Jocelyne Sambira

Jocelyne Sambira is a Public Information Officer specializing in social media at the United Nations, based in New York. She is also a writer for Africa Renewal, a UN publication focused on development issues in Africa. Sambira has an extensive background in journalism and communication, having previously worked as a radio producer for the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan from 2007 to 2009. Before that, she reported for the UN humanitarian news agency, IRIN, covering critical areas in the Great Lakes region and Northern Uganda since 2002. Her career began amid the civil conflict in her native Burundi, where she developed her skills in media production and storytelling.

Sambira holds a Master of Science degree in Digital Media from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, which she completed in 2014. Her work often emphasizes themes of gender equality and social justice, particularly regarding women's rights and empowerment across Africa. She has been actively involved in discussions and initiatives aimed at combating gender-based violence and promoting educational opportunities for young girls.12

Through her role at the UN, Sambira contributes to shaping public narratives and policies that address pressing issues facing African nations, leveraging her expertise in digital media to engage broader audiences on these critical topics.1