Intern (Migration, Environment and Climate Change – MECC)

Context

The Asia and the Pacific region is highly exposed to climate change and natural hazards. Between 2010 and 2021, more than 225m people were displaced by sudden‐onset disasters in the region, accounting for approximately 80% of all disaster displacement in the world. Some 95% of this displacement occurs due to climate and weather‐related sudden‐onset disasters such as storms and floods. In light of these dynamics, IOM recognizes the need to step up national, regional and international efforts to address human mobility challenges associated with environmental factors and climate change. IOM engages in research, policy and advocacy efforts, and operational activities to prevent forced migration that results from environmental factors to the extent possible; to provide assistance and protection to affected populations when forced migration does occur, and to seek durable solutions to their situation; and to facilitate migration as a climate change adaptation strategy and enhance the resilience of affected communities.

The IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, covers 40 countries across the Asia and Pacific region; https://www.iom.int/asia-and-pacific. ROAP’s key responsibilities are to formulate regional strategies, processes and programmes in line with the overall priorities and policies of the Organization and to provide strategic and programmatic guidance and support to countries within its region. Six Regional Thematic Units are based at ROAP to fulfill this responsibility, covering issues including Emergency and Post Crisis and Disaster Risk Reduction, Labour Migration and Human Development, Immigration and Border Management, Migration Health, Migrant Protection and Assistance and Counter Human Trafficking and Migration, Environment and Climate Change. IOM activities that cut across these areas include the promotion of international migration law, research, policy debate and guidance, protection of migrants’ rights, migration health and the gender dimension of migration.

The Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Unit in ROAP supports IOM Missions in Asia and the Pacific in the development of policies and programmes on the migration-environment nexus. The Unit contributes to building the capacity of IOM staff; provides technical guidance and inputs to IOM country offices, governments and other agencies working on MECC issues to ensure that environment and climate change dimensions are integrated into relevant programmes, projects and strategies; and identifies emerging issues relevant to the thematic area to help strengthen the knowledge base on MECC issues.

Supervision

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Migration, Environment and Climate Change Regional Thematic Specialist and overall direction of the Regional Director, the intern will support the MECC unit for smooth implementation of the ongoing programme.

Core Functions/Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Carry out research on various thematic areas within the work of the migration, environment and nexus; including but not limited to developing, analyzing and preparing factsheets and concept notes related to migration, environment and climate change in Asia and the Pacific;
2. Assist in collating information to support country missions in the region to undertake MECC projects;
3. Collect information on MECC from news, academic and governmental sources and assist in sending out a regular MECC update;
4. Assist in the editing of project proposals, concept notes and other documents referred from country missions to the Regional MECC Specialist;
5. Assist in the planning, organization and conduct of meetings, seminars and workshops, including by preparing background papers and presentations, overseeing logistical and administrative arrangements, and drafting summaries and meeting records;
6. Support the MECC Unit’s external outreach, including webpage maintenance and updates;
7. Provide administrative support and updates as necessary; and
8. Perform all other duties as may be assigned.