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Dr. Jacqueline Olweya, UNDP Lesotho Resident Representative
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.
Taye Amssalu , UNDP Lesotho Deputy Resident Representative
Mr. Amssalu’s professional career has been rooted in the UN system, where he has held various impactful roles. He began his journey with UNDP in 2004 as a National United Nations Volunteer, serving as a Capacity Development Officer for the Public Service College of Oromia Regional State In Ethiopia. In 2007, he transitioned to the UNDP Ethiopia Country Office as a Capacity Development Specialist. From 2012 to 2018, Mr. Amssalu served as Operations Manager for both UNDP Ethiopia and the Regional Service Center for Africa.
Before moving to UNDP Kenya, he held the role of Acting Deputy Country Director within UNDP Ethiopia. Most recently, until August 2023, he served as Deputy Resident Representative (Operations) with UNDP Kenya. Before joining the UN System, Mr. Amssalu gained valuable experience working in academia, NGOs and with public institutions
Mr. Amssalu holds a Master of Arts degree in Regional and Local Development Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education Planning and Management ( with Distinctions), both from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. He also holds diplomas from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Currently, he is PhD candidate in Development Studies at Saint Paul’s University in Nairobi.