About

Learn more about me

Ms. Maureen Achieng, a native of Kenya, has devoted over 25 years to public service. She served as Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to Ethiopia and represented the African Union, UNECA, and IGAD. She headed the International Partnerships Division at IOM Headquarters in Geneva, focusing on global cooperation and dialogue on migration. From 2004 to 2007, she was IOM Chief of Mission in Haiti, leading a national community stabilization program. Ms. Achieng has also worked in IOM offices in Kosovo, Senegal, and Kenya. Before joining IOM in 1995, she worked with NGOs in Kenya on environment, climate change, and human settlements. She holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Birmingham and a bachelor’s degree in Education from Kenyatta University.

Skills

Leadership 100%
Inter-state cooperation100%
Strategic Planning 100%
Peace and Security 90%
Community Engagement 90%
Data-driven Decision Making 90%
Foreign Policy 90%
Governance 100%
Democracy Promotion 100%
Negotiation 100%
Management 90%
Business Strategy 90%
Program Management 90%
Peace Building 90%

Achievements

Developed and delivered the first-ever Africa Migration Report, an IOM-African Union Initiative bringing together nine other UN agencies

Successfully chaired over a two-year period the United Nations Liaison Team (UNLT)




Established the first-ever UN Migration Working Group in Ethiopia in 2016.





Initiated collaboration on the first-ever Africa Integration Report, a joint IOM-UNDP effort




One of three top finalists for the position of IOM Deputy Director General.




Earned the IOM Director General’s Award in 2005 for my ‘many accomplishments and strong leadership’



Earned recognition from the Attorney General’s Office for the continued support to the Federal Anti-Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants Taskforce.

Initiated groundbreaking programming responses to persistent and complex migration challenges in Haiti and Ethiopia.

Earned recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the work of IOM Ethiopia in supporting safe and dignified return of Ethiopian migrants


Revamped the AU-HoAI inter-state consultative mechanism on trafficking and smuggling.



Resume

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Education

Master of Social Science, Development Administration

1993 - 1994

University of Birmingham Master of Social Science, Development Administration

Professional Experience

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF IGAD TO THE AFRICAN UNION

2022 - Present

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

In this role, I develop and nurture the relationship between IGAD and the AU, acting as the primary focal point for action with the AU. I establish functional relations between IGAD divisions and departments of the African Union Commission (AUC), cementing IGAD's position as a building block of the AU alongside other Regional Economic Communities (RECs). I monitor institutional and policy changes within the AU, particularly those affecting IGAD, and communicate these to IGAD HQ with proposed actions. I collaborate with the AUC to identify opportunities for enhancing continental integration and governance initiatives, including increased cooperation with other RECs. I represent IGAD in AU meetings, deliver statements on behalf of the IGAD Executive Secretary, engage in discussions, particularly in the AU Peace and Security Council and the Permanent Representatives Council, and report to relevant IGAD divisions as needed. Additionally, I engage with donors in Addis Ababa on behalf of IGAD divisions and departments, focusing on key program priorities related to peace and security, economic integration, and climate mitigation and adaptation, as outlined in the AU strategic framework document, Agenda 2063.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM) CHIEF OF MISSION AND REPRESENTATIVE TO THE AFRICAN UNION, UNECA, IGAD

2015 - 2022

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

I led and oversaw the development of a national migration strategy for Ethiopia, fostering collaboration among ministries through the National Partnership Coalition. I initiated a UN Country Team Working Group and engaged donors to address displacement issues, while promoting community dialogues to curb irregular migration. Additionally, I aided in drafting anti-trafficking laws and advised on global migration trends. I expanded IOM Ethiopia into Africa's largest office, elevating its budget from $20M to nearly $150M annually. Establishing a UN Migration Network groundwork, I shaped migration discourse nationally. I nurtured relationships with key multilateral institutions: the African Union Commission (AUC), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Within these partnerships, I led discussions and initiatives to improve migration governance in Africa, notably driving the adoption of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons under the Africa Economic Community Treaty and overseeing impactful studies like the IOM-AUC 2018 report on Free Movement in Africa. Additionally, I expanded IOM's collaboration with AUC, supported high-level consultations with UNECA, and localized the Migration Policy Framework in the IGAD region, fostering regional migration policy harmonization.

IOM HEAD, INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION

2010 - 2015

Geneva, Switzerland

I provided strategic assistance for various inter-state consultation mechanisms on migration, which encompassed the Regional Consultative Processes on Migration (RCPs), the Global Forum on Migration & Development (GFMD), and collaboration with the UN High Level Dialogue on International Migration & Development (UN/HLD). A key achievement was the initiation of an information hub to facilitate IOM support across sixteen RCPs spanning all regions worldwide. Additionally, I led efforts in coordinating IOM contributions to three iterations of the GFMD, including the development of essential background materials. I also promoted collaboration within the Global Migration Group (GMG) to ensure a unified approach among UN agencies involved in global migration discussions. Alongside, I managed relationships with other UN agencies within the GMG and civil society organizations focusing on migration issues. Furthermore, I integrated Futures Thinking methodology into the division's operations, aligning with similar initiatives addressing global megatrends by other relevant entities.

IOM, SENIOR MIGRATION POLICY OFFICER

2009 - 2010

Geneva, Switzerland

IOM SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

2008 - 2009

Geneva, Switzerland

IOM REGIONAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION SPECIALIST

2007 - 2008

Dakar Region, Senegal

IOM CHIEF OF MISSION TO HAITI

2004 - 2007

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

IOM, TECHNICAL COOPERATION SPECIALIST

2002 - 2004

Geneva, Switzerland

IOM, PROGRAM MANAGER

2001 - 2002

Kosovo

IOM, DEPUTY PROGRAM MANAGER

2000 - 2001

Kosovo

IOM, PROGRAM MANAGER

1998 - 1999

Nairobi, Kenya

IOM, TEAM LEADER/HEAD OF SUB-OFFICE (UNV)

1995 - 1996

Haiti

Airticles and Publications

Regional and inter-regional processes: Advancing the discourse and action on migration and development.

Africa Migration Report: Challenging the narrative.

Managing Haitian Migratory Flows to the Dominican Republic: The Challenges and Opportunities.

Managing Migration in the Wake of September 11: Implications for a Cost-Benefit Analysis.

What is wrong with the Narrative on African Migration

A Force for Good: The Global Compact Aims to Make Migration Safer

Gallery

Contact

Contact Me

Social Profiles

Email Me:

info@maureenachieng.com

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