IOM Moldova Chief of Mission

Ester Ruiz de Azua has officially assumed the position of Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Republic of Moldova in July 2024.
Ester has worked for close to 20 years leading and overseeing complex and diverse operations in Africa, Europe, America and the Middle East.

Prior to her current role, Ester served IOM as the Emergency and Post-crisis Programme Coordinator in Ethiopia (2019-2024) and Ukraine (2014-2019), where she coordinated the humanitarian response to the displacement crisis, supported the stabilization and recovery efforts, and promoted the integration and social cohesion of migrants and host communities. She joined IOM in 2010 as Project Manager and Grants Manager in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) in Haiti, and then as Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Coordinator in South Sudan (2014).

Her professional experiences include leading roles for NGOs operating in Lebanon, Georgia, and Niger.

Ester is a Spanish national with a bachelor’s degree in Law from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and postgraduate degrees in EU Law, Trade Technician, International Development Agent, and International Electoral Observation, obtained from the University of Barcelona, the Polytechnic University of Barcelona, and the University of Valencia.
Ester has extensive experience in managing migration challenges and opportunities in contexts of crisis, transition and development.