be prepared for surprises because you'll have unexpected tasks to do, things to try, explore, and learn. These experiences are invaluable and once-in-a-lifetime.
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The Faces of UNDP Thailand is a series to echo the voice of UNDP staff who support UNDP and the community to advance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Give us 3 words that describe UNDP Thailand:Beyond – Job – DescriptionParppim Pimmaratana, Policy Innovation Knowledge Management Specialist