Magdalena is from the Czech Republic, and this is her first deployment to a CSDP mission, but she is no stranger to the country, having worked in Côte d’Ivoire for several years, primarily in the security and crisis management sectors. She has also been an active supporter of the local association of security experts, GRSCI.

Magdalena's professional journey is marked by significant field experience, particularly from numerous election observation missions for the EU in various countries in Africa and Asia. Her career began at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and she has also worked for the UN World Food Programme in Rome.

The Initiative, with its new mission format and innovative approach, requires strong coordination skills. In her new role, Magdalena will collaborate closely with Ivorian security forces to enhance their security and defence capabilities. This involves coordinating with a wide range of stakeholders to identify specific needs and propose tailored training programs and projects that align with the partners' requests.

One of her immediate tasks is to prepare for the arrival of five European experts who will be training the Ivorian Gendarmerie for an initial three-month period. Since her arrival, she has been diligently preparing for their deployment and facilitating communication between the experts and the Gendarmerie.

The role of a civilian crisis management advisor is multifaceted and can be challenging, as it requires operating autonomously with primary support from the team based in Brussels. Magdalena's familiarity with the local environment has been invaluable, allowing her to hit the ground running and navigate potential obstacles with patience and resilience.

Both, women and men, civilian and military, can bring their insight and experience.

Magdalena is a strong advocate for diversity in the security and crisis management field. “I am persuaded that both, women and men, civilian and military, can bring their insight and experience.” 

Often I felt it was very much a male environment.

She reflects on her early experiences, noting that the sector was often dominated by men. “When I got interested in crisis management and security, often I felt it was very much a male environment, and to get a job, some employers required a military or police background, which I don’t have.”

However, she recalls a pivotal moment during an interview with a security company director who emphasised the value of diverse experiences and backgrounds in creating a more efficient and effective team.

The new model of the EUSDI GoG initiative integrates both military and civilian pillars, and in Côte d'Ivoire, Magdalena and her military colleague, Hans from the Netherlands, are demonstrating how this collaboration can benefit local partners. Their work is a testament to the idea that a diverse team, combining different perspectives and expertise, can achieve more effective and sustainable outcomes in crisis management and security.