Hans-Christof Graf von Sponeck

Hans-Christof Graf von Sponeck was educated in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Sociology and Physical Anthropology, as well as an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Philosophy) from the University of Marburg.

From 1966 to 1968, he worked for the German Foundation for International Development in Bonn. He subsequently served with the United Nations from 1968 to 2000, with postings in Ghana, Pakistan, Turkey, and New York (1968–1981). He headed UN offices in Botswana, Pakistan, and India and served as Director of the UNDP Office in Geneva (1982–1998). From 1998 to 2000, he served as UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq.