Oliver Vick, UNSOM Crisis Management Secretariat
Oliver (“Olly”) was born a Briton but he was a true citizen of the world. Olly left his mark on the people and places he encountered including during numerous assignments working for international organizations. Olly spent much of his career working for the United Nations, and the UN family in Somalia will remember Olly for his warm and open approach to all he met, his commitment and professionalism, and his optimism for the future of Somalia.
Oliver’s career reflected his global outlook. He lived and worked in East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nepal, Liberia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, Kosovo, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand and Somalia. Olly’s work included a wide range of assignments from political analysis, to supporting countries emerging from conflict to hold elections, and crisis management. His role in Somalia covered the breadth of United Nations support, coordinating political, security and humanitarian reporting and managing UNSOM’s Crisis Management Secretariat.
As well as handling a demanding role, Olly played an active role in the Staff Welfare Committee and provided support and friendship to many. He mobilized groups to conduct beach clean ups, social gatherings, and sporting events and he was a keen runner. In his time in Somalia he made a huge impact on a wide variety of people, and his positive spirit and enormous contribution to the life and work of the UN family in Somalia will be remembered.
Oliver was a talented and passionate international civil servant whose sense of humanity and desire to transcend boundaries embodied the values of the United Nations across the world.
Biographical information and photo provided by UNSOM.