Alain Noudéhou appointed as new executive director of UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office

Mr. Noudéhou will be taking over from Jennifer Topping of Canada, who is set to complete her term at the end of May 2024.

Achim Steiner, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), today announced the appointment of Alain Noudéhou of Benin as the new Executive Director of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO). Mr. Noudéhou will be taking over from Jennifer Topping of Canada, who is set to complete her term at the end of May 2024.

Mr. Noudéhou comes to the position with a rich background in international development and humanitarian affairs. He has recently served as the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and as the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Mali.

Prior to his work in Mali, he held similar roles in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and has had extensive experience within the UNDP, including positions as Chief of Staff at the UNDP headquarters in New York, and as Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in both China and Zimbabwe.

Before his tenure with the United Nations, Mr. Noudéhou had a significant career in the non-governmental sector, working with Global Communities (formerly CHF International Inc.), where he was the Country Director in South Africa.

Educated in both the United States and China, Mr. Noudéhou holds a Master of Science Degree in Public Management and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from Tsinghua University. He is trilingual, fluent in French, English, and Chinese.

Commenting on the appointment, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner remarked, "Mr. Alain Noudéhou assumes the role of Executive Director of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office as countries increasingly rely on the institution’s expertise to deploy pooled funding that delivers substantial results in humanitarian, peace, security, and sustainable development efforts at scale. As we look forward to his leadership, we also extend our deepest gratitude to Ms. Jennifer Topping for her remarkable leadership and the expansion of new partnerships during her tenure."

Mr. Noudéhou's extensive experience and skills set him up as a highly qualified leader to steer the MPTFO in its critical role facilitating and managing pooled funding for global initiatives.