Shaima Hussein, a Jordan national, is the Special Advisor to the Executive Secretary. Her vast experience boasts an impressive career of over two decades marked by exemplary leadership, adept programme management, and extensive international development experience across various roles within international organizations and the UN Common System, Shaima brings a wealth of experience to her new role at UNCDF.

Prior to her current appointment, she served as Deputy Director for Inclusive Digital Economies (IDE) Practice at UNCDF headquarters, demonstrating exceptional capabilities in navigating complex issues and driving impactful initiatives.

Her tenure at UNCDF follows a distinguished career path. She previously held the position of Deputy Resident Representative (Programme and Operations) at UNDP Eswatini Country Office from 2019 to 2022. Before that, she served in various technical roles, including Policy and Programme Specialist with the Crises Bureau at UNDP (2015-2019) and Bureau for Development Policy of UNDP (2012-2015). Shaima's expertise in governance was honed during her time at the UNDP Regional Center in Cairo (2009-2012), focusing on country support and policy advice. She also coordinated governance initiatives in Iraq with UNAMI/UNRCO and led human rights projects with UNDP Iraq (2008-2009).

In the humanitarian sphere, she contributed significantly to emergency response efforts in Iraq while working with international NGOs from 2006 to 2008. Earlier in her career, she played a vital role in the operations of UNRWA's Jordan Field Office from 2000 to 2005, working in three different Refugee Camps. Shaima holds a master’s degree in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights from the University of Essex.

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