Organizational Overview IOM is committed to creating a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally while contributing to harnessing the full potential of migration. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture here.
The IOM Internship Programme aims to attract talented students and recent 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 have less than two years of relevant work experience.
In general, the Internship Programme seeks candidates who:
Have a specific interest in, or academic background covering, areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities.
Hold a scholarship for internship placements in international organizations, or for whom the internship is required to complete their studies.
Are sponsored by governmental or non-governmental institutions and/or academia to work in areas relevant to both IOM and the sponsor.
Are either enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) or have graduated within the last 12 months.
Are between 20 and 36 years of age.
Background Information Under the supervision of IOM Bern Senior Staff, the successful intern will perform the following duties:
Assist in the general operations linked to the preparation and follow-up of Assisted Voluntary Returns (AVR) and reintegration, in close cooperation with IOM offices in countries of return, Swiss return counsellors, and relevant Swiss authorities.
Support the project manager of the AVR and reintegration program for victims of trafficking with program implementation, including case management, reporting, and documentation.
Assist the project manager in return counselling at Federal Asylum Centers.
Support communication-related projects, including preparing background documents, updating communication materials, maintaining archives, and updating the website and social media platforms.
Support implementation of Swiss resettlement programs: prepare refugee arrivals in Switzerland, ensure information flow between departure and arrival countries and Swiss authorities, prepare pre-departure and post-arrival trainings, and compile reports and statistics.
Support the Swiss Family Reunification and Humanitarian Visa programs: work on individual cases, prepare reports and statistics, and participate in related meetings and conferences.
Assist in planning events, particularly those related to information dissemination, communication, and networking.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Mission, IOM Bern.
Qualifications
Education
University degree (Bachelor or Master level) in Social or Political Science, International Relations, or a related field.
Experience
Experience in the field of migration is an advantage.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of German, French, and English.
Language proficiency will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Eligibility
Only applications from Swiss or EU/EFTA nationals will be considered.
Preference will be given to candidates with an existing residence and/or work permit for Switzerland.
Deadline: January 3, 2025
About the Organization
About IOM
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.
With 132 member states, a further 17 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.
IOM works in the four broad areas of migration management:
Migration and development
Facilitating migration
Regulating migration
Forced migration.
IOM activities that cut across these areas include the promotion of international migration law, policy debate and guidance, protection of migrants' rights, migration health and the gender dimension of migration.
Start Your Application
Applications for this position must be completed on the recruiting organization's website.
