Deputy Resident Representative

Ms Gloria Kiondo

Ms Kiondo serves as the Deputy Resident Representative at the UNDP South Africa Country Office, overseeing the implementation of programmes and operations that drive sustainable development and address pressing national priorities.

With over 12 years of extensive experience across multiple regions, Kiondo has held key positions in UNDP, bringing expertise in programme development, results-based management, internal controls, and risk management. Before her current role, she worked at the Bangkok Regional Hub for 2.5 years, where she led the development and implementation of a comprehensive risk management framework for Country Offices in the Asia-Pacific region. She also provided oversight to enhance management performance for Afghanistan, Myanmar, and China offices and contributed to staff development through capacity-building initiatives and onboarding sessions for new Deputy Resident Representatives.

Previously, Kiondo served as Head of Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance in Somalia, ensuring programme quality and compliance for three years. Her earlier roles include heading strategic and programme management support units in UNDP Tanzania for seven years, along with assignments in Kenya, Eritrea, Laos, and regional hubs in Addis Ababa and Bangkok.

Kiondo’s expertise spans multiple UNDP regions, including RBA, RBAS, and RBAP, where she has contributed to programme innovation, operational excellence, and institutional resilience.

She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, USA, and an MSc in International Development from the University of Birmingham, UK.