Our Team in The Gambia

Dr. Desta Tiruneh is a national of Ethiopia who took up his duty as the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in The Gambia in September 2017. He joined the WHO in 2001 and served as an advisor in immunization programs as well as in the prevention, control, elimination, and eradication of communicable and non-communicable diseases/conditions for more than 17 years. Prior to joining WHO, he started his professional career as a medical doctor, served as an assistant professor in a medical school, and held various positions in managing health programs and offices at district, regional and national levels. He earned his MD and MPH degrees from the University of Addis Ababa. Dr. Tiruneh is a national of Ethiopia. He is married and has two daughters.

Miranda comes to the WFP Gambia office with several years of work experience in the private sector and in the UN. She worked with UNICEF prior to joining WFP in 1997. Most recent assignments include working as Deputy Country Director in Burkina Faso and Regional Programme Adviser in Regional Bureau Senegal. She has also worked in Mauritania, Central Africa Republic, Burundi, and Cameroon, partnering with national Government authorities, development partners, and local communities to ensure the effective delivery of WF programmes and to advocate for hunger solutions and improved development outcomes for nutrition and food security.

Miranda is a holder of a Master's degree (M.Sc. Econ) in Sea-Use Law, Economics, and policy-making from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of London.

Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba is the UNOPS Director/Representative | Africa Region| Ghana Multi-Country Office overseeing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

George Is the Senior Development Coordination Officer & Team Leader Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator

Mr. Andrea Ori is the West Africa Representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, since 2013.
With more than 20 years of experience in the field of human rights in Africa and the Middle East, he has held senior positions within the UN. Before joining Dakar, he was the regional representative for North Africa of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in Tunis.
The Regional Office for West Africa of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity in charge of the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Operational since September 2008, the office is based in Dakar, Senegal.

Baboucarr Sallah is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in international trade, project management (Prince2 Certified), finance, economics, and volunteer work. Currently serving as the Country Representative (ad interim) for the International Trade Centre (ITC) in The Gambia, Baboucarr plays a pivotal role in contributing to the overall work of ITC in focusing on developing the competitiveness and export capabilities of small and medium sized businesses in The Gambia.
As the Technical Advisor and Operations Officer at ITC since 2017, Baboucarr has demonstrated exceptional project management skills by overseeing multiple initiatives, including those funded by the UN Peace Building Fund and the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund. These projects focus on holistic reintegration, climate conflict mitigation, and strengthening national infrastructure for peace in The Gambia. Baboucarr excels in project design, development, and implementation, donor engagement, and stakeholder relationship management, while also contributing to research and policy development.
Prior to being Technical Advisor and ITC Representative (a.i) in The Gambia, Baboucarr has held key roles, including Operations and Finance Officer at ITC Gambia Office and Senior Labour Economist at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment in The Gambia. In these capacities, Baboucarr demonstrated expertise in data collection, policy analysis, and committee leadership.
With a background in banking, Baboucarr also served as Head of the Treasury Unit at Skye Bank Gambia Ltd, engaging in bond and foreign exchange trading and liquidity management. As a Business Development Officer at the same bank, Baboucarr excelled in relationship management and credit management.
Baboucarr Sallah holds a Master of Science (MSc) in International Finance and Economic Development from Heriot Watt University in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics and Finance from the University of The Gambia.
With a solid academic foundation, extensive professional experience, and a history of community engagement, Baboucarr stands as a dedicated and accomplished individual in the fields of international trade, development economics, and finance.

Since 2006, Mr. Murwisi has served with IOM in humanitarian, transition and development contexts in Africa, Europe,
Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

Prior to moving to The Gambia, Mr. Murwisi was Head of Programme Support with the IOM Country Office for Australia with Coordinating Functions for the Pacific where he led programmes to address migration in the context of the climate crisis, labour migration, immigration and border governance.

Mr. Murwisi was part of the Programme Management Team that developed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027) under the 3 UN Multi country offices covering 14 Pacific Island countries and territories.

From 2016 to 2018, he worked as a Programme Manager in IOM's Syria Refugee crisis response in Southeast Turkey, having served as Grants Manager with IOM in Afghanistan in 2015. He started his humanitarian and development career in Zimbabwe in 2003, working with civil society organisations and the UN agencies.

Mr. Murwisi holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Meteorology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Crop Science from University of Zimbabwe; and a Bachelors Public Administration (Honours) Degree from University of Stellenbosch. He has a certificate in Business, International Relations and the Political Economy from London School of Economics and Political
Science and a certificate in Strategic Frameworks for Non-profit Organizations from Harvard Kennedy School.

Mr. Patrick Gitton, a National from France, has been Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund since October 2008, working on economic and financial policies of various countries across several Departments at the IMF. His current position is the third as IMF Resident Representative, after North Macedonia and Guinea-Bissau.

Before joining the Fund staff, Mr. Gitton served at the Treasury Department of the French Ministry of Finance, as Deputy Head of Division (2006-2008). His previous Fund experience was as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director for France at the IMF and the World Bank Boards of Directors (2002-2005).

Mr. Gitton began his professional career with eight years on the staff of the French Central Bank working successively for the Banking Supervision Authority and the Economics and International Relations Department. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Finance from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.

A French national, Mr. Christophe Yvetot, is the UNIDO Representative for Cabo-Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and The Gambia, with residence in Dakar, Senegal since 2018. Before his appointment, he served as UNIDO Representative to the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the ACP Secretariat, Belgium and Luxembourg, based in Brussels. Mr. Christophe YVETOT joined UNIDO in 2004 as Strategic Donor Relations Officer. He has also worked in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as Policy Officer in the Office of the Director General. in charge of interagency cooperation, development and research partnerships with the private sector. He holds a BA in Law, a Degree in Tax and Business Law and two Masters in “International Development Law” and “Enterprises and Developing Countries, legal and financial approach”. He has contributed enormously to international conferences and workshops as moderator and speaker and to international reports and publications.

Feyi Boroffice is the Resident Representative of the World Bank to The Gambia responsible for engaging and managing policy dialogue with the Government. She joined the World Bank in 2010 leading projects in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Prior to this appointment, she was a Senior Private Sector Specialist at the World Bank office in Nigeria and served as the Focal Point for the Finance Competitiveness and Innovation Global Practice. Feyi spent a decade in the private sector working for global organizations including Ernst & Young where she supervised audit projects, and Exxon Mobil where she worked in the company’s Treasurer’s division on mergers and acquisitions, pension fund management and investment projects. She also has experience as an entrepreneur as founder of 2Hats Network, a leadership development company for professional women with multinational clients including Accenture, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Citibank, and ING. Feyi obtained her MBA from Harvard Business School, obtained her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Boston University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the United States.

Ms. Mandisa Mashologu, a national of Lesotho, is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to the Republic of The Gambia. Most recently she served as UNDP Deputy Resident Representative – Programmes, Kenya since August 2019.

Ms. Mashologu has more than 20 years’ experience in international development, holding progressively senior roles in the private sector and with UNDP. Over the course of her career she has provided strategic policy and technical advisory services, designed integrated development programmes, and championed key interventions most notably in inclusive growth, governance, poverty reduction, and HIV and AIDS.

Within UNDP, she has served in various capacities including Country Director in Zambia (2017-2019), Deputy Country Director – Programmes in Nigeria (2015 - 2017) and the same position in Tanzania (2013 - 2014), as well as Team Leader – Poverty Reduction and MDGs in Southern Sudan/South Sudan (2009 - 2012). She has supported regional programming in Africa while based at the Regional Service Centre for Africa in Ethiopia (2014) and served as Country Programme Advisor at the Regional Bureau for Africa in New York, USA (2019).

Her first role within the United Nations was as a national officer serving as UNDP’s Senior Policy Advisor/Team Leader – Poverty Reduction and MDGs in Lesotho (2002 - 2006).

Ms. Mashologu worked in the private sector as an Enterprise Development Specialist in South Africa (2006-2009), where she managed business linkages programmes across various Sub-Saharan African countries. Prior to joining UNDP, Ms. Mashologu worked as an Economist within her home country serving in a range of roles with the Highlands Development Authority and the Tourist Board from 1996 -2002 respectively.

Ms. Mashologu holds an MA in Economics from Lakehead University in Canada, and a BA (Hons) in Economics from Trent University in Canada.

Ms Moshibudi Rampedi is the Representative of FAO in the Republic of Gambia since 1 September 2019. Before joining FAO, Ms Rampedi, a national of South Africa, served as Chief Executive Officer at the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Ms Rampedi joined the public service in 1985. She was appointed Deputy Director-General (DDG) of Forestry in the National Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in 2006. From 2009, she served as the DDG Forestry and Natural Resources Management in the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In 2012, she joined the South African Embassy in Rome as Counsellor Agricultural Affairs and Permanent Representative to the Rome-based UN Agencies. She holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of South Africa; a Master of Science in Ecology from the University of Wales, UK; and a Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Botany from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa.

Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique is the Country Representative of UNICEF The Gambia.

Prior to joining UNICEF The Gambia Country Office on December 01 2023, Ms. Shafique served as UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bihar, India from December 2020 to November 2023. Before that, she had also served as UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Homs and Hama, Syria from 2016-2018 and UNICEF Deputy Representative in Sudan (2018-2020) and Azerbaijan (2014-2016).

Ms. Shafique has a long experience of working in the humanitarian and development sector. She started her UNICEF career as a national officer in Bangladesh 20 years ago and has since served the organization in different capacities, including as Chief of HIV and AIDS section in Kathmandu, Nepal, Chief of Adolescent Development and Participation in Kathmandu, Nepal, Head of Adolescent HIV Prevention in Lesotho, and Child Protection Officer (Adolescent Development) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

She has also worked in other organizations, including UNFPA, Expressions Ltd. (a leading social communication agency in Bangladesh), as well as national and international NGOs like Save the Children. Her major areas of expertise are Adolescent Development and Participation, (ADAP), HIV and AIDS, Social and Behavior Change and Gender.
Ms. Shafique is a citizen of Bangladesh and holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies, The Netherlands, as well as in Social Science from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Ms. Ndeye Rose Sarr is the UNFPA representative in The Gambia. Prior to this role, she served as the Regional Desk Specialist for the West and Central Africa Region, a position she held for seven years. In that position, Ms. Sarr provided leadership, policy advice and strategic partnerships building for the region and supported the Eastern and Southern Africa desk. She also contributed to the development of various Country Programmes, supported quality assurance, human resources alignments and capacity development of staff in country offices through the Programme Review Committee (PRC) and the Internal Consulting Group (ICG). She engaged with counterparts in other UN agencies and Member States at headquarters’ level to ensure quality and coherence of programmes, strategic positioning, advocacy and policy dialogue, partnerships and visibility for UNFPA.

Before joining UNFPA, Ms. Sarr gathered extensive programme management experience from the nonprofit sector and through her previous roles at UN Women and UNDP. She has administered multiple grants for programs in Asia and Africa related to capacity building of civil society organisations, gender equality, violence against women, and women’s health and reproductive rights.

Ms. Sarr has field and community development experience working in Senegal her home country with the World Bank, in South Africa for the Open Society Initiative in Southern Africa (OSISA) and the German Technical Cooperation.

She undertook advocacy for the ICPD Programme of Action and the Beijing Platform of Action through programming and policy dialogue for human rights and public-private partnerships. She was part of the team that developed UNDP Gender Equality Seal and co-led the development of UNFPA’s Social and Environmental Standards for Programming.

Ms. Sarr is an engaged employee in UNFPA for staff wellbeing and development. She co-leads the employee resource group known as women@unfpa and is currently the Vice Chairperson of the Paul Hoffman Fund dedicated to supporting staff in times of financial needs.

Ms. Sarr holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada and a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from the Webster University in Saint Louis, Missouri. She is fluent in French and English and has a good command in Spanish.

Niania Dabo is the Programme Manager (Jobs, Skills and Finance (JSF) for Youth and Women) and Country Manager/Lead for the United Nation Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Niania worked as a Policy Advocacy and Government Relationship consultant for the UNCDF from 2018 to 2020. Prior to joining UNCDF, she has held various senior management positions in investment and consumer banking, operations, marketing, training and performance improvement, process effectiveness, vendor management, people and performance management at the Standard Chartered Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank respectively.

Ms. Sirra Horeja Ndow is UNAIDS’ Country Director in The Gambia. She is highly knowledgeable of the Aids Response and instrumental in achievement of key initiatives such as the development, popularization and enforcement of the first HIV and Aids Act, the first Gender Assessment of the National Response, the first Resource mobilization strategy for the National Response; revitalization of a functional UN Joint Team; coordinator and manager of the focused UN Joint Programme on HIV and various UN cares initiatives; including enhanced capacity development of the 11 PLHIV Support groups and 2 umbrella HIV/AIDS Networks. Ms. Ndow also worked with UNDP as the Programme Analyst, overseeing the HIV/Aids and Gender portfolio. Prior to her work with UNDP, Sirra acquired diverse work experiences with various national, regional and international institutions including The Government of The Gambia, NGOs, UNDP, UNIFEM, Women in Development and as an intern with UNICEF in New York. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Development Economics and a Bachelor of Science in International Development from Cornell University in New York, USA.Ms. Ndow speaks English, Wolof and has a working knowledge of French.