Dr. Odera is the Representative and Regional Director of the Sub-Regional office of United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNWOMEN). She previously served as Regional Programme Director for UNWOMEN Central Africa (then UNIFEM). Dr. Josephine Odera has extensive experience spanning a career of more than 25 years. She has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Kenya; has taught at the University of Nairobi, Kenya and has worked in Civil Society. She was also a pioneer for the review of Foreign Service regulations as they affected women.

Dr. Odera has served as joint secretary to various bilateral commissions in the Republic of Kenya. At the University of Nairobi, Dr. Josephine Odera taught on the post graduate program of International Studies. She has supervised over 15 Masters Thesis and several Doctoral candidates. Dr. Odera holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Conflict Management from the University of Ghent, Belgium having previously obtained a masters degree in Economics, a bachelor of philosophy degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts degree.