Sandhu-Rojon appointed UN deputy representative for W. Africa (With image)

United Nations Aug 15 (IANS) The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Harmandip Ruby Sandhu-Rojon an expert on African development as his deputy special representative for West Africa and the Sahel.

"Sandhu-Rojon brings to the position extensive experience with the UN including in leadership positions with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and strong strategic planning coordination and programmatic skills " the UN announcement of her appointment said on Monday.

She has long experience in African development and is currently the UNDP s Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Regional Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa.

Her work for the UN includes stints as the Resident Coordinator in Ghana UNDP Country Director in Burkina Faso Chief of the African Section of UN Volunteers (UNV) and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Madagascar.

Sandhu-Rojon who is from the US holds a MSc in Russian Politics from the London School of Economics.

Guterres who beat out several highly-regarded women for his job in the election last year has said it was his priority to work for gender parity in jobs at the UN especially at the senior levels.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)

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