The Country Office

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been working in Ireland since 2001. We’re working to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration; to promote international cooperation on migration issues; to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems; and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. The IOM Ireland Dublin office boasts a very diverse group of staff hailing from more than 30 different countries across the world. 

MEET THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

ZUZANA VATRALOVA

Zuzana Vatralova, currently the Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration in Ireland, holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia, along with a Post-Graduation degree from the Institute of Foreign Relations, Law Faculty of the same university.

With a career that spans various notable roles, including serving as Program Assistant in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, a radio producer for BBC World Service, and a project manager at UNIDO, Zuzana's expertise is also highlighted by her contributions as office director at IOM Slovakia since 2003.

A reflection of her accomplishments, she was honored with the Golden Plaque of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs during the United Nations Week in Slovakia in 2021. 

BETHZYMARA CARRERA

Bethzymara (Mara) Carrera is our Head of Source Management. She is an experienced Resource Management Professional with a robust background in overseeing financial and administrative activities within the International Organisation for Migration. With nearly a decade of progressive responsibility, she has effectively led teams and managed resources in diverse locations including Federate States of Micronesia, Erbil, Iraq, Africa - Mali, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Guatemala. Her expertise spans a wide range of financial management, budgeting, and project analysis, contributing to successful project development and execution.

Mara holds a Financial and International Business Management Licenciate degree from the Universidad Latina in Panama along with a Master's degree in Comptrollership and Management Auditing from the same university.

EGIDE DHALA

Egide is the current National Programme Officer at IOM Ireland. Before joining IOM, he co-founded and led the implementation of Wezesha, the African Diaspora-led development Organisation based in Ireland and working mainly in Africa. Egide has been leading community Education in Africa with a particular focus on Women affected by violence and poverty as part of his commitment for social justice and equality.

He has taught several years as occasional lecturer in the Maynooth University Adult Education Department on Trends and Migration Issues while managing the Centre for the Education and Integration of Migrants at SPIRASI in Ireland. He previously taught philosophy and Canon Law in Kimmage Institute of Theology (Dublin) and in the Catholic University in DR Congo.

ANGELICA TRINDADE

Angelica has been the Senior Communications Assistant at IOM Ireland since April 2022. 

Previously, she worked in strategic planning, research and communication with non-profit organizations and private sector companies in Brazil, where she worked for 6 years. She is passionate about human rights having had an enriching experience of volunteering with vulnerable groups in Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Egypt and Brazil.

Angelica holds a degree in Communications and a postgraduate diploma in Market Intelligence and Social Media planning from the Higher School of Advertising and Marketing in Sao Paulo. She also completed her Master’s in International Development at Trinity College Dublin focusing on migration and gender research with her thesis entitled: Identity, Social Construction of Gender and Migration: A Study of the Experience of Brazilian Immigrant Women in Ireland.

KAREN LAHEEN

Karen is currently a National Project Officer for IOM Ireland managing the Transfer Project which supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in Ireland to move into transitional accommodation settings. She studied at SOAS University of London where she received an MSc in Migration, Mobility and Development.

Karen has worked with IOM since 2020, previously in the London office focusing on projects related to regularisation of rights for vulnerable migrants in the UK and across Europe. Previously, she worked in international development and focused on a range of thematic areas such as health, informal settlements, violence against women and girls and the rights of children. Much of this work involved managing grants and initiatives largely based in regions across Sub Saharan Africa.

Karen has been specialising in forced migration and human rights issues for the past number of years working on developing route based funding strategies and managing programmes focused on human trafficking, utilising remittances, diaspora and sending community support and research into human rights violations faced by migrants on the move. 

MARINA DIMITRIJEVIC

Marina is the current National Programme Officer at IOM Ireland managing the Movements Operations unit. She is a professional with over a decade of expertise in program management within the realm of international development and programming.

Since 2017 Marina has been working with UNHCR, IFRC, and IOM in emergency migrant and refugee coordination response specialising in Camp Coordination Management, Protection Interventions, Cash-Based Interventions, Interagency Coordination, as well as Movement Operations (AVRR, Resettlement & Family Reunification). 
Marina holds a BA in Political Science, an MA in Global Media and is currently finalizing her Master’s in Public Health; she is fully fluent in 3 languages. 

JULIE BOURGADE