Gillian Sheehan

Ms. Gillian Sheehan heads the Peacebuilding Strategy and Partnership Branch in PBPSO, where she oversees the Office’s strategic partnerships for peacebuilding with youth-led organizations, civil society, think tanks and the private sector, as well as UN system-wide engagement with international financial institutions and multilateral development banks in prevention and peacebuilding settings.

Gillian has over 25 years of experience in political analysis, support to peace processes and peacebuilding, including field assignments in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Haiti. Since 2019, she has led PBSO’s work developing UN system partnerships with the World Bank and other regional development banks in conflict-affected settings. Previously, she served as Chief of Staff for the United Nations Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) from 2021-22 and was deputy head of the transition team for the Secretary-General’s 2019 reforms of the peace and security pillar. Prior to joining the UN in 2006, Gillian served with her country’s diplomatic service in London and Beijing.

Gillian holds a bachelor’s degree (Joint Honours) in History and French from Oxford University, UK; and a master’s degree in international affairs from The Fletcher School, Tufts University (United States). She is a certified community mediator and speaks English, French, and Mandarin Chinese.