Sima Bahous

Dr. Sima Bahous, a national of Jordan, was appointed in February 2012 by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States. In this post, Ms. Bahous leads UNDP’s 18 programme offices in the Arab region in their efforts to develop national capacities and achieve results in moving towards sustainable development pathways that reduce poverty and inequality, inclusive and effective governance systems that deliver results for people, and resilience to the risks of natural disaster and conflict.

In these efforts Dr. Bahous builds on a solid foundation of experience in public service and development cooperation in her native Jordan and across the Arab States region. From 2008 to 2012, she served as the Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Development Sector at the League of Arab States, leading the work of the Arab League’s Departments of Social Policies, Health and Humanitarian Assistance, Youth, Women, Children and Family, Population and Migration, Human Rights, Civil Society, and, Studies and Research.

Prior to this, she served in two ministerial posts in Jordan: as President of the Higher Media Council and as Adviser to His Majesty King Abdullah, respectively. Other posts include Head of the Media and Information Division at the Royal Hashemite Court, Executive Director of the King Hussein Foundation, and Development and Communication Specialist and later Executive Director of the Noor Al Hussein Foundation. She has taught development and communication at Yarmouk University and at Petra University, both in Jordan, and was a producer and host with the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation.

Dr. Bahous is deeply committed to promoting sustainable socio-economic development, alleviating poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the Arab world. She works passionately towards enhancing gender equality, youth empowerment, quality education and human rights. She is a keen advocate of democratic governance and human development, and is a strong believer in international development cooperation.

Dr. Bahous holds a PhD in mass communication and development from Indiana University, United States, a Master of Arts in literature and drama from Essex University, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Jordan University.

Dr. Bahous was born in June 1956. She is married and has one daughter.