Hélène Papper is the Director of the IFAD Communications Division, which is responsible for IFAD’s global internal and external engagement and positioning, communications and advocacy strategies and operations.

Before joining IFAD, Papper was the Director of the United Nations Information Center for Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela based in Bogotá. She is a conflict and post-conflict strategist and leader with extensive experience in the field of diplomacy, advocacy and communications.

She previously worked in peacekeeping missions for the United Nations in Mali, Sudan, South Sudan and Haiti, where she developed radio stations to support electoral and peace implementation processes, ensuring protected spaces for women and youth to have a recognized voice in the changing landscapes of their countries. She also supported the African Development Bank in their transition from Tunisia to Côte d'Ivoire headquarters. Papper has led strong advocacy programmes in the fields of gender, climate, environment, social inclusion, education aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda.

Papper holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Literature and Civilization from the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris, France and two Bachelor’s degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from Syracuse University in New York.