Biography: IOM Deputy Director General for Operations

Ugochi Daniels

Ms. Ugochi Daniels was appointed as IOM's Deputy Director General of Operations, taking office on September 1, 2021. Prior to joining IOM, Ugochi Daniels was the Chief of Staff at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), covering Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She was also the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 2018 to 2020. From 2013 to 2018, Ugochi Daniels was the Chief of the Humanitarian and Fragile Contexts Branch at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Headquarters, covering over seventy countries where UNFPA was responding to emergencies. Her stint at UNFPA includes assignments in the Philippines (Country Representative, 2010–2013) and Nepal (Deputy Representative, 2007–2010). 

Ms. Daniels joined the UNFPA in 2002 as the Deputy Program Manager for Africa Youth Alliance (2002–2007), covering Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, and Uganda. Prior to joining the UN, Ms. Daniels was the Monitoring and Evaluation Information Specialist of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Nigeria from 1999 to 2002. Ms. Daniels also has private sector experience, having worked in the information technology, manufacturing, and financial services industries from 1992 to 1999.  

Ms. Daniels is recognized as a UN (S)hero for her advocacy of women's health in humanitarian emergencies and her commitment to protecting human rights and promoting peace. She is dedicated to solving global problems through peace and development partnerships and emphasizes justice, equality, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Geography, a Post-graduate Diploma in Information Management for Business Decisions and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.

Download here IOM Deputy Director General for Operations' biography.