Dutch Diplomat and Former Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York

Yoka Brandt

Dutch Diplomat and Former Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York

“It’s not a problem to fail, it’s a problem to not know because you haven’t tried.”

Meet Yoka

• Fueled by early curiosity about injustice and a drive to turn understanding into action.
• Built a global career spanning NGOs, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and senior UN roles, including Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and Permanent Representative to the UN.
• Sees herself as a practitioner focused on steady impact, always aiming “to move the needle, even if just a tiny bit.”

Read on to find out everything!

Sector

Working in Civil Service and International Diplomacy

• Why this path? Yoka’s path into international diplomacy and development began early. As a child, she was curious about why injustice and unequal opportunities existed around the world. That curiosity led her to study geography related to developing countries, development economics, and international politics, laying the foundation for a lifelong focus on global fairness.
• A turning point came during her thesis fieldwork in rural western Kenya. Seeing local realities firsthand, she realised that her future would not be as a researcher but more as a practitioner – focusing on how concrete action can turn into making a difference where it matters most: on the ground. She went on to do exactly that.
• Yoka began her career in NGOs, connecting directly with communities. She later joined the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations, serving in senior roles at UNICEF and as the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ Permanent Representative to the UN in New York. She also served as ambassador to Uganda and Eritrea, and Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry. Today, she remains involved as an advisor to the UN Secretary General on peacebuilding, through volunteer work, and as chair of the advisory board at The Hague Humanity Hub.
• What she values most is the plurality of perspectives, working across institutions and seeing issues from many angles. This proved to be particularly important in the field of multilateral negotiations. In an increasingly polarised world, global negotiations became more complex, particularly around gender, diversity, etc. She also navigated internal politics, especially at higher levels of government.
• Through it all, her focus remained on making a difference – linking local realities with global policies. She often pursued small steps, searching for “common ground somewhere.” That steady progress, multiplied globally, drives lasting change. Her guiding principle: be useful, contribute, and make a difference.
• What’s in the Sector’s Future? Today’s world is a complex place, and Joke talks about it with both concern and hope. She’s worried about how many leaders seem to prefer doing it alone rather than working together through international cooperation. This is particularly concerning at a time when global crises call for us to work together more than ever.
• But despite all this, she remains positive. “I am an optimist by nature,” she shares. She sees small signs of progress, like the Pact for the Future (2024) she contributed to while working in New York, which shows people still believe in working together despite differences. Still, she argues that for international institutions to stay relevant they will have to reform to better reflect the world of today, and we all need to reset how we approach problems and how we can best work together.
• Even with big ideas for reform, she emphasises that supporting people on the ground remains essential, especially where diplomacy doesn’t reach. For young professionals stepping into this field, Joke sees hope. She admires the energy and fresh ideas of the new generation: people who aren’t afraid of change.

Skills

Want to find out how Yoka succeeded in her career? 

• Yoka is clear about what helps people thrive in this field. Patience is key, especially in negotiations involving many actors. She stresses the value of listening and that of “really trying to get the other person’s point of view,” and reminds us not to “mix the position with the people”. Open communication and strong partnerships are essential to moving things forward. Practical skills matter too: being well prepared, chairing with clarity, and maintaining control of the agenda.
• She encourages young professionals to manage expectations, “especially your own”, as outcomes are rarely perfect. “It’s almost always a compromise,” she says, and learning to accept that is part of the work.
• Strategic perspective also counts. Working across different organizations lets you see issues “from very different perspectives, but with your own lens and your own approach.” Even when positions are far apart, the goal is to find “common ground somewhere, that makes you move the needle, even if it’s just one millimeter.” Small steps, repeated, still bring change.
• But above all, she urges authenticity. “Pretending to be someone else? That’s extremely tiresome”. Key qualities include active curiosity and being “always willing to find out, to explore.” She encourages stepping outside your comfort zone, not fearing failure.

“It’s not a problem to fail, it’s a problem to not know because you haven’t tried.” 

Advice & Tips

• Her advice is simple but meaningful: keep contributing, no matter how small your effort might seem. All those small contributions add up. Gaining real experience is also important – not just to boost your resume, but to discover where you truly fit and to speak with genuine insight.
• Networking isn’t just about landing a job; it’s about understanding how different organisations operate. Her main message? Persistence. “Most importantly, just keep going. Do not give up,” she says. Instead, she urges everyone to challenge themselves, take risks, and be brave enough to fail sometimes.
• Lastly, her biggest tip is to stay curious. Always be eager to learn, explore, and find out new things. That’s what keeps her grounded, motivated, and inspired.

• Curriculum Vitae

  Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, [2020-2024]

  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Secretary General, [2016-2020]

  UNICEF, Deputy Executive Director for Partnership (ASG Level), [2012-2016]

  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Director General for International Cooperation, [2008-2012]

  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Deputy Director General for International Cooperation, [2007-2008]

  Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, Ambassador, [2004-2007]

  Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Eritrea, Ambassador, [2000-2004]

  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Various positions, [1985-2000]

Yoka’s Connection to the Hub

• Joke is the chair of The Hague Humanity Hub’s supervisory board, overseeing the organisation’s strategic direction, accountability, and integrity.