The UN Resident Coordinator Office
The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system brings together all UN entities dealing with operational activities for sustainable development in Bangladesh. Its aim is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness and support coordination and coherence of the UN system. The RC focuses on leveraging leadership, policy, programmatic and diverse practical expertise across UN development entities working together towards the common goal of improving the relevance and impact of the UN’s contribution to a country’s development results.
The UN in Bangladesh delivers collectively through the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2017-2020. UNDAF outcomes are aligned with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, the priorities set in the Government of Bangladesh’s 7th Five-Year Plan and Vision 2021, and Bangladesh’s obligations under international human rights standards. The UNDAF is a concise, public framework that provides strategic vision to the UN system, contributes to all-of society engagement and an enabling environment for sustainable development, and frames the contribution and role of the UN system within Bangladesh’s overall sustainable development.
Key functions of the Resident Coordinator’s Office:
- Strategic analysis, policy and programming planning;
- Oversight of the implementation of the UNDAF;
- Support to national and UN coordination and aid effectiveness;
- External communication and advocacy on system-wide issues such as human rights and gender equality;
- Representation of the UN development system and support to UN agencies;
- Development and facilitation of shared operational support services; and
- Joint resource mobilization and fund management.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh
Gwyn Lewis is the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.
Ms. Lewis brings more than 20 years of experience in international development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian affairs to the position. Prior to her assignment in Bangladesh, Ms. Lewis served as Director of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Affairs in the West Bank from 2019; leading a 4,000 strong team in providing essential services and humanitarian aid to more than 850,000 Palestine refugees in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Before being assigned to Jerusalem, she was the Deputy Director for Programs for UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon. Prior to working with UNRWA, Ms. Lewis worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) where she managed the Global Clusters Coordination section in UNICEF’s Emergency Division. She joined UNICEF from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2012, where she focused on humanitarian policy and supporting FAO country offices. Ms. Lewis has worked with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva, building UN and NGO partnerships, and supporting the roll out of the humanitarian reform agenda. Ms. Lewis has also worked for both OCHA and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the occupied Palestinian territory, the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and various NGOs in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Albania.
Fluent in English and French, she holds a master’s degree in International Relations and European Studies from the University of Kent, Canterbury, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Economics from San Francisco State University.
