Internship Ref: 2026/29

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn 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.

Background Information

The internship is intended to provide practical learning exposure to the work of IOM Albania in the field of migration, asylum, protection, diaspora engagement and migration governance, while supporting the Country Office with research, documentation, coordination and administrative tasks. The assignment is aligned with IOM’s Internship Programme, which aims to offer young people from relevant academic backgrounds an opportunity to enhance their educational experience through meaningful exposure to migration-related work. The applicant’s background in Global Law and Transnational Legal Studies, her thesis on Albania’s asylum system in light of EU standards, and her previous internships and civic engagement in human rights, youth resilience and diaspora-related initiatives are relevant to the proposed internship.

Supervision

The intern will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Office and the direct supervision of the designated supervisor within IOM Albania. The supervisor will ensure that assignments are meaningful, related to the intern’s field of study and appropriate to the intern’s level of experience, provide regular guidance and feedback, and support the achievement of the agreed Learning Objectives in line with IOM Internship Instruction IN/19 Rev. 3.

Learning Objectives

• Gain practical exposure to IOM Albania’s work on migration governance, asylum, protection, diaspora engagement and related programme activities.
• Develop research, analytical and drafting skills by supporting legal, policy and institutional research on migration, asylum and related areas relevant to IOM’s mandate.
• Support the preparation of briefing notes, background materials, meeting summaries, presentations and other written inputs as required.
• Assist with administrative, coordination and documentation tasks related to meetings, workshops, consultations and programme activities.
• Strengthen professional competencies in teamwork, communication, accountability, confidentiality and ethical conduct in accordance with IOM rules, policies and standards.

Training Components and Learning Elements

The internship will include on-the-job learning, regular guidance from the supervisor, participation in relevant internal meetings and briefings, exposure to IOM procedures and programme work, and completion of mandatory learning requirements, including Ethics and Conduct at IOM: The Values We Share and applicable security training. The intern will also be expected to become familiar with IOM standards of conduct, respectful workplace principles, data protection, confidentiality, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and relevant IT and security requirements.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme, minimum Bachelor’s level, in Law, International Law, Migration Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field; or recently graduated within one year of application, in line with IOM internship eligibility requirements.
• Academic background or demonstrated interest in migration, asylum, human rights, international/public law, EU law, migration governance, or related areas.

Experience

• Previous internship, volunteering, academic or civic engagement experience in migration, human rights, youth engagement, legal research, public administration, civil society, or related fields is desirable.
• Experience in conducting research, reviewing legal or policy materials, drafting written inputs, and supporting documentation or administrative tasks is an advantage.
• Experience participating in or supporting meetings, workshops, forums, conferences or stakeholder coordination activities is desirable.

Skills

• Strong research, analytical, drafting and communication skills.
• Good organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good command of Microsoft Office applications and ability to handle information with discretion and confidentiality.

Languages

For this internship, fluency in English and Albanian is required.

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 five 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 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.

Notes

Depending on experience and location, interns are granted a small monthly stipend to help offset costs. Interns benefiting from an internship allowance or scholarship granted by their university or other sponsoring body that includes financial remuneration or credits for coursework will not be eligible for the stipend.

IOM covers Interns against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the internship. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Interns are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies