Peter Hawkins assumed the position of UNICEF Representative to Yemen in November 2022. Before that, he was UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria (May 2019 to Oct 2022) and Iraq (from Sept 2015 to April 2019) where he created a programme with a clear focus on delivering a prioritized set of results for women and children, responding to large complex emergencies, and developing a long-term evidence-based programmes.

Prior to working with UNICEF, Peter Hawkins worked with the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) as: Head of Profession for Programme Management (UK); Team Leader for Human Development in Ethiopia; and Group Head for Sub-national Governance, Conflict Reduction and Democracy, Accountability and Voice in Pakistan. Peter also worked as Deputy Head for Provincial Reconstruction Team (Helmand, Afghanistan) and Team Leader for Human Development in Nigeria.

From 1985 to 2004, Peter worked with Save the Children UK where he last held the position of Regional Director for East and Central Africa (London HQ). His other positions included Regional Director for South Asia (London HQ), Emergency Coordinator (London HQ), Country Director (Angola), Deputy Country Director (Sri Lanka), and Senior Programme Coordinator (Ethiopia).

Peter Hawkins holds an advanced degree in Law (LL.M.) from the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS); and a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in African Language (Amharic) and Law, from SOAS, University of London.