Defying Odds: Sierra Leonean Car Washer Becomes UN Field Staff Union President

Milan Victor Dawoh’s Remarkable Journey to UN Leadership

Milan Victor Dawoh, hailing from the Republic of Sierra Leone, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African to be elected as President of the United Nations Field Staff Union. His extraordinary journey, which began with washing UN cars as a struggling university dropout during Sierra Leone’s civil war, has now positioned him as a global leader within the United Nations.

Milan’s remarkable story started in 2001 when he joined UNAMSIL in Sierra Leone. Despite the fierce competition for UN positions, his dedication and outstanding work as a car washer caught the attention of Norris Jorsling, the Chief Transport Officer from Trinidad & Tobago, who recognized Milan’s exceptional intelligence.

A few months later, Milan seized an opportunity to become a Transport Dispatcher, marking the start of his official career with the UN. His performance led to further promotions, eventually taking him to Afghanistan as a UN Volunteer and later an appointment with UNOPS.

Milan’s journey continued as he assumed the role of Head of Transport Road Safety for the UN Mission in East Timor, a position he held from 2007 to 2012. During his tenure, Milan achieved a remarkable feat: not a single UN staff member or Peacekeeper lost their life due to road traffic accidents, a record still unmatched in UN Peacekeeping history. In 2008, he was elected as the Chairperson of the UN Field Staff Union.

In 2015, Milan was entrusted with establishing the Road Safety Unit in the Central African Republic, where he continued to serve as the Chairperson of the UN Field Staff Union. His resilience and dedication have inspired UN staff members worldwide, leading to his unanimous election to the executive office.

Milan’s humble beginnings in Bumbuna, one of Sierra Leone’s poorest villages, shaped his determination to succeed. He walked barefooted 26 kilometers daily from his mother’s village, Bassaia, to Bumbuna for schooling. His commitment to his roots led him to build a school in his village, ensuring that future generations would not face the hardships he endured.

Despite his disadvantaged background, Milan pursued education across four continents. He earned his Masters in Diplomacy and International Relations in Africa, completed postgraduate studies in Road Safety Engineering in Europe, obtained a bachelor’s degree in International Relations & Political Science in Australia with high distinction, and recently graduated from a leadership program at Harvard University. Fluent in six languages, Milan Dawoh’s career was built on merit and discipline.

A senior UN Official has already speculated that Milan Dawoh could potentially become the next UN Secretary General from Africa in 2038 when Africa assumes leadership at the United Nations, given his impressive track record and unanimous election to his current position.

Milan Dawoh will lead the United Nations Field Staff Union from 2023 to 2025 alongside Vice President Catherine Omondi from Kenya and Vice President Paul Smith from New Zealand. His election as the first African to head this prominent global union, along with his unopposed victory, cements Milan Dawoh as a source of immense pride for Sierra Leone and a significant presence on the UN world stage.