The Ombuds Blog: International Organization for Migration Selects Ombuds for Kenya

August 19, 2025

International Organization for Migration Selects Ombuds for Kenya

In June, Hans Kohler was hired as a Conflict Resolution Officer (Ombuds) for IOM, the intergovernmental organization that promotes international cooperation on migration issues. Stationed in Nairobi, Kohler is part of the IOM Office of the Ombudsperson and Mediation Services and assists staff members with employment issues following IOA standards.

Kohler brings over 15 years of experience in conflict resolution to the position. Among other positions, he has worked as an Ombuds for EG Hospitality and the UN in New York. Most recently, he has been a coach with Bravely for the past five years. Kohler has also been the Associate Editor of the Journal of IOA since 2018. He graduated from the University of Southern California and earned an MS in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at Columbia University. (LinkedIn.)

2 comments:

Laurel Gordon8/25/2025 9:09 AM
Congratulations, Hans!
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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany/Austria -- Ombudspersonen and Ombudsleute

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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