LocationsThe Women in Tech series puts the spotlight on women who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital innovations across UNDP. By sharing these inspiring individual stories, we hope to encourage others to choose this path and spur gender equality in the digital sector.
Women in Tech – Winnie Jussa & Celia Milice: Championing Accessibility, AI and digital transformation
March 9, 2026
As the world spotlights on women’s achievements for International Women’s Day 2026, we talked with two ICT colleagues from the UNDP Mozambique Country Office (CO) to hear about their inspiring journeys: Winnie Jussa and Celia Milice. Their stories are not just about technological advancement; they are also about personal and career growth in the pursuit of a more inclusive digital future.
Breaking boundaries: Winnie's path to digital innovation
ICT Associate, Winnie Jussa’s professional journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering. She gained early experience through an ICT internship at the World Food Programme in Quelimane, Mozambique, building strong attention to detail, troubleshooting and user engagement skills.
It was at UNDP, first in Copenhagen and now in Mozambique, where Winnie’s career took a leap forward. “I continued advancing within the UN ecosystem by joining UNDP in Copenhagen as an ICT Support Engineer, where I worked on incident management and provided direct technical support to various UNDP COs, while delivering technical solutions in a fast‑paced international setting,” she notes.
Returning to UNDP Mozambique in 2025, she moved from a technical support role to driving digital innovation, where she launched internal AI capability-building trainings. “For this contribution, I received the UNDP Digital Innovation Champion Award, less than one year after joining the Mozambique CO, a milestone that affirmed my commitment to driving digital transformation,” she reflects.
Winnie and Celia working together at UNDP Mozambique
Photo: UNDP Mozambique
Winnie’s story shows how big changes can start with doubt. “At first, I didn’t want to apply to the position in Copenhagen. Europe felt too far, too foreign, too ‘unreachable’,” she says. With her mother’s encouragement, she took the leap: “that moment changed the direction of my life and brought me to where I am today.” Now growing within UNDP, she adds, “I stay committed to using ICT and AI to enhance operational effectiveness, empower colleagues, and support digital transformation, but also to honour the dreams of the girl I once was—and the woman I am becoming.”
Championing inclusion: Celia’s vision for technology that empowers all
ICT Assistant, Celia Milice began her journey in technology during her Bachelor’s studies in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering, gaining hands-on experience through internships in Mozambique's electrical distribution networks. These sharpened her technical skills and inspired her to make technology accessible for all.
With the Municipal Council of Maputo, Mozambique, Celia quickly moved into systems analysis, driving software development and implementing digital processes that transformed paper-heavy departments into efficient, data-driven teams. Her ingenuity was recognized with an institutional award, underscoring her belief that simple solutions can spark big changes.
Celia and Winnie working together on the CO Asset Tracking System to ensure correct tagging of equipment
Photo: UNDP Mozambique
After earning her Master’s degree in Information Systems for Environmental Management, Celia joined UNDP in 2022 as a UN Volunteer and became an ICT Assistant in 2026. “Joining UNDP represented a paradigm shift that broadened my perspective… I feel proud because when I walk through the corridors and see people focused on their work, it is a sign that technology is running smoothly and I am part of that.” Celia notes.
“As a woman in technology, I have the desire to create accessibility and usability solutions that ensure women with disabilities are included in the digital transformation process. I believe that technology must serve everyone, and inclusion begins when we think about those who are often left behind.”
Driving innovation and inspiring others
Winnie and Celia’s stories remind us that innovation is not just about coding or building systems, it’s about people and the courage to pursue change. Whether it’s empowering colleagues with new skills or ensuring technology is accessible to all, Winnie and Celia’s impact reaches far beyond their UNDP Mozambique.
As they look to the future, they envision a technology industry where women not only participate but lead, shape, and innovate. “Technology must serve everyone,” Celia insists, while Winnie reminds us that “the sky is the limit” and innovation begins with empowering colleagues to work smarter and confidently integrate AI into their daily workflows.
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