Coordinator - UNDP Rome Centre for Climate and Energy Transition
Agostino Inguscio is currently the Director of the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition. He was previously Special Advisor on international affairs at the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition and Senior Expert on climate change for the 2021 G7/G20 Office of the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers. He also worked as Policy Officer at the European Commission, lecturer at the University of Cape Town and researcher at Yale University. He holds a doctorate and masters from the University of Oxford.
Malak is a Communications and Project Analyst overseeing the communication strategy for the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition. She focuses on the Youth4Climate initiative, the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA), and the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership. Malak has honed her expertise through a range of experiences, from working with startups on civic engagement initiatives to managing communication projects for NGOs focused on poverty relief and inclusion in Mauritania. Her proficiency in English, French, Arabic, Italian, Chinese, and Spanish enables her to connect with and mobilise a global audience, fostering effective cross-cultural collaborations. Malak holds a Master of Science degree in Chinese Studies in Comparative Perspective from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Roxani Roushas leads the Youth4Climate initiative – a global support programme for young climate leaders – at the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate and Energy. Prior to that, she was based in Amman, Jordan with UNDP’s Regional Innovation Team, managing initiatives on youth-led innovation, women’s digital entrepreneurship, and on enhancing country-level development programming through the use of foresight, behavioural science, and systems thinking. Roxani has also worked with UNDP Somalia on capacity development, strategy, resource mobilisation, and inter-agency coordination on youth and disability. In earlier roles, she coordinated gender, youth, and strategic communication work at the Delegation of the European Union to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and worked at the International Labour Organization in Geneva on global labour migration policy.
Buay is an innovation, international development and program management specialist with over a decade of experience leading interdisciplinary programs in civil society, public and private sectors. He previously served as Head of Exploration with the Accelerator Lab, (UNDP) South Sudan, in East Africa. Buays work champions strategic partnerships, localised intelligence, and advocacy. His work spans climate change adaptation and resilience, youth and women empowerment, fragile and conflict settings and digital transformation. Buay holds a Master's in International Education Policy from Harvard University (USA)and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Political Science and Management from St.Olaf College (USA).
With a background in Political Science and International Relations, I began my career as a communication and visibility professional across various sectors dedicated to positive social impact programs. I bring over 6 years of experience in commercialising social impact products, coordinating and supervising youth-led voluntarism programs, and managing development projects. My expertise also extends to communication and public policy development. I am passionate about designing and implementing social impact projects and promoting equal access to knowledge and opportunities for all. Currently I serve the UNDP Rome Centre, as Youth4Climate’s Learning and Partnership Specialist.
Francis currently leads the work identifying and supporting bankable sustainable energy projects in Africa through the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership. He joined the UNDP Rome Centre from the Macroeconomic and Debt Unit at the World Bank, where he integrated climate and energy considerations into the World Bank’s macroeconomic models.
He holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Oxford and was an assistant professor of economics at Yale-NUS College in Singapore.
Policy and Strategy Analyst for Energy and Climate Change
Kigha joined the UNDP Rome Centre in 2023 as Policy and Strategy Analyst for Energy and Climate Change. In this role, he coordinates the energy team at the country level and liaises with UNDP country offices and relevant agencies to identify, finance, and implement country-driven clean energy projects. Prior to joining UNDP, he implemented several energy and climate projects for UN agencies, state governments and private sector partners.
Kigha holds a Ph.D. in Energy Convergence and Climate Change from Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea; a Master’s degree in International Relations (specialty in Renewable Energy) from the International Relations Institute of Cameroon and the University of Padua, Italy.
Sunday Jerome Salami contributes to the work of the Rome Centre by providing cross-cutting programme management support and technical assistance to two of the Centre’s work areas: The Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership and PISTA (Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance). He has experience in research, program coordination, data and policy analysis and has previously worked at the Kofi Annan Foundation, UNESCO-IIEP, and the European Commission (DG INTPA).
He holds a master's degree in transnational governance from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy and a BA (Hons) degree in Social Sciences jointly delivered by Glasgow Caledonian University and African Leadership University in Mauritius.
Kiduo provides technical support to countries in the formulation, enhancement, and implementation of the UNDP-Italy Energy Partnership with a focus on Kenya, Rwanda, and Algeria. He brings extensive experience in managing projects, programs, and portfolios. He is a practitioner member of the Human Development and Capability Association (HDCA).
He holds two master’s degrees from Universidad Isabel I; one in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and another in Natural Risk Management and Climate Governance. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Stefano Moshi Memorial University College in Tanzania. In addition, he has two Diplomas from Alison; one in Economic Energy Systems and another in Environmental Quality Monitoring and Analysis.
Gawie Kanjemba is a Project Management Analyst at the UNDP Rome Centre, specialising in energy transition programmes. He holds a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Namibia, and an interdisciplinary MA/MSc in International Energy (Project Management & Emerging Economies) from Sciences Po Paris, with exchange studies at Stanford and Peking University. His diverse professional experience includes roles at Africa’s largest law firm, a port authority, the Energy Charter Secretariat, the International Energy Agency, the African Energy Chamber, and in Private Equity. Gawie's expertise bridges legal, energy, and project management sector.
I work in UNDP Zambia as an International Energy Specialist. Working in close collaboration in supporting the Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition in delivering the expected results of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership and overall strengthening UNDP’s capacity in supporting countries to achieve the SDG7 as well as Strengthening UN boots on the ground to support scaled-up energy access and transition programming at the country level.
I joined UNDP Zambia in October 2023 from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Kenya where I served as National Energy Programme Coordinator. My experience spans over 25 years in Energy, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management. I hold a Masters degree in Agriculture and Rural Development, Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Management and a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Engineering.
Cristina Altomare works on climate finance at the UNDP Rome Centre, leading PISTA - the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance. In her previous capacities, she worked as an economist in the staff of then Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, focusing on the climate and energy portfolio and at the European Central Bank, specialising in macroeconomic financial and non-financial statistics. She also worked as economist at Greencroft Economics, a boutique consulting firm advising on low-carbon and inclusive growth in developing countries, and as research assistant at Stockholm University, focusing on a project on local infrastructure and community decision-making in Bangladesh.
She studied Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS, University of London) and the University of Tor Vergata.
Rohith serves as a Finance Specialist at UNDP Rome Centre, preparing impactful projects in the area of climate, clean energy and environment to leverage requisite financing. He previously served as the Nigeria Focal Point for the Italy - UNDP Energy Partnership.
Prior to UNDP, Rohith worked with the IFC, World Bank Group for 5 years and was instrumental in deploying over US$210 million and managing a portfolio of over US$330 million in debt, mezzanine, blended and equity investments across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Prior to IFC, Rohith worked in investment banking with Deutsche Bank in East and Southeast Asia.
He holds a Master in Advanced Global Studies (Environmental Policy and Sustainability) with Cum Laude honours from Sciences Po Paris and a B. Com (Honors) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University.
Rossella worked across diplomacy, banking, and international relations before joining UNDP’s efforts in Climate Finance.
Previously, Rossella was Chief Business Officer at INSTEX, a diplomatic mission by European Ministries of Foreign Affairs. In 2023, she worked with UNESCO on designing Environmental and Social recommendations for Major Sports Events, using sport as a means for sustainable development. Rossella has experience in corporate banking at J.P. Morgan and business development in Southeast Asia. On the side, she volunteers for WWF on biodiversity preservation and LendWithCare on microfinancing.
Rossella read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of York and the University of Hong Kong, and holds an advanced Masters in International Development and Environmental Policy from Sciences Po Paris.
Mpho is a Chartered Development Finance Analyst with extensive experience in project and infrastructure financing across Sub-Saharan Africa. She has supported and managed syndicated finance transactions, including flagship renewable energy projects in South Africa. She has also held roles in economic policy and academia. Currently, she is a Sustainable Finance and Investment Specialist, implementing the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership and Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA). Mpho is dedicated to enhancing access to finance for renewable energy projects and high-impact climate action initiatives.
Vir is an industrial engineer turned development economist. He has about a decade of experience spanning power, renewable energy, international development, agriculture, and climate finance, His work spans project management, delivery of technical deliverables to clients, policy analysis and advice, capacity building etc. Recently, he was engaged with the Climate Bonds Initiative as senior research analyst, focusing on accelerating climate finance for India’s decarbonization.
He is passionate about sustainable development, climate finance and data-driven policies. He holds a postgraduate in Development Studies with a specialisation in Applied Development Economics from the London School of Economics and an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra. He enjoys yoga and loves exploring nature.
As the RCSD, the Team Assistant, under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, supports the team by performing a variety of standard administrative processes ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. The Team Assistant promotes a quality and results-oriented approach according to UNDP rule.
Gulgun Sahin is the Head of Project Support Unit at the UNDP Rome Centre, where she oversees the project support activities essential for the Centre’s efficiency and strategic alignment with global development goals. Gulgun is very keen on operational efficiency where she ensures that all processes within Rome Centre are in line with UNDP mission of promoting sustainable development in different parts of the world. Her work primarily involves identifying operational bottlenecks and developing sustainable solutions.
Gulgun has been with the UNDP for eight years, serving in various capacities. Prior to her role in Rome, she was the Head of the Programme Support Unit at the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub. There she led a team dedicated to implementing and scaling up the impact of development projects across the ECIS region. Gulgun holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration. She was awarded with the Chinese Government Scholarship for her master studies in Public Administration.
Edgar Aguilar is IRFF’s Value Chain Resilience Specialist. Previously, Edgar worked for the International Labour Organization at its Regional Office for Africa in Côte d’Ivoire, where he facilitated public and private partnerships to increase access to finance to agricultural value chains. Supporting the ILO Impact Insurance Facility, Edgar has worked closely with the insurance industry, developing risk management solutions for smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Edgar holds a master’s degree in Rural Development for Southern Countries and an engineer diploma in Agriculture. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Enock Sing’oei is agriculture and climate insurance expert. He has been global and regional lead on agriculture and climate innovation projects, market systems development initiatives, resource mobilization and programme design and implementation across Africa and Asia. Enock is a Microinsurance Master 2020 alumnus and a fellow of ILO Impact Insurance Facility. He holds an MBA, a diploma in Human Resources and certifications in insurance, social innovation and climate finance. Enock grew up on a farm and is passionate about supporting projects that decrease risk and improve well-being for low-income people.
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