INTERNSHIP – LABOUR MOBILITY & INTEGRATION (LMI) UNIT AND COUNTER-TRAFFICKING (CT) UNIT

Location: Vienna CO, Austria

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 per 1 November 2026; g) only shortlisted candidates will be contacted; h) the duration of the internship is until 28/02/2027 (with the possibility of extension to a maximum of six months); i) the internship can be either on a part-time basis with a minimum 30 hours per week or on a full-time basis with 39.3 hours per week; j) interviews with IOM staff are conducted virtually; k) costs and arrangements for travel to the duty station upon commencement and conclusion of the internship, visas and all related expenses are the responsibility of interns and/or their sponsoring institutions.

Background Information

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM works with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration and uphold the well-being and human rights of migrants (for further information please visit https://www.iom.int).

IOM Country Office for Austria

The main responsibility of the IOM Country Office for Austria is to analyse national migration issues and emerging trends to develop and implement projects and programmes to address these. The Country Office for Austria includes six units: the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Unit; the Counter-Trafficking Unit; the Labour Mobility & Social Inclusion Unit; the Operations Unit; the Policy Research and Migration Law Unit; and the Resource Management Unit (for further information please visit https://austria.iom.int).

The Labour Mobility & Integration Unit

IOM Austria supports the two-way integration process through several well-established activities with the following focus:

Facilitating safe, regular, and well-managed migration and strengthening government capacities in migration governance;

Supporting private and government-led skills mobility programs that connect migrants to decent employment opportunities;

Building the capacities of local authorities and receiving communities through training and information sessions on intercultural competences and culture- and trauma-sensitive communication;

Empowering migrants through civic education, engagement with local authorities and migrant organizations, and raising awareness of rights and protection against discrimination (for further information please visit: https://austria.iom.int/labour-mobility-and-integration).

The Counter-Trafficking Unit IOM Austria assists in building the capacities of Austrian stakeholders to identify potential trafficked persons and conducts awareness raising activities on human trafficking for the general public. IOM furthermore contributes to policymaking, including the National Action Plan against Human Trafficking, through a variety of channels. Direct support is available in the form of airport assistance and, when possible, an in-kind reintegration grant for trafficked persons who wish to return to their countries of origin (for further information please visit: https://austria.iom.int/counter-trafficking).

Learning Objectives

The LMI/CT intern in the IOM Country Office for Austria will mainly perform duties related to the implementation of integration and counter-trafficking projects, comprising numerous trainings and workshops. The main responsibilities are:

Assisting IOM Austria to implement project activities regarding integration and counter trafficking;

Provision of administrative and organizational support in compiling the content of training sessions and relevant materials;

Assisting in drafting and editing newsletter articles, brochures, narrative reports and other texts;

Assisting in translating and proofreading of project-related documents (English/German);

Attending meetings and conferences related to the assigned working areas as well as taking minutes;

Providing support in organizing events, meetings and travel;

Assisting in research activities;

Assisting in the conduct of (virtual) training sessions;

Other duties as may be assigned.

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 virtual events are an asset;

Comprehensive knowledge of migration and asylum governance in Austria and the EU;

Work