Sue Coates

Ms. Coates brings a wealth of experience to the role of Deputy Executive Director. With a background in education and management, she has worked in many different contexts and environments, including in UK industry, academia and the public and private sectors. She moved from UNICEF to UNOPS in 2018.

Previously serving as UNICEF Regional Advisor for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in two regions, West and Central Africa, and East and Southern Africa, Sue has vast experience of social development across health, education and gender, having worked with country offices and their national and local government counterparts across 44 countries.

As Chief of WASH, UNICEF India, Sue contributed to the largest sanitation initiative in the world, the government’s Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India). Working closely with the national ministry, state and district administrations, she experienced how to manage complex at-scale programmes, and drive social movements to challenge deeply entrenched social norms around open defecation, human rights and the position of girls and women in society. India also provided Sue with the opportunity to work in collaboration with a diverse group of influencers, including eminent inter-faith leaders, legislators, youth innovators and activists, humanitarians, journalists, editors and business leaders.