Yoselyn Manzano Andrade
Migration Governance Specialist
Geneva
Summary
Lawyer and Migration Governance Specialist with a decade of experience in legal and policy analysis, project management, and international cooperation, committed to diversity and inclusion, with a proactive and results-driven approach to complex migration challenges. With over five years at the UN Migration Agency (IOM), leading the conceptualization, proposal development, and implementation of migration-related initiatives, interagency coordination, communications, reporting, donor relations, and resource mobilization. Field experiences working with marginalized groups, including GBV and human trafficking survivors, refugees, non-regularized migrants, and Indigenous communities in Panama, Uganda, and The Gambia.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Migration Policy Officer
IOM
Geneva
10.2020 - Current
- Lead The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) global program and served as officer-in-charge, implementing 24 annual assessments to strengthen migration management systems and managing project budgeting and donor reporting
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative research and analysis on global migration trends, collaborating with government officials, UN partners, and academia to support evidence-based policymaking
- Organize over a dozen annual field visits to engage national and local stakeholders, present MGI results, conduct training sessions, and promote their integration into policy development and program design
- Secured over $500K in new funding and sustained an annual contribution of $1.7M through strategic partnerships to expand migration governance initiatives driven by the MGI process
- Led the expansion of the local MGI from 3 pilot cities to 100+ local governments across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe
- Secured a Memorandum of Understanding with FLACMA, representing 16,000 + municipalities.
Programme Support Officer (short-term Assignment)
IOM
12.2023 - 01.2024
- Supervised the Programme Support Unit (PSU), overseeing Project Development, Reporting, Knowledge Management, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), including staff supervision
- Led the development of the new country strategy, aligning with IOM’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028, coordinating with senior leadership, government counterparts, the UN, and other key stakeholders
- Spearheaded the organization of the National Dialogue of Migration, from securing over 200 participants and speakers, coordinating logistics, and preparing background papers for thematic discussions ensuring meaningful dialogue on key migration issues.
Project Officer
02.2020 - 10.2020
- Established IOM’s first-ever Counter Trafficking in Emergencies digital platform, a comprehensive resource hub for global practitioners, and organized its successful launch and communication campaign, reaching over a thousand visits in its first week
- Led the validation and launch of Counter-Trafficking in Emergencies: Information Management Guide at the Global Protection Forum, working with key UN partners and reinforcing IOM’s role as co-chair of the Anti-Trafficking Task Team.
Building and Knowledge Management Consultant
IOM
07.2019 - 12.2019
- Developed a new methodology within the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative to strengthen thematic analysis in areas such as counter-trafficking, internal displacement, and climate change
- Designed targeted engagement strategies that improved government responses to migration policy gaps
- Established the first MGI advisory board, bringing together IOM thematic experts to integrate gender, human rights, and climate change into migration governance, ensuring alignment with IOM’s strategic priorities.
Project Support Consultant
IOM
03.2019 - 07.2019
- Collected quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the comprehensiveness of migration policies in Panama and Belize, collaborating with government officials, academia, and UN partners to develop a roadmap for the countries’ first national migration policies
- Monitored and reported on the needs of vulnerable migrant groups transiting Panama’s borders, including GBV survivors, human trafficking victims, refugees and non-regularized migrants, coordinating essential support such as medical transportation and emergency aid.
Multilateral Processes Division Intern
09.2018 - 03.2019
- Coordinated high-level multilateral meetings, preparing reports on global migration policies and processes
- Analyzed ongoing UN reform initiatives and their implications for IOM's strategic objectives.
Media and Public Relations Intern
Consulate Of Panama
05.2017 - 08.2018
- Drafted press releases and organized meetings and events to elevate the Consulate’s visibility.
- Managed the Consulate's social media accounts and responded to inquiries from the public.
Advocacy and Liaison Officer
International Network of Human Rights
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Established partnerships with international stakeholders including engaging with the UN Human Rights Council and national human rights associations in Latin America, driving human rights advocacy through strategic communication and outreach with the diplomatic missions in Geneva, notably for the Universal Periodic Review of Guatemala and the Child's Rights Committee evaluation of Panama.
Policy and Legal Advisor
National Authority for Land Administration
09.2014 - 06.2016
- Advocated for indigenous land rights, coordinating with stakeholders to ensure legal compliance and the protection of human rights.
- Conducted gender analysis to assess barriers faced by women, particularly in Indigenous communities, to own and work their lands.
Education
Master of Science - International Organizations And Cooperation
University of Barcelona
Barcelona 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Law And Political Science
Universidad Santa Maria La Antigua
Panama 04.2001 -
Skills
Migration Policy & Governance: Expertise supporting evidence-based migration policymaking and strategic alignment with global frameworks
Project Management:Extensive experience leading multi-country and multi-year projects in high-stakes regions
Stakeholder Engagement: Strong in identifying partnerships, securing funding, and establishing MoUs with governments, UN agencies, private sector and academia
Capacity Building:Skilled in delivering training programs to strengthen governments’ policy capacity
Research & Data Analysis: Collecting and analyzing data, applying findings for strategic recommendations
Communication & Outreach: Developing high-impact communication strategies for regional and global initiatives
Timeline
Programme Support Officer (short-term Assignment)
IOM
12.2023 - 01.2024
Migration Policy Officer
IOM
10.2020 - Current
Project Officer
02.2020 - 10.2020
Building and Knowledge Management Consultant
IOM
07.2019 - 12.2019
Project Support Consultant
IOM
03.2019 - 07.2019
Multilateral Processes Division Intern
09.2018 - 03.2019
Advocacy and Liaison Officer
International Network of Human Rights
08.2017 - 07.2018
Media and Public Relations Intern
Consulate Of Panama
05.2017 - 08.2018
Policy and Legal Advisor
National Authority for Land Administration
09.2014 - 06.2016
Master of Science - International Organizations And Cooperation
University of Barcelona
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Law And Political Science
Universidad Santa Maria La Antigua
04.2001 -
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