Joyce Msuya

Joyce Msuya is a Tanzanian microbiologist and environmental scientist who has been serving as assistant secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and deputy emergency relief coordinator in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs since 2021. From 2018 to 2021, she served as the deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at the level of assistant secretary-general.

Early life and education Msuya was born in Tanzania, circa 1968. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Immunology from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, in 1992. She later graduated with a Master of Science degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in 1996.

Career Early career Before joining the World Bank Group, Msuya worked as an International Health Policy Analyst with the Liu Center for Global Studies (now Liu Institute for Global Issues) at the University of British Columbia in Canada. Previously, she worked in Tanzania on various assignments, in the private and public sectors.

Career at the World Bank Msuya joined the World Bank in 1998 as a health specialist. She went on to build expertise in development economics as well as lending operations in the health sector during her tenure with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In 2001, she joined the World Bank's Development Economics vice presidency as advisor to the Senior Vice President & Chief Economist, Professor Lord Nicholas Stern.

Career at UNEP From 2018 to 2021, Msuya served as the deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at the level of assistant secretary-general. She was appointed to this position by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on 21 May 2018, for a five-year term. She replaced Ibrahim Thiaw of Mauritania, who had served out his term.

Personal life Msuya is married and has two children.