Worknesh Mekonnen Gonet

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Director of UNOPS Ethiopia Operational Hub (ETOH)

Worknesh Joined UNOPS with over 20 years of work experience mostly working in development sector with International Non-Governmental Organizations. Beginning her career as a teacher, Worknesh made her journey from junior operational to key leadership role in different capacities. Worknesh worked with well branded international large Non-Profit organizations such as Save the Children, World Vision and ActionAid International. She was Deputy National Director for World Vision Ethiopia responsible for the oversight of the operation of a programme with over USD100M annual funding portfolio. With ActionAid she supported eleven East and Southern Africa country operations as Regional Programme Coordinator and with Save the Children as Director, Management Services and Programme Management. Worknesh, during her time with these organizations, was recognized as a creative resourceful leader and team player by her superiors, peers and colleagues. She is known to be an effective communicator with a strong ability to set and articulate strategic direction, confident in expressing her ideas clearly and succinctly. She has hands-on experience in project planning and management, supply chain/procurement, human resources management and organizational development, facilitation, team leadership, decision-making, and effective negotiation and conflict resolution. She has a wealth of experience in the areas of policy and systems designing, strategic planning, program planning and implementation, resources mobilization, networking and overall leadership and representational skills. Worknesh has an MBA from the University of Liverpool, Post Graduate Diploma in Total Quality Management, NESET, India and Diploma in English Language Teaching, Ethiopia. She is married and has one son.