Internship Programme

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a leading intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. Established in 1951, IOM has grown to include 173 member states and offices in over 100 countries. The organization is committed to ensuring that migration is safe, orderly, and dignified, and works to harness the potential of migration for development while addressing the challenges it poses. IOM's mission includes saving lives and protecting the rights of migrants, providing humanitarian assistance, and facilitating sustainable solutions to migration-related issues. IOM's workplace culture emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and respect for all individuals, fostering an environment where employees can thrive professionally while contributing to the organization's goals.

Job Overview:
The internship-programme" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Internship Programme at IOM aims to attract talented students and graduates who have a specific interest in migration-related issues and whose studies align with IOM's programs and activities. Interns are expected to be between 20 and 36 years old and should have less than two years of relevant working experience. The internship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and strategic insight into IOM's work in Cameroon and the broader UN system. Interns will engage in various aspects of IOM's policy and programmatic work, particularly at the intersection of migration, peace, and development. They will also learn about diaspora engagement strategies, project design, implementation, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms that support peacebuilding and migration governance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for delivering several key outputs, including a Policy Brief on engaging the Cameroonian diaspora in Gulf countries for peacebuilding, a Comprehensive Mapping Report documenting diaspora presence and opportunities, an Analytical Note on border-peace linkages in the Cameroon-Nigeria context, a Strategic Note analyzing crisis-migration linkages in the North-West region, and a Cross-Cutting Integration Note outlining how youth engagement and gender equality can be mainstreamed across all deliverables. Additionally, interns will assist in project coordination, activity follow-up, and documentation to ensure smooth implementation and monitoring of the unit's initiatives, while also easing the team's workload. Regular check-ins with supervisors will provide guidance and validate progress.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be either enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) or have graduated within the last 12 months. They should have a specific interest in migration studies, political science, international relations, peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, development studies, or a related field. Strong analytical, research, and drafting skills are essential, along with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely. Familiarity with migration governance, diaspora engagement, and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus is also required. Excellent communication skills in both English and French, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks while supporting administrative follow-up are crucial for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes an ongoing or recently completed Master’s degree in fields such as Migration Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Security, Development Studies, or a related area. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of migration and its impact on peace and development.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have less than two years of relevant working experience. This may include internships, volunteer work, or other experiences that demonstrate a commitment to the field of migration, peacebuilding, or development. The emphasis is on attracting recent graduates or students who are looking to gain practical experience in an international organization.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and French is mandatory, as these are the official languages of IOM. Candidates will be evaluated on their language skills during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly Spanish, may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The internship is subject to funding confirmation and will require certification of the candidate's medical fitness for appointment. Interns may receive a small monthly stipend to help offset costs, but those receiving financial remuneration or credits from their university or other sponsoring bodies will not be eligible for this stipend. IOM provides coverage against occupational accidents and illnesses for interns, but they must secure their own medical insurance for non-occupational accidents or illnesses. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and harassment. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through its online recruitment system.