Multilateral Aid Review summary - International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

IOM is a humanitarian agency that leads on camp co-ordination and management in natural disasters. It is a reactive project-based independent organisation working in over 100 countries. DFID and UKBA each pay 50% of the UK’s membership (total £1.72m in 2010). DFID funding for emergency relief is approx £5m per year.

	comment
Contribution to UK development objectives	Weak
	_	IOM does not have a development or humanitarian mandate and only fills a marginal gap in the international humanitarian architecture.
	+	IOM has historically been a key UK partner on migration management on a project-by-project basis, which gives it flexibility. The same flexibility has allowed IOM to often contribute effectively to the international response to humanitarian emergencies
	+	IOM has a history of working in fragile and conflict states. It has a Division (EPC) dedicated to coordinating its work in emergency and post-crisis contexts.
	_	IOM has policies, structures and incentives to promote gender equality but unclear whether these have had an impact.
	_	IOM has climate change and environment strategies.  However, resource allocations that incorporate climate change could only occur if a donor came forward to fund such activities.
	_	IOM do not have a humanitarian footprint in all countries of greatest humanitarian need.
Organisational strengths	Weak
	+	IOM has low overhead rates and has controlled costs by reducing back office costs and staff costs and their budget structure and expenditure is transparent.
	_	IOM’s lack of protection mandate limits its ability to integrate beneficiary voices into their projects
	_	DFID’s experience of IOM’s cluster leadership in country varies
	+	IOM has wide-ranging partnerships globally and building collaborative partnerships including with regional groupings and UN agencies is a priority for IOM
	_	IOM does not have a mandate based on international law(there is no international treaty or convention on migration).  Its mandate established by its Constitution is not development or humanitarian orientated.
	_	IOM have very limited financial flexibility because of its projectised nature which does not enable it to make long-term commitments or adapt its financial instruments to each situation. IOM has worked effectively with a wide range of partners.
Capacity for positive change	Uncertain
	_	IOM has made good progress on internal reforms including structural reforms of HQ and field offices, and introducing best practice in HR and financial management.
	+	It is an independent projectised organisation which DFID and UKBA only seek to influence on a project basis.