Intern – Migration Governance

Position Title: Intern – Migration Governance

Duty Station: Homebased

Classification: Intern, Grade Other

Type of Appointment: Internship, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 14 July 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. 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.

Context:

Background Information

Created in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a leading intergovernmental entity in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting orderly and regular migration for the benefit of all. It does this by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM Colombia is committed to the principle that migration in an orderly and humane manner benefits migrants and society.

The migration profile for Colombia registered an important turning point in 2012, when it became a country of destination and transit, besides having been a country of origin for decades. This was mainly due to the mixed migration flows from Venezuela and more recently, migration of Caribbean and extracontinental nationals. According to the R4V around 5,9 million of migrants and refugees have left Venezuela; 1,842,390 are in Colombia (August 2021). These flows increased since 2016 and are characterized by conditions of vulnerability. According to Migración Colombia, 64% migrants from Venezuela are in process of regularization and 17% in irregular situation (August 2021), which represent a human mobility governance challenge for the Government of Colombia (GoC) and Colombian society.

Additionally, Colombia plays a dual role as a transit country within the two major routes. Firstly, having the widest border with Venezuela makes it the main point of entry for migrants heading to the south of the continent. Secondly, Colombia is a link between South/Central America, becoming a key transit point in transcontinental migration routes from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean trying to reach North America. These irregular flows are also associated with increased risks for migrants and represent a migration management challenge for the government and other key stakeholders.

In this regard, international experiences have shown that migratory phenomena should not be understood as a threat to host communities, but, on the contrary, can provide them with opportunities for their economic and social development. However, for this to occur, the migratory phenomenon must be accompanied by a comprehensive response that addresses its complexity and different edges of migration.

In this sense, IOM’s Program for the Strengthening of Migration Governance aims to provide technical support and assistance in the development and implementation of migration policies and institutional strengthening to different strategic actors, to promote orderly, safe and regular migration in Colombia through adequate planning and management of migration.

To this end, the intern will support the operational, financial, and technical monitoring of the project lines developed to strengthen public migration policies at the regional, national and local level.

Supervision

The Intern will work under the overall supervision of the Strengthening Migration Governance Program Coordinator, the direct supervision of the Public Policy Specialist, and in cooperation with other colleagues of the Program and IOM Mission in Colombia.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide technical support for the construction and implementation of the Program´s actions directed to institutional strengthening to the GoC and other relevant actors regarding migration issues.
2. Support the preparation of technical inputs for internal and external reports, meetings and other articulation activities with partners, counterparts, and donors.
3. Desk review activities aiming at supporting the development of documents, reports, communication and knowledge management materials on migration issues in different formats that contribute to the construction of different technical products.
4. All other functions assigned by the Program due to the inherent characteristics of their position and conditions.

Training Components and Learning Elements

As an active member of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) team, you will learn to provide efficient, timely, attentive, friendly, and quality support the organization and its beneficiaries, including:

• Implementation of public policy and institutional strengthening strategies and activities regarding the human mobility phenomena.
• Give effect to migration governance national, regional and local frameworks of reference, including the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
• Mainstreaming crosscutting approaches (sustainable development, human rights, whole-of-government, whole-of-society) and differential approaches (life cycle, gender, and ethnicity) into migration programming.

A final balance on the achievements reached is expected, such as reporting on the activities in which they have participated, and the capacities developed.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

Undergraduate degree or be pursuing an undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, law, sociology, or other Social Science related fields.

Experience

• Experience in the field of migration issues is an asset;
• Experience in communication and reporting;
• Work experience in/familiarity with the region is an asset;
• Experience consolidating and analyzing materials, drafting reports, presentations, information materials, etc.;
• Practical experience of how-to multi-task, prioritize and work independently.

Skills

• Knowledge in the implementation and monitoring of international and national human mobility frameworks is an asset;
• Excellent writing skills in Spanish and English;
• Capacity to analyze and report on political and social contexts;
• Proficient use of Office tools (Word, Excel, Power Point) and digital platforms;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Results-oriented management approach;
• High levels of accountability and transparency;
• Affinity or personal interest with the ideals of the mandate of the International Organization for Migration.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English and Spanish is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Note

Eligibility and Selection

This internship opportunity is part of IOM’s Diversity and Inclusion Internship Programme 2022. A main condition is that applicants should be citizens of countries which are not part of the OECD-DAC (excluding Iceland and, Latvia, which are Non-Represented Member States in IOM as of June 2022 and are included in the programme). In other words, this internship position is open to applicants from the Global South and Iceland and Latvia.

In 2022 Diversity Internships will be done remotely (teleworking). Interns will receive a monthly stipend, plus an amount to cover office and internet costs.

IOM strongly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, LGBTI+ individuals, persons belonging to indigenous or tribal peoples, or ethnic minorities. We strongly suggest you mention in your application your belonging to any of the aforementioned groups. All information will be treated confidentially.

In general, the Internship Programme aims at attracting talented students and graduates who:

1. have a specific interest in, or whose studies have covered, areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities;
2. are holding a scholarship for internship placements in international organizations and/or for whom internship is required to complete their studies; or
3. are sponsored by governmental/non governmental institutions and/or academia to work in specific areas relevant to both IOM and the sponsor.
4. are either students approaching the end of their studies and preparing a thesis, or recently graduated, who have less than two years of relevant working experience. e) are between 20 and 36 years of age.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and additional enquiries will only be addressed if the candidate is shortlisted.
• Depending on experience and location, IOM provides a small monthly stipend to help offset costs.
• Please consider the cost of living in Geneva prior to applying.

Applications must be submitted by 14 July 2022

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

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 action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

The appointment 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, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

No late applications will be accepted.