Laila Baker holds a background in health policy from Cardiff University and has over 25 years of experience in international humanitarian and development sectors, mainly in the Arab region. She has worked with major non-UN organizations, including the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s Regional Office in Tunisia, Oxfam UK, and served as Director of Strategic Planning for the IFRC in Palestine.
As Director of UNRWA’s Relief and Services Program (2014-2016) in Amman, Jordan, she led significant reforms in poverty and social inclusion initiatives. Baker has an extensive career with the United Nations, primarily with UNDP, UNRWA, and UNFPA, where she served in various locations, including Palestine, Geneva, Syria (as Representative from 2012-2014), and Jordan (from 2016-2018). Since 2018, she has been the Regional Director for the Arab States,UNFPA.