Research Intern – Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Unit

Context:

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.

IOM operates under several thematic areas covering the migration phenomenon. One of the areas is Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion (LMI), which empowers migrants and transnational communities to exercise their agency across the migration continuum. Through a whole of society and whole of government approach, LMI develops capacities, partnerships and evidence-based policies and programs to enable safe, orderly, and regular dignified labour migration and other mobility pathways by creating the conditions for migrants to thrive in more inclusive and cohesive societies.

To do so, LMI works across Labour Migration Governance and Mobility; Migration, Business and Human Rights; Integration, Social Inclusion and Cohesion; Diaspora Engagement; and the Future of Mobility.

Background Information

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by promoting international cooperation on migration and providing services and advice to governments and migrants, including technical and humanitarian assistance. As the UN migration agency, IOM mainstreams migration in efforts towards delivering the Sustainable Development Goals; supports governments to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and serves as Secretariat and Coordinator of the UN Network on Migration.

Supervision

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist for Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion (LMI), the successful candidate will support the Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Unit and be responsible for the following tasks:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In close coordination with the LMI Regional Thematic Specialist and Regional Programme Officer, undertake research work related to labour mobility in the region, and in specific countries.
2. Update and organize regional online platforms (Teams, SharePoint, etc.) regularly with new knowledge products produced on LMI, and other relevant information, and internal guidelines.
3. Elaborate written products on Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion for internal and external dissemination (regular updates of the LMI unit’s work, briefing notes, meeting reports and other written products on regional LMI activities).
4. In close coordination with other members of the LMI team, gather data on labour migration and social inclusion laws/policies/regulation, trends, challenges, and opportunities in West and Central Africa specific on LMI as a way of contributing to program development and capacity building activities.
5. Support with administrative tasks for the implementation of various activities, as needed.
6. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Training Components and Learning Elements

• The Intern will gain experience in working in an international multicultural environment, within the United Nations system.
• Gain experience in the organization and coordination of activities related to Labour Mobility and social inclusion.
• Gain a better understanding of IOM’s work, as an inter-governmental organization in the field of Migration, and work on formulating and editing institutional strategies, priorities and workplans.
• The Intern will acquire technical knowledge in labour migration and social inclusion.
• The Intern can also access online training courses at the disposal of all IOM staff and participate in training delivered at a regional and national level.
• The Intern will have the possibility to interact (virtually) with IOM staff within the regional office and country offices.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Completed university degree (Bachelor or Master) in Political Science, International law or any related field from an accredited academic institution.
• Are either enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program(minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) or have graduated in the last 12 months.
• Are between 20 and 36 years of age

Experience

• Work experience in the field of migration is an asset
• Work experience in international/multi-cultural and/or UN system, an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with clients;
• High level of computer literacy usage of office MS Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in French and English is required.

Note

Eligibility and Selection

The selected candidate for this internship position will work remotely. Interns will receive a monthly stipend.

• 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.
• This internship program will be supporting the IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa in based in Dakar, Senegal.

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.
• 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.

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

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

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview

Other:

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.