INTERNSHIP – LABOUR MOBILITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION (LMI) UNIT AND COUNTER-TRAFFICKING (CT) UNIT

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration.

The Internship Programme aims at attracting talented students and graduates who have a specific interest in, or whose studies have covered, areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities. Interns must be between 20 and 36 years old and should have less than two years of relevant working experience.

In general, the Internship Programme aims at attracting talented students and graduates who:

a) have a specific interest in, or whose studies have covered, areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities;

b) are holding a scholarship for internship placements in international organizations and/or for whom internship is required to complete their studies; or

c) are sponsored by governmental/non governmental institutions and/or academia to work in specific areas relevant to both IOM and the sponsor.

d) are either enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) or have graduated in the last 12 months.

e) are between 20 and 36 years of age.

f) the intern will be working for the IOM CO for Austria (Vienna) starting per 1 August 2026;
g) only shortlisted candidates will be contacted;
h) the duration of the internship is until 30/09/2026 (with the possibility of extension to a maximum of six months);
i) the internship can be either on a part-time basis with a minimum 30 hours per week or on a full-time basis with 39.3 hours per week;
j) interviews with IOM staff are conducted virtually;
k) costs and arrangements for travel to the duty station upon commencement and conclusion of the internship, visas and all related expenses are the responsibility of interns and/or their sponsoring institutions.

Background Information

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM works with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration and uphold the well-being and human rights of migrants (for further information please visit https://www.iom.int).

IOM Country Office for Austria

The main responsibility of the IOM Country Office for Austria is to analyse national migration issues and emerging
trends to develop and implement projects and programmes to address these. The Country Office for Austria includes six units: the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Unit; the Counter-Trafficking Unit; the Labour Mobility & Social Inclusion Unit; the Operations Unit; the Policy Research and Migration Law Unit; and the Resource Management Unit (for further information please visit https://austria.iom.int).

The Labour Mobility & Social Inclusion Unit
IOM Austria supports the two-way integration process through a number of well-established activities with the
following focus:

▪ Engagement with receiving communities and local authorities: capacity building programmes for local communities consist of training and information sessions on topics such as the cultural profiles of migrants as
well as intercultural communication and conflict management;

▪ Engagement with migrants and the media: highlight the positive contributions of migrants, address negative perceptions of migrants and offer a platform for migrants to tell their own stories by helping them develop skills such as film making and digital storytelling;

▪ Empowerment of migrants regarding civic participation: provide civic education through greater engagement with local authorities, linguistic and cross-cultural mediators and migrant organizations and improve knowledge regarding protection against discrimination (for further information please visit: https://austria.iom.int/integration).

The Counter-Trafficking Unit
IOM Austria assists in building the capacities of Austrian stakeholders to identify potential trafficked persons and
conducts awareness raising activities on human trafficking for the general public. IOM furthermore contributes to
policymaking, including the National Action Plan against Human Trafficking, through a variety of channels. Direct
support is available in the form of airport assistance and, when possible, an in-kind reintegration grant for trafficked
persons who wish to return to their countries of origin (for further information please visit: https://austria.iom.
int/counter-trafficking).

Responsibilities

Learning Objectives

The LMI/CT intern in the IOM Country Office for Austria will mainly perform duties related to the implementation of integration and counter-trafficking projects, comprising numerous trainings and workshops. The main responsibilities are:

• Assisting IOM Austria to implement project activities regarding integration and counter trafficking;
• Provision of administrative and organizational support in compiling the content of trainings and relevant
materials;
• Assisting in drafting and editing newsletter articles, brochures, narrative reports and other texts;
• Assisting in translating and proofreading of project-related documents (English/German);
• Attending meetings and conferences related to the assigned working areas as well as taking minutes;
• Providing support in organizing events, meetings and travel;
• Assisting in research activities;
• Assisting in the conduct of (virtual) trainings;
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Minimum Bachelor Level Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Migration Studies, Law,
Social Science or related fields.

Skills

• Affinity for IT and competent handling virtual events are an asset;
• Comprehensive knowledge of migration and asylum governance in Austria and the EU;
• Work experience with an international organization is an asset;
• Strong social and intercultural skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong personal commitment.

Languages

• Excellent oral and written command of German and English;
• Oral and written command of other languages are an asset.

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.