Psychosocial Support Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM) is an organization established to support the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes in Syria. The IIIM operates under the auspices of the United Nations and is dedicated to ensuring accountability for violations of international law. The organization is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and aims to provide justice for victims and support for witnesses. It employs a diverse team of professionals and collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of its initiatives.

Job Overview:
The psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support Intern position is situated within the Operational Support Section (OSS) of the IIIM. The primary goal of this internship is to enhance the ongoing initiatives of the IIIM and improve the quality of psychosocial services offered to both staff and beneficiaries. The intern will gain practical experience in organizational and forensic psychology, which will be beneficial for their future career paths. The OSS is tasked with ensuring that the safety and well-being of victims and witnesses are maintained, particularly in relation to their cooperation with the Mechanism. The intern will work closely with the Witness Support Officer (WSO) to evaluate existing support services and explore new opportunities for service enhancement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Psychosocial Support Intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks aimed at supporting the IIIM's objectives. These include assisting in the implementation of the Staff Well-being and Positive Employee Experience strategic objective, interpreting data from the Annual Well-being and Employee Engagement Survey, and providing support to the IIIM Workgroup on Well-being and Employee Engagement. The intern will also conduct research on best practices in psychosocial support for staff and witnesses, design materials for staff support for the Support to Staff online page, and draft meeting minutes. These responsibilities will provide the intern with a comprehensive understanding of the psychosocial support landscape within an international organization.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must fulfill one of the following criteria: (a) be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Candidates should be pursuing or have pursued their degree in fields related to the internship, such as Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or Forensic Psychology. While professional work experience is not required for the UN Internship Programme, a relevant field of study is essential. Candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams, and the ability to design surveys and polls is desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or being enrolled in or having completed a Master’s or Ph.D. program. Candidates must have a strong academic foundation in areas related to psychology, particularly those that align with the responsibilities of the internship.

Experience:
While the UN Internship Programme does not require professional work experience, candidates should have a strong academic background in a relevant field of study. This internship is designed for individuals who are either pursuing their degree or have recently completed their studies, allowing them to gain practical experience in a professional setting.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also required, as it is the other working language. Additionally, knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage, as it may enhance communication with certain stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This internship is designed to be in-person and full-time, requiring a commitment of 40 hours per week. The duration of the internship is a maximum of six months, with one internship starting on 15 October 2025 and another on 1 March 202

• The position is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Switzerland may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.