UNICEF’s New Champion for Pakistan: Pernille Ironside Takes the Helm

Pernille Ironside, the newly appointed UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, has officially begun her tenure, bringing over 20 years of experience in international development, humanitarian action, and child rights advocacy to the role. With a strong background in leading multi-sectoral programs, Ms. Ironside is poised to drive UNICEF’s Country Programme of Cooperation, working closely with the government and partners to support Pakistan’s National Development Plan and address the pressing needs of children across the country.

Ms. Ironside’s appointment has been welcomed by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who expressed optimism about the strengthened partnership between the provincial government and UNICEF under her leadership. Discussions between Ms. Ironside and the Chief Minister focused on ongoing and future collaborations, including flood response efforts, education reforms, and initiatives to improve health and child protection services in Sindh. With her expertise and commitment, Ms. Ironside is set to make a meaningful impact in Pakistan.
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Pernille Ironside has served as UNICEF Representative in Pakistan since July 2025. She leads the multi-sectoral UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation 2023-2027, in partnership with the Government to support Pakistan’s National Development Plan.

A national of Canada, Ms. Ironside brings over 20 years of experience in international development, humanitarian action and child rights advocacy in diverse roles with UNICEF. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Ironside served as the Deputy Director of Data, Planning, Analytics and Monitoring at UNICEF Headquarters in New York; Deputy Representative in Nigeria; Chief of Field Operations in Iraq; Chief of the Gaza Strip Field Office; Senior Global Advisor on Child Protection in Emergencies; Child Protection Specialist in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with additional deployments in Yemen, the Philippines and Pakistan.

Before joining UNICEF, Ms. Ironside held positions with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in Goma; the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in New York; the Canadian Human Rights Commission; and the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa.

Ms. Ironside is a licensed lawyer, holding Canadian degrees in Commerce and Law, as well as a Masters in Law from Columbia University, specializing in International Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, Comparative Law and Transitional Justice. Born and raised in Edmonton, Canada, she is a mother to a young son.

Ms. Pernille Ironside has been appointed as the new UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, a role she officially began in August 2025 after presenting her credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With over 20 years of experience in international development, she leads UNICEF’s Country Programme of Cooperation, working with the government and partners to support development and humanitarian needs for children in Pakistan.
Official start: Ms. Ironside began her new role in August 2025, presenting her credentials to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Previous experience: She has a long career with UNICEF and prior roles with other UN agencies and the Canadian government. Her previous positions include Deputy Director of Data, Planning, Analytics and Monitoring at UNICEF Headquarters in New York, Deputy Representative in Nigeria, and Chief of Field Operations in Iraq.
Responsibilities: In her new position, she provides strategic leadership for UNICEF’s work in Pakistan and collaborates with the government and other partners on both long-term development and humanitarian assistance.
Partnership: Her role involves working with the government, UN, civil society, and private sector to create positive change for children across the country.

KARACHI,Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with UNICEF’s new Pakistan Representative, Ms. Pernille Ironside, welcoming her and expressing optimism that the partnership between his government and UNICEF will grow stronger during her term.

The meeting, held at CM House on Monday, was attended by Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif and Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh. The UNICEF Karachi Chief Field Officer, Mr. Prem Bahadur Chand, also participated.

Ms. Ironside discussed ongoing and future collaborations with the Sindh government.

Welcoming the UNICEF team, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the provincial government values its “excellent partnership” with UNICEF in multiple sectors, particularly in responding to natural disasters and strengthening essential services.

During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on the flood situation and the provincial government’s preparedness to face related challenges. The CM noted that Sindh had taken strong measures to mitigate the impact of floods, while UNICEF’s timely support had proven crucial for affected communities.

Mr Shah lauded UNICEF’s efforts in flood-hit areas, where the agency enhanced primary health care, maternal, newborn, and child health services in five districts, benefiting more than 555,000 people, including 420,000 children and 130,000 women. UNICEF also worked on rehabilitating cold chain systems for vaccines and established round-the-clock birth-dose vaccination sites in public hospitals, ensuring newborns receive life-saving immunisation before discharge.

The meeting also highlighted UNICEF’s broader portfolio in Sindh. These include the Sindh School Daily Monitoring System (SSDMS) to track student attendance and reduce dropouts through real-time alerts.

The Sindh Technical Assistance for Development through Enhanced Education Programme (STA DEEP) education reform programme, which introduced decentralised school management, digital monitoring, and professional development for teachers, benefited more than 55,000 children.

Non-formal basic education centres, set up with international support to bring thousands of out-of-school children back into learning through accelerated programmes. Safe spaces for children and psychosocial support initiatives in flood-affected areas, providing healing and recreational activities to help children recover from trauma. Livelihood and skills training programmes for adolescent girls in Khairpur and Ghotki, empowering them through vocational training and community awareness.

The CM expressed gratitude to UNICEF for standing by Sindh during times of crisis, particularly floods, and for supporting long-term improvements in education, health, and child protection. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to continue working with UNICEF to ensure children and families across Sindh have access to better health, education, and protection services.
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ISLAMABAD, 11 August 2025 – Pernille Ironside, the newly appointed UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, has formally taken up her role, presenting her credentials today to Nabeel Munir, Special Secretary (UN), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, Ms. Ironside reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to protect and uphold the rights of all children in Pakistan. As the new Representative, Ms. Ironside will provide strategic leadership across UNICEF’s country programme which adopts a holistic approach to child well-being that aims to nurture, educate, protect and support children from their earliest moments through adolescence.

“It is an honour to lead UNICEF’s vital work for children in Pakistan. The needs of children are vast, and their potential is even greater. I look forward to building on strong foundations and working in close partnership with the Government, UN and other development partners, civil society, the public and private sectors, and passionate child rights advocates. Together, we have a powerful opportunity to create positive, lasting change so that every child can truly thrive,” said Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.

Under the leadership of the new Representative, UNICEF will continue to support the Government of Pakistan, delivering long-term development support and humanitarian assistance. Key areas of focus include strengthening the education system to expand access and improve learning outcomes for children, enhancing maternal and newborn care, reducing child malnutrition, increasing access to safe water and sanitation, strengthening child protection, birth registration and gender equality, and protecting children from disasters, climate and environmental risks in Pakistan.

A national of Canada, Ms. Ironside brings over 20 years of experience in international development, humanitarian action and child rights advocacy in diverse roles with UNICEF. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Ironside served as the Deputy Director of Data, Planning, Analytics and Monitoring at UNICEF Headquarters in New York; Deputy Representative in Nigeria; Chief of Field Operations in Iraq; Chief of the Gaza Strip Field Office; Senior Global Advisor on Child Protection in Emergencies; Child Protection Specialist in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; with additional deployments in Yemen, the Philippines and Pakistan.

“With nearly half of Pakistan’s population under 18 and two-thirds below age 30, Pakistan holds extraordinary promise. This young population can be a catalyst for transformation. By investing in education, early childhood and neonatal care, nutrition, safe water, child protection, and increasing climate resilience, we can unlock the talent and creativity of children and young people to drive progress and prosperity. I look forward to leading UNICEF’s mission and being a champion for every child,” said Ms. Ironside.