Sylvain Merlen is the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Arab Republic of Egypt. Mr. Merlen has over 20 years of management and experience in international development, in academia and in the private sector in energy and banking. He has a track record of setting up and growing high-performing operations in post-crisis countries and emerging markets. 

His prior United Nations appointments include Head of UNDP office in Aden from 2013 to 2018, Field Coordination Officer with the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Nepal from 2011 to 2012, Recovery Advisor with UNDP in Haiti in 2010, Strategic Planning Specialist with UNDP in Iraq from 2006 to 2009 and Policy Analyst with the Office of Development Studies in UNDP New York headquarters from 2003 to 2005.

Mr. Merlen also worked in academia and in the private sector, including as advisor on NeOn global renewable energy investments and as Financial Analyst at Commerzbank. Mr. Merlen holds a Master Degree in Economics from Princeton University, a Master Degree in Engineering and Applied Mathematics from Ecole Polytechnique in Paris and a Certificate in Language Studies from the American University in Cairo.