UNDP
About us

Our team
Mr. Maxwell Gomera, UNDP Resident Representative in Rwanda
Mr. Maxwell Gomera, a Zimbabwe national, joins the UNDP Rwanda office from UN Environment where he was the Director of the Biodiversity and Land Branch since 2016.
He is a resource economist with over 20 years’ experience in nature conservation and agricultural development.
He has worked on economic development issues, including being part of a team that developed the ‘Global Green New Deal’ for reviving the global economy and boosting employment in response to the financial and economic crisis of 2008.
‘The 2008 crisis offered many lessons. An enduring one for me was the need for us to take time for introspection and make sure that we are building futures for ourselves that have a purpose far greater than the zeroes on a bank balance,’ he said.
Max has worked extensively with governments and corporates from across the world on a range of issues, including tourism development, human rights and wildlife management. ‘Until the people who live with wildlife recognise them as an important resource, the future for wildlife will remain uncertain,’ he said.
Max is a Senior Fellow of Aspen New Voices. He is an accomplished writer and has written for many National and Global mainstream newspapers and media – and is also widely published. He has been a member of many Boards.
Max is married and has two daughters and a son – they all love Arsenal Football Club.

Ms. Varsha Redkar-Palepu, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Programme & Operations in Rwanda
Prior to this appointment Varsha served as Head of the UN RC Office & Senior Policy Advisor for Ethiopia 2018-19, and was UNDP Head of the Regional UNDG Secretariat Arab States/ MENA in New York 2013-2017. Varsha served as UNDP Assistant Resident Representative for Armenia 2011-13 and UNDP Governance Advisor for Somalia 2009-12. Varsha supported the first generation One UN pilot countries as Programme Specialist UNSSC 2007-09, prior to that she was UNDP Learning & Capacity Development Specialist at HQ in New York 2003-07. Varsha has worked as an educator in Community Health promoting youth and women’s empowerment and with the Canadian Ontario College of Teachers 1998-2002. She was a Gender Researcher in Sri Lanka with the Canadian International Development Agency, CIDA, and the University of Guelph 1996-97.
Varsha holds a Masters of International Public Administration, New York University, Bachelors of Education from the University of Toronto and a Bachelors of International Development & Philosophy, University of Guelph, Canada.
Meet the Rwanda team
UNDP team in Rwanda is made of 56 people. They come from different corners of the world and drew their expertise together to support Rwanda attein its vision.
UNDP advisory Team
Senior Economics Advisor | Osten Chulu | |
Senior Advisor - Resource Mobilisation and Development Effectiveness(MINECOFIN) | Glenn Hodes | |
Research Associate | Mr. Evard Havugimana | |
Research Assistant | Ms. Claudine Uwineza |
UN Volunteers Coordination Office
UNV Country Coordinator | Ms. Odette Bakitengire | |
UNV Programme Assistant | Mr. Claude Ruzigande |
UNDP Programme
Transformational Governance Unit
Programme Specialist | Ms. Nadine U. Rugwe | |
Programme Analyst | Mr. Jean de Dieu Kayiranga | |
Programme Analyst, JPO | Ms. Gertie Steukers | |
Programme Analyst | Mr. Emmanuel Macumu | |
Programme Associate | Ms. Eugenie Musabyeyezu | |
Programme Associate | Ms. Cecile Mupfasoni | |
Programme Assistant | Ms. Chantal Mutavu |
Project Coordinator | Mr. Zephy Muhitwa |
Communications Associate | Mr. Bonaventure Nsabimana |
Disability Inclusion and M&E Assistant | Ms. Liliane Akadata |
Sustainable Growth Unit
Programme Specialist | Vacant | |
Programme Analyst (Environment) | Mr. Bernadin Uzayisaba | |
Programme Coordinator (Environment) | Mr. Alexis Ndayisaba | |
Programme Analyst | Mr Nicolas Schmids | |
Programme Analyst | Ms. Hyesu Yoon | |
NDC Programme Coordinator | Ms. Immaculee Uwimana | |
Senior Technical Advisor | Mr. Bibhuti Bhusan Gadayak | |
Programme Associate | Mr. Egide Kundinshuti | |
Programme Assistant(Environment and DRM) | MS. Matilda Egberg | |
Business Developpment Specialist | MS. Matilda Egberg | |
Programme Specialist | Mr. Qamer Uddin Jatoi | |
National Technical Advisor (REMA) |
Mary Rucibigango |
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Environment Specialist (MINECOFIN) | Mr. Fred Sabiti |
Finance
Finance Specialist | Vacant | |
Finance Associate | Mr. Fidele Safari | |
Finance Assistant | Ms. Alida Prudence Niyibizi |
Human Resources
Human Resources Analyst and Learning Manager | Mr. Livingstone Mfizi | |
Human Resources Associate | Ms. Felicite Dusabe |
Procurement Unit
Procurement Analyst | Mr. Mbasa Rugigana | |
Procurement Associate | Mr. Nadine Umuhire |
Information Technology
ICT Manager | Mr. Fidele Habimana | |
IT Assistant | Mr. Rene Ndayambaje |
Accelerator Lab
Head of Exploration | Vacant | |
Head of Solutions Mapping | Ms. Vaster Kanyesigye | |
Head of Experimentation | Christa Uwamahoro |
General Administration
Protocol Assistant | Mr. Chrysante Birasa | |
Documents Assistant | Mr. Deogratias Nshimiyimana | |
Administrative & Logistics Associate | Ms. Placide Murekatete | |
Senior Driver | Mr. Amin Kagabo | |
Driver (RR) | Ms. Godelieve Mukayiranga | |
Driver | Mr. Jovin. K. Rutagarama | |
Driver | Mr. Didace Mupenzi |
