Zainab Hawa Bangura

Zainab Hawa Bangura has a distinguished career in public service and international diplomacy, currently serving as the Director General at the United Nations Office at Nairobi since January 2020. Previously, Zainab held the position of Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict from September 2012 to March 2017, advocating for the prevention of sexual violence in conflict settings. Zainab's experience includes roles as Minister of Health and Sanitation, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the Government of Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2012. Additional experience includes leading the Civil Affairs Section of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, serving as Executive Director of the National Accountability Group, co-founding the Campaign for Good Governance, managing operations at Reliance Insurance Trust Corporation, and teaching at Fourah Bay College. Zainab's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts from Fourah Bay College and advanced degrees in Insurance Studies from the Chartered Insurance Institute and the University of Nottingham.