Vithiya Sathivelu works as the Programme Officer at UNU-IIGH. Her focus includes increasing visibility of the institute through virtual and in-person convening, thoughtful dissemination of ongoing research, strengthening partnerships with governments and non-governmental bodies and building allyship with other UN entities.
Vithiya aims to bridge the gap between research and administration/operation, recognizing that both are equally important cogs in the chain. She holds a MA in Social Work and BA (Hons) International Relations.
She is a social worker by training and has worked with multiple sectors of the vulnerable population through organizations like International Rescue Committee (IRC), Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) and Global Peace Foundation (GPF). She has 9 years of progressive experience managing humanitarian programs, specifically in the intersection of equity, gender, health systems, global health, community building, programme management and operations support.
Since joining UNU-IIGH in 2018, Vithiya has overseen multiple key projects within the programme and administration team.
Her life out of office is largely dictated to her two dogs, Yoda, and Baloo.