Martha Helena Lopez

Martha Helena Lopez is the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources in the Department of Management, Strategy, Policy and Compliance at the United Nations. She is responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of the UN’s human resources organization, leading talent management and implementing management initiatives.

Ms. Lopez brings with her a wealth of senior-level international experience in human resources management. Since 2015, she has served as Director of Human Resources at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Previous to that, she was Director of the Strategic Planning and Staffing Division, Office of Human Resources Management, Department of Management at the United Nations. She also held the positions of Chief of the Human Resources Policy Service (2006-2009) and Chief of the Staff Development Service (2004-2007) at the United Nations.

Ms. Lopez previously served with UNDP as Chief of the Policy Unit, Office of Human Resources, Bureau of Management (2001-2004) and with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Division of Human Resources, as Human Resources Officer, Policy (1997-2001), and Human Resources Officer (1994-1997).

Ms. Lopez began her career as a national staff member in her native Colombia where she worked with both UNICEF (1989-1994) and the World Food Programme (WFP) (1984-1989).

Ms. Lopez holds a Law Degree with specialization courses in socioeconomics from Xaveriana University in Bogota, Colombia. She is fluent in Spanish, English and French.