Harare, Nisha has officially assumed her role as the Director and Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for Southern Africa, committing to leverage UNESCO’s mandate to bolster national development across the region, especially in Zimbabwe. In her new capacity, Nisha will steer UNESCO’s efforts to enhance science and technology, improve the quality and accessibility of education across all levels, support the health and wellbeing of the youth, and foster the integration of culture and nature into development strategies.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Nisha presented her credentials to Zimbabwe’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, marking the commencement of her tenure. Her oversight will extend across Southern Africa, encompassing Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with a particular representation role in Zimbabwe. Sithembiso Nyoni, acting Minister, welcomed Nisha’s leadership, affirming Zimbabwe’s commitment to supporting UNESCO’s regional office and its initiatives.
Before her assignment in Southern Africa, Nisha contributed significantly as the Director and UNESCO Representative to the Pacific States. There, she focused on aligning the organization’s operations with its long-term goals while addressing immediate challenges to better serve national stakeholders. Her tenure saw the expansion of UNESCO’s work and presence in the Pacific through the establishment of four new offices across three sub-regions.
Nisha’s diverse career spans multiple sectors, including development, humanitarian action, labor and human rights, peacebuilding, and regional development. She has worked with several international organizations, including Oxfam GB, Christian Aid, UNDP, UNIFEM, and the ILO, in various regions around the world, from the East and Horn of Africa to South Asia and the Arab States, in addition to her collaborations with civil society organizations in India.
UNESCO’s Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) works closely with member states, civil society, and institutions to support a wide array of programs. These initiatives aim to provide universal access to quality secondary, tertiary, and higher education; foster the development and application of science, technology, and innovation; promote cultural diversity and heritage preservation; expand access to information and communication technologies; and advocate for inclusive development, gender equality, and youth engagement. Through these efforts, UNESCO ROSA aspires to eradicate poverty and contribute to lasting peace, security, and sustainable development in Southern Africa.