Policy Research and Migration Law Unit Intern

Job Description

Job Description

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 1st July 2025.
g) Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Background Information

The Policy Research and Migration Law Unit / EMN Austria:
The main project of the Policy Research and Migration Law Unit is the work as the National Contact Point Austria in the European Migration Network (EMN). The EMN was set up in 2003 by the European Commission on behalf of the European Council in order to satisfy the need for a regular exchange of reliable information on migration and asylum-related issues at the European level. In 2003, the IOM Country Office for Austria was nominated as National Contact Point Austria by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. The objective of the EMN is to meet the information needs of Community institutions and Member States’ authorities and institutions on migration and asylum, by providing up-to-date, objective, reliable, and comparable information on migration and asylum, with a view to supporting policymaking in the European Union in these areas and to providing a factual basis for current discussions. The EMN responds to information needs through reports, studies, Ad-Hoc Queries, so-called “EMN Informs,” and other outputs. The EMN analyses and synthesizes such information and organizes events to foster exchange between policymakers, experts, and the general public (for further information please visit https://www.emn.at/en/).

Responsibilities

Supervision
Head of Policy Research and Migration Law Unit

Training Components and Learning Elements
The intern will assist with the operational activities of the Office. Tasks will include:

• Provide administrative support in the planning, organization, and implementation of events and the European Migration Network (EMN);
• Support with the online content management of the EMN website
• Assist in research work conducted in the Policy Research and Migration Law Unit;
• Translate any texts from German to English and English to German;
• Collect information on relevant publications, stakeholders, and legal information;
• When requested and in relation to other general tasks, attend meetings, seminars, workshops and take notes for the file, provided that the attendance is free of charge;
• Perform any other tasks that 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 of virtual events are an asset;
• Comprehensive knowledge of migration and asylum governance in Austria and the EU as well as a solid understanding of the academic discourse;
• Proven experience in research and excellent writing skills;
• 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.
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
Proficiency in language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Specific Duties
The Intern at the Policy Research and Migration Law Unit in the IOM Country Office for Austria will mainly perform duties related to the implementation of the project “National Contact Point Austria in the European Migration Network (EMN).” The main responsibilities are:

• Contributing to research: The intern independently conducts desk research, literature reviews, and thereby contributes to research outputs as requested (approx. 30%);
• Editing, proof reading and translation: The intern supports the team with reference management, editing, proofreading, and translation German/English (approx. 30%);
• Event management: The intern assists the team in the planning, organization, and implementation of conferences, workshops, and other events (approx. 20%);
• IOM Library: The intern assists with the IOM Library management by including new publications in the online database and organizing the loan system (approx. 10%);
• Other responsibilities (approx. 10%): The intern attends internal and external meetings upon request and performs any other related tasks that may be assigned.

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 the 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.

Core Competencies – Behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge, and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

Apply Before
05/05/2025, 05:59 AM

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.