During her career with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Renate Held served in various capacities, among them: Regional Representative, IOM Mission with Regional Functions for the Andean States in Lima, Peru (2010 until present); Inspector General responsible for oversight, project rapid assessment, audit, evaluation, and investigation at IOM Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland (2000-2010).

Regional Representative, Mission with Regional Functions for the European Union (EU) Member States and the Baltic States with additional responsibility for fundraising and liaison with the European Union in Brussels, Belgium (1998-1999) and various functions of ascending responsibility in the IOM Bonn field mission in Germany and participation in IOM operations in Turkey, Northern Iraq, Tanzania, Mozambique and Bosnia & Herzegovina (1987-1998).

Held holds a Master's degree in Social Science and Psychology from the University of Bonn. She speaks German, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.