Nivesh Sood (India) is a seasoned expert in international operations and assurance, with over 15 years of experience across the United Nations system and the private sector. He specializes in strategic operations management, performance oversight, risk mitigation, and digital transformation within complex humanitarian and development contexts.

Nivesh has served as the International Operations Manager at UNFPA Syria, where he led critical operational strategies during ongoing crises. His extensive UNDP tenure includes operational leadership roles in Afghanistan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and at the UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub, where he served as an advisor for operational policy and business process reform across 24 Asia-Pacific country offices.

Known for his crisis management skills, he has ensured the continuity of operations in high-risk environments, including during the 2021 Afghanistan crisis and the 2024 regime transition in Syria. His interventions have greatly improved financial sustainability, institutional budget utilization, and procurement efficiency, most notably increasing delivery rates in PNG from 43.6% to 96.45% and in Afghanistan from 50% to full delivery.

Nivesh has spearheaded numerous business automation initiatives, including the PROMPT procurement planning platform, which was adopted organization-wide and later by UNDP at a corporate level. He has also developed internal control frameworks and risk-adjusted procurement systems designed for fragile contexts. Alongside his operational expertise, he has played a crucial role in talent development, security coordination, and UN interagency frameworks, consistently enhancing organizational effectiveness and staff resilience.

Nivesh holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi, an MBA, and a Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from École Supérieure de Commerce de Rennes. He is fluent in English and Hindi and has a working knowledge of French.