Dr. Jacqueline Olweya, UNDP Lesotho Resident Representative

Moretlo 'Moleli

 

Dr. Jacqueline Saline Olweya holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in Economics and Planning of Education from Kenyatta University, Kenya, and a Master of Philosophy Degree in the same discipline from Moi University, Kenya. She has published several books and articles on a wide range of topics including Education, Governance, Security, Poverty Reduction, HIV&AIDS, and Strategic Planning from a gender perspective.

With over 20 years of experience in development practice, she provides high level policy, advisory, teambuilding support and capacity development initiatives for governments, United Nations, civil society organizations and academia.

Prior to being appointed as the UNDP Resident Representative in the Kingdom of Lesotho Jacquiy, as she is fondly known, served as the Deputy Resident Representative for Programmes in UNDP Somalia. Dr. Olweya also served as the Head of the Regional United Nations Sustainable Development Group for Eastern and Southern Africa (R-UNSDG ESA) covering 22 countries; Training Policy Specialist with the United Nations Development Operations Cooperation Office (UNDOCO); Assistant Resident Representative with UNDP Kenya in charge of Governance and Gender Programmes and National Gender Advisor to the Government of Kenya. She also worked as Programme Manager with Care International for an EU funded education project in Somaliland.

A Kenyan citizen, Jacquiy brings a strong track record of leadership and demonstrated exemplary performance in change management, research undertaken and contributions to policy debates in various subject areas.

Nessie Golakai-Gould, UNDP Lesotho Deputy Resident Representative

 

Ms. Nessie Golakai-Gould is a Liberian national with over twenty (20 years) experience in the development sector. Ms. Golakai-Gould has Bachelor or Arts in Political Science and Economics Combined Major from the University of the Ghana and a MSc in Rural and Urban Planning from the University of Zimbabwe.

She has 15 years of UNDP specific experience; serving most recently as UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Gambia.  Previously she headed the Governance Team in UNDP Liberia for over 7 years. Before UNDP, she worked with the Consumers International Africa Office; then situated in Zimbabwe as their Trade and Economic Officer supporting advocacy for consumer protection within global and regional trade negotiations and agreements; especially from a developing country perspective. She is an avid gender rights and equality advocate.

Ms. Golakai-Gould is married with two children, a citizen of Africa at heart.