Yoka Brandt has been with UNICEF since February 2012 as the Deputy Executive Director for the Partnerships Group. She brings over 30 years of experience in international assistance and humanitarian emergency response.
Before joining UNICEF, Ms. Brandt served as Director General for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands since 2008, prior to which she was Deputy Director-General. She also held an appointment to the Advisory Group of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), established by the General Assembly.
Ms. Brandt has also served as Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda (2004–2007) and Eritrea (2000–2004). Prior to that, she had worked for the Netherlands Development Organization as Regional Director for West and Central Africa, and in the field offices in Kenya and Uganda.
Throughout her career, Ms. Brandt has focused on development issues, particularly on Africa and advocacy for poverty eradication.
Ms. Brandt is a national of The Netherlands, and holds a master’s degree in Geography and Development from Utrecht University.
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