funding: Varies by office (some paid, some unpaid)
location: Global IOM offices and remote
eligibility: Students or recent graduates (under 30 preferred)
host: International Organization for Migration
duration: 2–6 months
apply-url: https://www.iom.int/internships
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading UN agency for migration, working in over 175 countries to promote orderly and humane migration and to assist migrants in need. The IOM Global Internship Programme provides students and recent graduates with meaningful work experience across IOM's operational and programmatic divisions, in a multicultural environment that spans the globe.
Placement Locations
IOM internship placements are available at the organisation's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and at country offices across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and North America. Both remote internships (supporting headquarters functions) and on-site placements (embedded with country teams) are available. On-site placements in active response contexts provide exposure to real humanitarian operations.
Work Areas
Interns work in functions including migration management, emergency and post-crisis operations, labour migration and development, counter-trafficking, resettlement and voluntary return, communications, resource mobilisation, monitoring and evaluation, data and research, and finance and administration. Roles are matched to your academic background and professional interests during the application process.
Compensation and Duration
IOM internships are offered with or without stipends depending on the duty station and funding availability. Many placements — particularly at country offices in lower-income contexts and at headquarters — carry a monthly stipend. Internships run between two and six months. IOM also covers visa facilitation for international placements at headquarters.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in or recently graduated from a university programme. IOM accepts interns from all nationalities. Relevant academic backgrounds include international relations, social work, law, public health, economics, development studies, communications, and computer science. Proficiency in English is required; French, Spanish, and Arabic are strong assets depending on the placement region.
How to Apply
IOM internship vacancies are posted at iom.int and on the IOM Recruitment Portal at recruit.iom.int. Applications must be submitted through the portal for specific vacancies — unsolicited applications are rarely considered. Monitor the portal weekly as new positions open throughout the year. A strong application highlights your commitment to migration issues and your specific skills relevant to the division's work.