PEDRO WERNECK AMADO
Regional Chief Of Human Resources / People & Culture
Panama City
Summary
Senior international Human Resources leader with over 15 years of experience in the UN system (UNICEF, UN DPKO) and 9 years in the private sector. Specialize in leadership and managerial development, developing HR strategies aligned with organizational objectives in diverse global environments. Expertise in full-cycle talent management, change management, workforce planning, diversity and inclusion, and building high-performing HR teams. Known for strategic foresight, ethical leadership, trust-building, and guiding people-centered change processes. Fluent in English, proficient in Spanish and French.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
6
6
Languages
Work History
Regional Chief of Human Resources
UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office
Panama City, Panama
05.2024 - Current
- Lead HR strategy for 24 Country Offices across the LAC region, overseeing the delivery of the full talent management cycle including workforce planning, recruitment, performance, learning, and career development.
- Serve as principal advisor to the Regional Director and Deputies on all HR and People & Culture matters, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s global People Management Strategy.
- Spearhead change management initiatives across the region, supporting the evolution of the People & Culture function in line with organizational transformation goals.
- Oversee strategic recruitments of Country Representatives and Deputy Representatives across the region, ensuring diversity, transparency, and alignment with workforce planning needs.
- Lead efforts to embed psychological safety, staff well-being, and a values-based workplace culture; supervise Regional Staff Counselor’s workplan and related initiatives.
- Coordinate performance management practices and learning strategies; support underperformance cases and supervise compliance.
- Establish and empower a regional peer HR community; facilitate regular engagement platforms, sense of belonging, knowledge-sharing, and regional capacity development.
- Represent UNICEF in inter-agency HR fora, including contributions to the UN Common System on HR reform and talent strategies.
- Drive the implementation of the Global Staff Survey workplan in partnership with the Staff Association, promoting accountability and staff voice.
Human Resources Manager
UNICEF ICT Division
Valencia, Spain
09.2021 - 04.2024
- Provided HR leadership for ICT Division's transition from New York HQ to the Digital Core in Valencia.
- Participated in the Core Management Team; led talent sourcing, onboarding, and professional development strategy.
- Oversaw HR operations and policy implementation, performance and learning programmes, and staff engagement efforts.
- Facilitated culture change initiatives and launched strategies to elevate digital dexterity as a core UNICEF competence.
Human Resources Manager / Supply Community and Learning Manager
UNICEF Supply Division
Copenhagen, Denmark
06.2014 - 08.2021
- Directed the Supply Community strategy, talent acquisition, and succession planning across UNICEF’s supply workforce globally.
- Supervised mobility and emergency surge deployments, managing over 6,000 deployment days.
- Led learning and leadership development initiatives for 1,250+ staff across all regions.
Consultant and Training Manager
Integrating Knowledge
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
01.2013 - 12.2014
- Delivered corporate training in leadership, team building, project management, and organizational effectiveness for national and multinational clients.
Training Officer
UN DPKO
Sudan, South Sudan, DRC, Italy
01.2006 - 12.2013
- Designed and implemented the largest-ever National Staff Capacity Building Programme in DPKO history.
- Led Career Development Center
- Coordinated substantive training programmes
- Facilitated leadership, language and induction programmes, managed training budgets, and provided strategic learning support.
Consultant and Training Manager
Integrating Knowledge
Brazil
01.1998 - 12.2006
- Delivered corporate training in leadership, team building, project management, and organizational effectiveness for national and multinational clients.
Education
MBA - Marketing & Business Administration
IBMEC Business School
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil09.2003
Postgraduate - Business Management
FGV – Fundacao Getulio Vargas
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil08.1994
BA - Economics
Faculdade Candido Mendes
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil02.1993
Skills
Talent Management & Acquisition
Leadership in Change Management
Professional Development
- Performance Management
- Organizational Culture & Staff Wellbeing
- HR Analytics
- Staff Relations
- Advisory Leadership
Gallup Strengths Profile
- Responsibility
- Futuristic
- Significance
- Focus
- Achiever
- Learner
- Command
- Deliberative
- Harmony
- Belief
Relevant Learning
- UNICEF Management Masterclass
- Gallup Strengths Coaching
- Gartner HR Conference
- Managing Staff with Purpose
- Harvard Kennedy School: Mastering Negotiation
- Columbia University: Leadership & Influence
- ASTD Master Trainer
- Tracom Behavioral EQ
- UNSSC RBM Certification
- Prince2 Practitioner
- UNOPS Sustainable Procurement
Timeline
Regional Chief of Human Resources
UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office
05.2024 - Current
Human Resources Manager
UNICEF ICT Division
09.2021 - 04.2024
Human Resources Manager / Supply Community and Learning Manager
UNICEF Supply Division
06.2014 - 08.2021
Consultant and Training Manager
Integrating Knowledge
01.2013 - 12.2014
Training Officer
UN DPKO
01.2006 - 12.2013
Consultant and Training Manager
Integrating Knowledge
01.1998 - 12.2006
MBA - Marketing & Business Administration
IBMEC Business School
Postgraduate - Business Management
FGV – Fundacao Getulio Vargas
BA - Economics
Faculdade Candido Mendes