Henrietta Fore: Fayaz King Appointed DED Field Results and Innovation

From: Executive Director
Sent: 25 July 2019 17:34
Subject: Appointment of DED Field Results and Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Mr. Fayaz King of Zimbabwe as Assistant Secretary-General to serve as the Deputy Executive Director, Field Results and Innovation, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Fayaz recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at Econet where he was influential in digitally transforming the company. He served on the Boards of Liquid Telecom Zimbabwe, Econet Burundi and Econet Lesotho. He brings to the position over 30 years of experience in innovation, business development, organizational & digital transformation. Prior to heading Econet, Fayaz served as Managing Director at Bharti Airtel International and Celtel International. He has worked in Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Fayaz has prioritized humanitarian work in the aftermath of cyclone Idai in Mozambique. He has also spearheaded the implementation of several technological innovations including digital products, mobile games and mobile money platforms and successfully overseen developments aimed at digitizing school education and healthcare. He is a passionate driver of youth development, empowerment and start-up programs. 

Fayaz will lead the UNICEF area of work focusing on Innovation for Results and will oversee the Office of Innovation, Supply Division, Division of Information and Communication Technology, the Office of Global Insight and Policy, and from January 2020 the Office of Research.  We welcome Fayaz to the UNICEF family and look forward to his active engagement and leadership for children and young people.

Our efforts to fill the post of Deputy Executive Director, Management are continuing. I am pleased that Hannan Sulieman has agreed to continue acting in this role until the process is completed. This is particularly important as we progress on our actions related to our workplace environment in response to the Independent Task Force and other reports, and as we embark on the Mid Term Review of our Strategic Plan.

With Hannan continuing in the DED Management role for an extended period, the position of Chief of Staff has now been advertised. Mirna Yacoub, who has been covering this role will continue as acting COS until we recruit a new Chief of Staff.

Once the DED Management and Chief of Staff roles have been filled, Hannan and Mirna will continue to serve UNICEF in other capacities.

Please join me in welcoming Fayaz and wishing him the very best in his important new role, and in thanking Hannan and Mirna for the exceptional leadership they have been providing while acting in the DED and Chief of Staff roles.

Henrietta H. Fore