Rachel Mayanja

Ms. Rachel Mayanja was appointed as the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women in August 2004.

Prior to this appointment, she worked with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) as the Director of the Human Resources Management Division where she was instrumental in the implementation of the reform of human resources management. Prior to joining FAO, she has held different senior positions in the Office of Human Resources Management at UN Headquarters, including the Chief of Common System and Specialist Services, dealing with policies regarding salaries and entitlements, as well as appeals and disciplinary cases. She also served in peacekeeping missions in Namibia (UNTAG) from 1989 to 1990, and Iraq/Kuwait (UNIKOM) from 1992 to 1994.

Ms. Mayanja’s started her career with the United Nations in the then Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, where she joined the Division for Equal Rights for Women shortly after the first world conference for women.

Ms. Mayanja, a national of Uganda, obtained a Law degree from Makarere University, as well as a Master’s degree in law from the Harvard University Law School in the United States.