Maria Paula Castañeda

Maria Paula Castañeda is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in gender-based violence, gender equality, and children's rights advocacy. Currently serving as a Learning and Talent Development Officer at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, since September 2019, Maria Paula provides strategic advice to stakeholders and develops a comprehensive suite of on-demand learning resources. Previously, as a Senior Protection Associate at UNHCR from October 2016 to April 2019, Maria Paula coordinated national responses for gender-based violence and child protection in Mexico. With prior roles including Program Coordinator at UNICEF and Project Coordinator at EQUIS: Justicia para las Mujeres, Maria Paula has a solid track record in advocacy, project design, and capacity building. Educational qualifications include a Master's Degree in International Relations with a specialization in Peace and Security Studies, a Postgraduate Diploma in Gender, Sexuality and Law, and a Bachelor's Degree in French and Spanish Languages and Literature, complemented by a Postgraduate Diploma in Transparency, Accountability, and Anti-Corruption.