Tenu Avafia

Tenu Avafia serves as the Deputy Executive Director at Unitaid since May 2022, previously holding the position of Head at the UN Resident Coordinator's Office from June 2020 to May 2022. Tenu's extensive experience with UNDP from February 2006 to May 2020 includes roles as Team Leader for Human Rights, Key Populations, Health Technology Innovation and Access, and as a Policy Advisor for Human Rights, Law and Treatment Access. Tenu contributed significantly to global health initiatives, policy formulation, and partnership management. Earlier positions include Researcher and Country Manager at the Trade Law Centre for Southern Africa and Project Lawyer at the Legal Assistance Centre, focusing on constitutional and human rights issues. Educational qualifications consist of a PhD in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary University of London and advanced degrees in international trade law and law from Stellenbosch University and the University of Namibia.