The Global Campaign is managed and co-ordinated by a Campaign Secretariat situated institutionally in the Shelter Branch of the Shelter and Sustainable Human Settlements Development Division of UN-HABIAT. The Campaign Secretariat assumes the day-to-day management of the campaign objectives and related outputs and activities. It liaises with active member states, federations of organizations of the urban poor, women's coalitions, supporting NGO networks, professional associations, associations of local authorities, primarily though not exclusively through steering committee structures.

UN-HABITAT Regional offices in collaboration with the Campaign secretariat select countries for campaign launches and other campaign related activities. Emphasis is placed on countries that have the capacity to carry out preparation of new campaigns and support the implementation of action plans as decided in previous launches, so that the campaigns translate in actual improvement of conditions of slum dwellers. In addition consideration is given to countries where the two campaigns Urban Governance and secure tenure can be launched together.

The strength and ultimate impact of the Global Campaign for Secure Tenure will be realised in individual settlements and cities by local actors that are successful in utilising the Global Campaign to introduce new initiatives or revitalise existing ones. The operational framework of the Global Campaign reflects this reality. It delegates responsibility and authority to local actors, supports the efforts of local actors, and ensures the centrality of women and organisations of the urban poor are given institutional expression.

Steering committees at regional, sub-regional, national and municipal level play a crucial role in the implementation of the Global Campaign.

Regarding organisations of the United Nations and International development agencies, the Global Campaign has established agreements and MOUs and other formal working arrangements. The Cities Alliance (C.A.) serves as a facility for channelling investments towards the development of slum-upgrading frameworks. The United Nations Housing Rights Programme, a component of the Global Campaign for Secure Tenure, is implemented jointly by UN-HABITAT and OHCHR, and in close collaboration with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on adequate housing.

Where possible the Global Campaign encourages and supports peer exchange and learning among strategic partners within the expanding network of the Global Campaign. Further, it supports the efforts of existing international networks of federations of slum dwellers and supporting NGOs, such as Slum Dwellers International and Homeless International that have pioneered the practice of peer exchange.