UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan
Mr. Fran Equiza
Read about Fran Equiza in Dari and Pashto here.
Mr. Fran Equiza is the UNICEF Representative for Afghanistan. Prior to assuming this role, Fran served as the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan between January 2022 – January 2023, leading the UN’s humanitarian assistance work.
Fran has a vast background of fostering humanitarian work across diverse regions and in volatile environments. His career in the development sector and in the UN has spanned over two decades. Each country context and experience has given him the opportunity to meet with women, children, families, community leaders, donors, NGOs, non-state actors, and politicians to better understand their perspectives. These same experiences have enriched his political acumen, critical thinking, and leadership style so that he can better negotiate and influence, especially in complex, politically sensitive and challenging environments.
A humanitarian at heart, Fran joined UNICEF in 2014, serving as Representative in Mali, Syria, and the Central African Republic after which he was seconded to join the UN Mission in Afghanistan as Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator. Prior to UNICEF, he spent the early part of his career with Oxfam, serving in Spain and later in Mexico and Kenya as the Regional Director.
Fran's academic achievements include an MBA from Esade Business School in Spain; a Master’s degree in Development Studies and Governance from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Spain; and a Master’s degree in Economics from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Spain. In addition, Fran has completed courses in Executive Education Leadership at Harvard University, and in Leadership in Complex Organizations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
A Spanish national, Fran is also fluent in English and French.
He is a proud father of three children aged 8, 16 and 19. They are his greatest supporters and toughest critics. They keep him grounded and make him laugh every day.