UNOPS appoints Sara Netzer as Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific

Ms. Netzer brings extensive experience across humanitarian, development and fragile contexts, having worked in more than 30 countries. She joins the regional role from Myanmar, where she has served as UNOPS Country Director and Representative since November 2022.

She first joined UNOPS in December 2021 as Fund Director for the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) in Myanmar, one of the country’s largest multi-donor funds supporting livelihoods, food security, resilience and locally led responses in a highly complex operating environment.

Before joining UNOPS, Ms. Netzer worked with the World Food Programme, where she was responsible for establishing an in-country presence in Jamaica, supporting the Government to strengthen social protection programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, and overseeing a team across the Caribbean.

Earlier in her career, she served with USAID and as Senior Director for Emergency Food Security and Livelihoods at Save the Children USA, where she led global support to country offices. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health.

Strengthening delivery and partnerships across a diverse region

Asia and the Pacific is one of UNOPS most diverse regions, covering fast-growing economies, small island developing states, fragile and crisis-affected contexts, and countries facing the increasing impacts of climate change. Across the region, UNOPS works with governments, the United Nations system, international financial institutions and other partners to deliver infrastructure, procurement, project management, fund management and operational services.

Ms. Netzer’s appointment comes at a time when partners across the region are seeking more integrated, efficient and responsive support to turn national priorities and development plans into results for communities.

                           “Asia and the Pacific is a region I know through its people, its complexity and its extraordinary resilience,” said Ms. Netzer. “My experience in Myanmar has reinforced for me how important it is to listen closely, work with humility, and support partners in ways that respond to the realities people face every day.”

With a background spanning public health, food security, social protection, livelihoods and crisis response, Ms. Netzer brings a strong focus on people-centred delivery and partnerships that respond to local priorities.

                            “Across Asia and the Pacific, UNOPS teams are doing important work, often in complex and demanding environments,” she added. “I look forward to learning from them, supporting them, and working together with our partners to deliver results that are grounded in communities’ needs and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Ms. Netzer will be based in Bangkok and will work with UNOPS country and multi-country offices across Asia and the Pacific to strengthen partnerships, support sustainable development, and advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. She is available for interviews and looking forward to talking about her vision with the media.

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For media inquiries, please contact: Elizaveta Zalkind elizavetaz@unops.org

About UNOPS 
UNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement across the world. Read more: www.unops.org.