In diplomatic usage, Head of Mission (HOM) or Chief of Mission (COM) from the French "Chef de mission" (CDM) is the generic term used to refer to the head of a diplomatic representation, such as an Ambassador, High Commissioner, Nuncio, Chargé d'affaires, Permanent Representative, and sometimes to a Consul-General or Consul. Depending on the context, it may also refer to the heads of certain international organization's representative offices. Certain other titles or usages that would qualify as a head of mission or equivalent also exist. While they are primarily referred to by the other titles mentioned above, it is common for the diplomatic corps of several countries to use Deputy Head of Mission or Deputy Chief of Mission as the primary title for the second in command.
In diplomatic missions and foreign services where Ambassadors may be political appointees rather than career diplomats, the deputy chief of mission may be the senior career foreign service professional and generally understood to be more than a "deputy."
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