The IOM Internship Programme attracts talented students and recent graduates with a specific interest in areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities. Interns must:
Be between 20 and 36 years old.
Have less than two years of relevant working experience.
Meet at least one of the following criteria:
Have studies or interest in areas relevant to IOM programmes.
Hold a scholarship for internship placements in international organizations or require an internship to complete studies.
Be sponsored by governmental, non-governmental institutions, or academia to work on areas relevant to IOM and the sponsor.
Be enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree program (or equivalent) or have graduated within the last 12 months.
Background
The IOM Shelter & Settlements (S&S) Unit, under the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery, supports S&S programming worldwide. IOM implements shelter and settlements activities in 84 countries and leads inter-agency coordination at global, national, and local levels.
The ECHO ReliefEU Stockpiles project involves prepositioning essential household and shelter items in Nairobi and Barbados to enhance emergency response capacities in Africa and the Caribbean. The intern will support operations in both hubs, with a focus on establishing the Barbados Hub and improving Nairobi Hub operations.
Responsibilities
Supervision: The intern will report to the Senior Shelter and Settlements Officer and coordinate with the Common Pipeline Coordinator and the Nairobi and Barbados office teams.
Key Tasks:
Support the implementation of the ECHO Stockpiles project, focusing on the Barbados Hub and supporting Nairobi Hub operations.
Develop communications materials, including graphical production.
Assist in project monitoring, documentation, and administrative support.
Document lessons learned from procurements and movements of prepositioned goods.
Conduct data analysis on past procurements and movements to identify operational improvements and for reporting purposes.
Coordinate with Nairobi and Barbados teams, participating in regular meetings.
Assist in planning trainings and in-person events as required.
Support wider Shelter & Settlements Unit activities as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Training and Learning Opportunities:
Gain experience in a multicultural, international environment within the UN system.
Develop skills in organization, management, and international cooperation.
Understand IOM’s work in migration, especially in shelter and settlements.
Gain exposure to S&S partners globally.
Access online IOM training courses.
Interact with IOM staff across Headquarters and Missions.
Qualifications
Education:
University degree in built environment professions (architecture, engineering, urban planning, etc.), social sciences, development or humanitarian action, international relations, or other relevant fields.
Experience:
Strong interest in shelter and settlements in humanitarian response and recovery.
Experience in supply chain operations (logistics, procurement), especially in humanitarian contexts, is an asset.
Experience in knowledge management systems (e.g., SharePoint, knowledge hubs) is an asset.
Experience developing communications products using graphic design software.
Results-focused, flexible, and efficient; able to work effectively in a team.
Excellent organizational and planning skills, familiar with tools like Outlook Calendar, Gantt charts.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with SharePoint, Teams, and MS Lists.
Knowledge of statistical packages, graphic, or web design software is an advantage.
Excellent communication skills in English; French proficiency preferred; other languages (Spanish, Arabic) are an asset.
Languages:
Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
Knowledge of Arabic, French, and/or Spanish is an advantage.
IOM official languages are English, French, and Spanish. Language proficiency may be tested during the selection process.
Travel:
None required.
Deadline: Nov 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.
