UNDP Resident Representative in The Gambia

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 30 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.