UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe

Etona Ekole is the UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe since July 2024. She has over 30 years of experience in the promotion and protection of the rights of children across various country and operational contexts.

She is responsible for advocating for the realisation of child rights and improved development outcomes for children In Zimbabwe. In collaboration with national authorities, donors, non-governmental organizations, civil society organisations, parents and caregivers, religious and traditional leaders, as well as young people themselves, she is tasked with facilitating innovations in programming, whilst fostering a duty of care for staff as they strive to achieve ambitious targets for children in health provision, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection services and participation.

She provides leadership and managerial oversight of the UNICEF country office in Zimbabwe, including in resource and partnership mobilisation for children and risk management of UNICEF programmes. In this regard, she coordinates closely with other UN agencies and development partners to attain the Sustainable Development Goals.

Etona Ekole is a national of Cameroon and holds degrees in the fields of International Relations, Development Studies and Human Resource Development. She has held senior positions with UNICEF in Guinea Bissau, the State of Palestine and UNICEF New York Headquarters. She has also served in Yemen, Chad, Haiti, and in Cameroon.