A Danish national, Ms. Damkjær has over 25 years of global senior-level management experience, including significant expertise in infrastructure, development finance, and project implementation. Ms. Damkjær joins UNOPS from the Africa Finance Corporation, where she is currently serving as Non-Executive Director and committee chair of the multilateral financial institution alongside a wide range of board and advisory leadership roles.

Previously, Ms. Damkjær held roles as Chief Executive Officer of the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark from 2019 to 2021, and Principal Portfolio Manager at the World Bank from 2008 to 2012. She also served for fifteen years at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) from 2000 to 2008, and from 2012 to 2019, respectively. At the IFC, Ms. Damkjær held roles such as Global Head of Equity, Chief Investment Officer and Principal Investment Officer, notably leading global infrastructure projects and establishing partnerships to mobilize funding for development projects.

“I am delighted to welcome Kirstine Damkjær as UNOPS Deputy Executive Director for Delivery and Partnerships,” said UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.

“Kirstine’s experience and leadership delivering in complex development environments across a range of sectors will be invaluable to UNOPS operations. I look forward to working together to deliver on our commitments to help tackle global challenges efficiently and with maximum impact – from crisis response efforts, to advancing the SDGs, to supporting climate action,” added Jorge Moreira da Silva.

Read the press release from the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General here.