IOM Director General's Executive Office

The IOM Director General's Executive Office, led by the Chief of Staff, manages the Organization and has overall responsibility for the formulation of policies and oversight of activities to ensure coherence with strategic priorities. The Office comprises those units and functions that report directly to the Director General and provide advisory services and/or direct support to the whole Organization.

The Executive Office assists the Director General and Deputy Directors General in the fulfilment of the Organization’s mandate and provides strategic planning and coordination for the Director General’s organization and management objectives; facilitates the development and strengthening of management capacity and ensures that both Headquarters and field structures respond adequately to organizational challenges; coordinates the Organization’s complex activities; ensures accountability, follow-up and implementation of organizational policies and procedures; and facilitates coordination between Headquarters and the field. The Office also serves as a focal point for all matters that require direct intervention, such as staffing, financial issues and reporting matters, and includes the Senior Regional Advisors.

Office of the Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff directly supervises the Executive Office and, on behalf of the Director General, oversees the Department of Strategic Planning and Organizational Performance and the Department of External Relations, the Media and Communications Unit, the Special Envoys, the IOM Office to the UN in New York, and the Liaison Office to the AU in Addis Ababa. The Chief of Staff may represent the Director General in specific circumstances, as and when designated.

Department of External Relations

The Department of External Relations is responsible for supporting and coordinating the Organization’s relations with its Member States, intergovernmental organizations and civil society. The Department leads and coordinates IOM’s external engagements, including IOM’s support for global and regional consultative processes. The Department coordinates the Organization’s participation in multilateral mechanisms, conferences and processes and follow-up to major international initiatives, including the Global Compact. The Department also provides guidance on and support for institutional cooperation with governmental, multilateral and private sector donors, and is responsible for the development of fundraising policies, strategies and tools. Learn more 

International Partnerships Division 

The International Partnerships Division is responsible for developing and monitoring IOM’s partnerships with non-United Nations intergovernmental organizations, civil society and other multilateral and regional institutions. The Division develops IOM’s contributions to inter-State consultation mechanisms on migration and works as global focal point for IOM’s participation in such mechanisms as a member, partner, observer or service provider. It is the focal point for IOM’s partnership with civil society  

United Nations Partnerships Division 

The United Nations Partnerships Division is the focal point for IOM’s institutional relationship and overarching liaison within the United Nations system, coordinating institutional participation in United Nations mechanisms and processes, follow-up to United Nations initiatives and partnerships with United Nations agencies. The Division provides guidance to IOM staff on engagement with United Nations coordination mechanisms, including United Nations country teams. The Division coordinates IOM’s positions and provides guidance on migration governance and policy. The Division is also responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key platforms and actors, including parliaments, cities and local authorities. 

Donor Relations Division 

The Donor Relations Division is the institutional focal point for donor liaison, private sector partnership building, mobilization of unearmarked funds, fundraising campaigns and guidance on donor reporting. Specifically, the Division’s functions include strengthening and diversifying IOM’s resources and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; developing and coordinating implementation of IOM’s institutional resource mobilization strategy; acting as secretariat for the Migration Resource Allocation committee; and maintaining – in collaboration with the Department of Operations and Emergencies – the Global Crisis Response Platform. Learn more 

Global Compact on Migration Unit 

The Global Compact on Migration Unit is the institutional focal point for the coordination of IOM support for implementation, follow-up and review of the Global Compact, as well as all matters related to IOM’s contributions to the United Nations Network on Migration. Its main responsibilities include coordinating IOM’s institutional contributions to the United Nations Network on Migration; coordinating IOM’s implementation of Network activities and initiatives; and coordinating IOM’s institutional support to Member States and stakeholders for Global Compact implementation, follow-up and review and relevant internal capacity-building. Learn more 

Department of Strategic Planning and Organizational Performance

The Department of Strategic Planning and Organizational Performance is responsible for consolidating IOM’s efforts to strengthen planning and reporting, including supporting the Deputy Director General for Management and Reform to deliver on the reforms under the Internal Governance Framework, such as the Business Transformation initiative. The Department brings together the organizational units tasked with the implementation of risk management, monitoring and evaluation, results-based management and operational compliance. 

Internal Governance Framework Unit 

The Internal Governance Framework Unit is responsible for leading the IGF reform agenda and for overseeing, monitoring and coordinating the broad-ranging initiatives under the Framework, in collaboration with relevant Departments. Through the established governance structures, including the IGF Board and the IGF Steering Committee, the Unit promotes ownership and accountability across the Organization for reforms under the auspices of the IGF. The Unit is responsible for the development and application of a change management strategy for the IGF and for supporting the Organization-wide framework governing delegation of authority. 

Risk Management Unit 

The Risk Management Unit oversees the development and implementation of the institutional risk management framework, including the adoption of risk appetite statements and protocols for reporting risk exposures to the Director General and across the Organization. The Unit is responsible for enhancing methodologies, tools and competencies to support risk-informed decision-making and assist IOM’s management, staff and partners to manage risks and seize opportunities in a more dynamic, consistent and integrated manner. 

Results-based Management Unit

The Results-based Management Unit leads results-based management at the institutional level. The Unit provides guidance to staff across the Organization on results-based management and strategic planning in line with the priorities of the IOM Strategic Vision 2019–2023 and as outlined in IOM’s Strategic Results Framework. The Unit promotes consistency in the reporting of institutional results at global, regional and country level, including through staff training and a dedicated results-based management community of practice. 

Central Evaluation Unit

The Central Evaluation Unit actively contributes to the oversight, accountability, transparency, strategic guidance and organizational leadership and learning of the Organization. The Unit also coordinates its activities with the other units in the Department – namely Results-based Management, Risk Management, Operational Compliance, Internal Governance Framework and PRIMA – to benefit from increased synergies. Learn more 

Operational Compliance Unit 

The Operational Compliance Unit oversees institutional compliance with IOM rules, regulations and policies through regular cross-functional reporting on compliance-related issues of concern to address recommendations made in external and internal audits and other internal and external Organization-wide reviews. The Unit aims to integrate structured, evidence-based and action-oriented information on internal governance matters, internal controls and compliance gaps through dedicated proactive management reviews of processes and systems in order to strengthen the Organization’s preventive response to emerging risks. 

PRIMA Unit 

The PRIMA Unit facilitates the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of the PRIMA system and provides support and guidance to users of the system (in conjunction with the Department of Information and Communications Technology). The Unit improves processes pertaining to the project lifecycle and provides analytical reporting capabilities which enhance the ability of IOM management to make data-driven decisions in their management of the IOM project portfolio. 

Media and Communications Unit

The Media and Communications Unit oversees all aspects of public communication in the Organization. It is responsible for the Organization’s communications and media to improve public understanding of migration, promote awareness of IOM’s policies and programmes, and position IOM at the centre of the broader ongoing debate surrounding migration in all its aspects. Learn more 

Governing Bodies Secretariat

The Governing Bodies Secretariat is the institutional focal point for relations with Member and observer States on governing body matters. As such, it is responsible for preparing and coordinating the sessions of the Council, the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance and its Working Groups and informal consultations. It is the focal point for information concerning meetings, for the preparation and editing of governing body documents in English and for the translation of IOM’s official documents and publications in the three official languages, and others as requested. The Secretariat is also responsible for conceptualizing and organizing the IDM, the Organization’s global forum for migration policy dialogue. Learn more 

Special Envoys of the Director General

The Special Envoys of the Director General are appointed on a temporary basis by the Director General to represent the Organization at the senior level on areas of critical importance to the Organization, related to either a specific geographic area or topic.

Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, maintains and strengthens IOM’s relations with the African Union, the Economic Commission for Africa, diplomatic missions and other relevant actors by contributing to their enhanced understanding of migration issues and migration governance actions. The Office works to enhance IOM’s strategic engagement with both of these bodies, particularly the African Union Commission, by ensuring the appropriate inclusion of migration in its developmental, political, social, and peace and security policy agendas. This relationship enables IOM to assist translating political decisions into practical programmatic and policy responses at regional and national levels. The Office is accredited to and works closely with the Economic Commission for Africa to mainstream migration into multilateral initiatives focusing on Africa. The Office works to ensure IOM Headquarters and regional and country offices in Africa are kept abreast of key decisions and new policy directions relating to migration by these bodies. The Special Liaison Office also has full country office responsibilities with the host government. Learn more

IOM Office to the United Nations in New York, United States of America

The IOM Office to the United Nations in New York, United States of America, is responsible for representing IOM within the United Nations system and performing strategic liaison functions with diplomatic missions, non-United Nations partners and NGOs in New York. The Office contributes to these stakeholders’ understanding of migration issues, including with respect to the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the Migration MPTF, by facilitating international policy dialogue on migration and by promoting the inclusion of migration and displacement in frameworks and agendas on peace and security, human and sustainable development and humanitarian responses. With much of the United Nations decision-making, multi-trust funds and coordination mechanisms taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Office works closely with United Nations secretariat departments/offices and agencies, funds and programmes headquartered and with presence in New York to enhance this collaboration. Learn more

Regional Offices

The regional offices oversee, plan, coordinate and support IOM activities within their region. They are responsible for project review and endorsement and provide technical support to country offices, particularly in the area of project development, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, resource management, and liaison coordination with regional and subregional governments, United Nations agencies and other key partners. Where requested, the regional offices also provide support for regional and national United Nations networks on migration, thereby supporting implementation of the Global Compact. They also support United Nations reform efforts, ensuring that migration is mainstreamed common country analyses and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. A brief description of the nine regional offices is outlined below.

Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand

The Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand, provides support to IOM offices in Asia and the Pacific; plans and coordinates IOM activities and maintains liaison and partnerships with governments, development partners and civil society within the region; provides technical support to governments to develop national migration frameworks and strengthen migration management systems, as well as in the areas of emergency and post-crisis response, including support for global Displacement Tracking Matrix operations, disaster risk reduction and climate change-induced migration; and manages the Asia-Pacific Regional Data Hub guided by the IOM Migration Data Strategy. The Office works closely with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, regional offices of United Nations agencies, Red Cross societies, stakeholder networks and other regional multilateral bodies, such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the Pacific Islands Forum and the Asian Development Bank; and provides programme and secretariat support for regional initiatives, including the Colombo Process and the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime and its Regional Support Office. Within the United Nations system reform process, the Regional Office actively engages with initiatives of the Regional Collaborative Platform for Asia and the Pacific and co-leads the Issue-Based Coalition on Human Mobility and Urbanization with UN-Habitat. Learn more

Regional Office in Brussels, Belgium

The Regional Office in Brussels, Belgium, provides support to IOM offices within the European Economic Area, and in Switzerland and the United Kingdom; maintains liaison and partnerships with governments, development partners and civil society within the region; and provides technical support to governments to develop national migration frameworks and strengthen migration governance systems. In addition to its regional functions, the Office provides, by virtue of its liaison role with the European Union institutions and agencies, a range of functions benefiting IOM offices worldwide. These include the Office’s coordination function in IOM’s institutional approaches to policies and activities in relation to the European Union; negotiations and an advisory role for the Organization as a whole and for IOM offices worldwide on European Union policies, programming and funding; liaison, on behalf of the Organization and its offices worldwide, with European Union institutions and agencies on matters of a political and financial nature; support for European Union dialogue with third countries on migration issues and liaison with regional bodies; and assistance in strengthening IOM’s relations and liaison with European Union institutions and agencies, including through the advancement of strategic cooperation on migration and the administrative and financial Framework Agreement. Furthermore, the Office coordinates IOM’s relations and liaison with NATO, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the World Customs Organization and other multilateral bodies with headquarters in the region. Learn more

Regional Office in Vienna, Austria

The Regional Office in Vienna, Austria, provides practical, technical and administrative support to IOM offices in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia; works to implement projects in those countries where IOM presence is limited; provides technical support to governments to develop national migration frameworks and strengthen migration management systems; leads the implementation of migration governance strategies and policy frameworks, coordinates IOM activities and maintains liaison and partnerships with governments, development and humanitarian partners, and civil society within the region. Under the direction of Headquarters, the Regional Office liaises with United Nations agencies and other international organizations based in the city. Regarding the inter-State consultation mechanisms on migration that are active in the region and are important for shaping migration policy, IOM and UNHCR provide the technical secretariat for the Almaty Process, and IOM participates in meetings of the Budapest Process, the Prague Process and the European Union Eastern Partnership. As a member of the regional United Nations Sustainable Development Group and a core member of the Regional United Nations System Meeting for Europe and Central Asia, the Office engages with and informs partners about developments in the area of migration. The Office is an active participant in the issue-based coalitions and similar United Nations coordination mechanisms, acting as co-chair of the Issue-Based Coalition on Large Movements of People, Displacement and Resilience, together with UNHCR and UNDP. Learn more

Regional Office in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Regional Office in Buenos Aires, Argentina, provides support to IOM offices in South America, plans and coordinates activities and maintains liaison and partnerships with governments, development partners and civil society within the region; conducts research and publishes studies on migration issues in the region; provides technical support to governments to develop national migration frameworks and strengthen migration management systems; acts as the technical secretariat for the South American Conference on Migration and for the Ibero-American Network of Immigration Authorities; works with and provides technical support to subregional integration processes like the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and its specialized body on migrations issues, the Specialized Forum on Migration; and liaises with multilateral institutions based in the region, such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and its Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) and the Pacific Alliance. Within the framework of the United Nations system reform, the Regional Office actively participates in the Regional Collaborative Platform and co-leads the Issue-Based Coalition on Human Mobility together with UNHCR, ECLAC and UNICEF. The Office also coordinates and provides administrative support to the Office of the Special Envoy for the Regional Response to the Venezuela Situation, located in Panama. Learn more

Regional Office in San José, Costa Rica

The Regional Office in San José, Costa Rica, provides support to IOM offices in Central America, North America and the Caribbean; plans and coordinates strategies and activities within the region and maintains liaison and partnerships with governments, development partners and civil society; provides technical support to governments to develop national migration frameworks and strengthen migration management systems; works with the Regional Conference on Migration and other relevant subregional and regional processes, such as the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Central American Commission of Directors of Migration, and the Caribbean Community; and liaises with regional multilateral institutions, such as the Organization of American States, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Pan American Health Organization. Learn more

Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt

The Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt, provides support to IOM offices in the Middle East and North Africa through technical advice, training and the formulation of strategies, processes, projects and programmes; and promotes and facilitates international dialogue, partnerships and coordinated migration policy development and programming between States, international organizations, NGOs and civil society among other key stakeholders. The Regional Office further supports regional consultative processes such as the Abu Dhabi Dialogue and the Arab Regional Consultative Process on Migration and Refugee Affairs; and maintains liaison and partnerships with regional organizations, in particular the League of Arab States and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia – with which, with the International Labour Organization, IOM co-convenes the Issue Based Coalition on Migration in the Arab Region. The Office also works with other regional entities, such as the Arab Labour Organization, and the Arab Parliament and seeks to shape a common platform of response and preparedness for migration crises in the region; and promotes and undertakes information-sharing and research to help national, regional and international partners carry out evidence-based advocacy, policy development and programming, including by hosting the North Africa Mixed Migration Hub on behalf of the North Africa Mixed Migration Task Force. It furthermore undertakes regional public information activities to contribute to IOM’s visibility and to promote its activities at the regional and global levels. Learn more

Regional Office in Pretoria, South Africa

The Regional Office in Pretoria, South Africa, provides support to fifteen IOM offices in the Southern African Development Community member countries; plans and coordinates activities and maintains liaison and partnerships with governments, development partners and civil society within the region; provides technical support to governments and the Regional Economic Communities to develop national and regional migration frameworks and strengthen migration management systems; promotes the RCPs for Southern African States; serves as a link between migration and development and the Secretariats of the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union New Partnership for Africa’s Development; and works with the Secretariats of the Southern African Development Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Commission to enhance regional cooperation and dialogue on migration. It also serves as the Secretariat for the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA) to facilitate inter-State dialogue and intra-regional cooperation on migration. The Office also hosts the Regional Migration Data Hub for Southern Africa to provide technical and capacity-building support to Member States in migration data collection, analysis and dissemination for evidence-based policies at the national and regional level. Learn more

Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya

The Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya, provides technical and thematic support to IOM offices in East Africa and the Horn of Africa; maintains liaison and partnerships with governments, Regional Economic Communities, development partners and civil society within the region; maintains and strengthens IOM’s relations with the WHO Regional Office for Africa, the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Eastern Africa Regional Collaborative Centre of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to enhance regional cooperation and dialogue on migration and contributing to their enhanced understanding of migration issues; works to implement regional programmes, as approved by the Director General; supports evidence-based migration policies, practices and dialogues as well as humanitarian operations through the collection, harmonization, analysis and dissemination of migration- and displacement-related data sets; provides technical support to governments to develop national migration frameworks and strengthen migration management systems; promotes the RCPs for States in East and the Horn of Africa; maintains liaison with the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the United Nations Environment Programme, UN-Habitat and other United nations agencies; promotes inter-agency cooperation through the formation of a migration group for regional United Nations partners; and maintains relationships with development partners. The Office also undertakes regional and global public information activities to contribute to IOM’s visibility and to promote its activities with counterparts and development partners at the regional and global levels and promotes building institutional memory through knowledge-sharing and knowledge management within the region. Learn more

Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal

The Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal, provides support to IOM offices in West and Central Africa; plans and coordinates activities and maintains liaison and partnerships with governments, development partners and civil society within the region; provides governments with technical support to develop national migration frameworks and strengthen migration management systems; liaises with and provides capacity-building support to ECOWAS and the Economic Community of Central African States; and promotes and supports regional dialogue processes, such as the Migration Dialogue for West Africa and the Migration Dialogue for Central African States. It also liaises with other United Nations system organizations, including the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, and represents IOM in the United Nations Sustainable Development Group for Western and Central Africa. Learn more