Our Team in The Gambia

UN Resident Coordinator

Mr. Karl Frédérick Paul

UN
Resident Coordinator for the Republic of The Gambia
A citizen of Haiti, Mr. Karl Frédérick Paul brings 20 years of experience in development and humanitarian work, primarily in NGO leadership positions in complex environments. He began his development career as a field officer in disaster prone island Haiti and has since worked in coordination and leadership roles across Africa and Latin America. His most recent postings have been as Resident Representative for Plan International in Burkina Faso, Benin and Country Director for CARE in Haiti. In recent years, he was worked in a variety of leadership positions across Africa (Angola, Tunisia, Libya, DR Congo, Burundi, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire) actively contributing to development solutions for these Nations and aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As a seasoned professional, Mr. Paul brings hands-on expertise in leading international organizations with a strong focus on development programming, humanitarian preparedness and response, and social cohesion strategies, all contributing to the attainment of SDGs. His extensive experience spans multiple development sectors, involving collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Possessing robust analytical and conceptual skills, he has always demonstrated a profound understanding of sustainable development dynamics, poverty reduction, and social injustice. A dedicated leader, Mr. Paul brings extensive experience in delivering development programs, conducting policy dialogue and advocacy, fostering long-term equitable partnerships, and leading strategy development on transformative entry points, key transitions, that have essential catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs. He advocates that such transitions require a consideration of multiple policy levers spanning economic, social and environmental dimensions.

Furthermore, Mr. Paul is an outspoken feminist and strong advocate for climate action, for green and blue economies. He is a convener of people and connector of ideas that help countries to unlock their potential with confidence at the future. Driven by a results-oriented mindset, he emphatically believes in the transformative power of collaborative action and trust to collaborative and inclusively deliver sustainable solutions contributing to the SDGs.

Mr. Paul has a Master’s in Business Administration, Master’s Degree in Strategic Management from the University of Belgrano in Buenos Aires Argentina and a Bachelor Degree in Finance from Quisqueya University in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He was accepted for a PhD in International Development at the London School of Economics in 2021. He is fluent in French, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Creole, German and intermediate Arabic. In his free time, Mr. Karl-Frederick Paul enjoys doing crossfit and as a classical pianist, he spends time playing pieces from his preferred classical baroque repertoire.
WFP Country Director

Ms. Mirande Sende

WFP
WFP Country Director
 
 
 
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.

Ms. Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba

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

George Lwanda

RCO
Senior Development Coordination Officer & Team Leader Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator
 
George Is the Senior Development Coordination Officer & Team Leader Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator
Mr. Andrea Ori

Mr. Andrea Ori

OHCHR
Regional Representative, West Africa
 
 
 
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

Mr. Baboucarr Sallah

ITC
Representative a.i
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.
Emmanuel Murwisi

Mr. Emmanuel Murwisi

IOM
Chief of Mission
 
 
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

Mr. Patrick Gitton

IMF
Resident Representative
 
 
 
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.
Mr. Christophe YVETOT UNIDO Representative for Cabo-Verde, Guinea Bissau Mauritania, Senegal and the Gambia

Mr. Yvetot Christophe Olivier Renaud Representative

UNIDO
Representative
 
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.
RR Mandisa Mashologu

Ms. Mandisa Mashologu,

UNDP
Resident Representative
 
 
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.


Moshibudi Priscilla Rampedi

Ms. Moshibudi Priscilla Rampedi

FAO
Representative
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.
Nafisa Binte

Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique

UNICEF
Representative
 
 
 
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

Ms. Ndeye Rose Sarr

UNFPA
Representative
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

Ms. Niania Dabo

UNCDF
Country Relationship Manager
 
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.
Sirra Horeja Ndow

Ms. Sirra Horeja Ndow

UNAIDS
Country Director
 
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.