TheJourneyVolume1 - Book - Page 62
#NextGenUNDP
Betty Pamela Kabuleta Wabunoha
LESOT H O
In 2007, I re-joined UNDP as a Deputy Country
Director (Operations) in Tanzania. My family had to
make some compromises to allow me to later serve
in this same position in Angola, where operational
challenges pushed my knowledge and use of negotiation skills to new heights. I later moved to Nigeria,
where I had the privilege to support the establishment
of our sub-office in Maiduguri at the height of the
Boko Haram crisis. Serving in these different country
contexts, although in an operations role, still prepared
me for the representation functions that I took up later
as part of the UNDS Reforms.
The excellent training, mentorship, and induction
offered by the organization also helped to prepare
me for my current role as Resident Representative in
Lesotho.
Having familiarized myself with Resolution 72/279 of
the General Assembly on the UN Development System
Reforms, I see an opportunity for UNDP to refocus and
strengthen its visibility in the development space.
As the UN Reforms unfolded, it became apparent that
new positions would be open for the next generation of
UNDP Resident Representatives. Although uncertain
of where and how I would fit into this reformed UN
development system, I saw opportunities for creativity,
innovation, and further growth. Motivated by my
passion for our work and my ambition to grow within
UNDP and coupled with encouragement from my then
supervisor and Country Director, peers, and my family,
I took the leap of faith and went for this new challenge
and opportunity. And as it is said, “the rest is history.”
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One of my priorities is to
support the dynamic youth of
Lesotho and strengthening the use
of innovation and
technology through our
UNDP Accelerator Lab.”
COMING TO LESOTHO
I began my tenure as UNDP Resident Representative in
Lesotho on 30th May 2019. I recall it clearly. It was on a
very cold winter’s day. As Darwin once stated: “It is not
the strongest that survive, but the species that survives
is the one that is best able to adapt and adjust to the
changing environment in which it finds itself.”
One of the critical challenges of Lesotho’s national development landscape was for UNDP to continue providing
a strategic, technical, and advisory role in supporting
the democratic governance process in the country. This
was a priority for me as the new UNDP Resident Representative. I have worked closely with the UN Resident
Coordinator to fully engage the political leaders and
the eminent elders in the country, to support continued
stability during this critical time in the country’s history.
It certainly is a pleasure to lead and to be at the center
of Lesotho’s development work, directly supported by a