Intern – Project Development and Communication

Job Description

Introduction

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 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:

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 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.
5. are between 20 and 36 years of age.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental 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.

SUPERVISION
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the Programme Support Officer, the Intern – Project Development and Communication will support the Country Office’s project development, programme visibility, outreach, communication, and advocacy efforts. The intern will contribute to the development and implementation of communication strategies that highlight IOM’s programmes, impact, partnerships, and resource mobilization efforts, particularly in the areas of migration governance, climate-induced mobility, community resilience, private sector, and youth reintegration.
They will contribute to project development processes through support to concept note drafting, proposal development, donor visibility requirements, information gathering, and coordination inputs, while also assisting in the production of high-quality communication materials, including press releases, human-interest stories, social media content, visibility products, and audiovisual materials. The Intern – Project Development and Communication will support media relations, public information campaigns, and digital engagement initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of IOM’s interventions and strengthening stakeholder engagement.

Working closely with programme teams and partners, they will help ensure coherent messaging aligned with IOM’s strategic priorities, donor requirements, and UN communication standards. The role also includes documenting field activities, supporting events and campaigns, contributing to knowledge management and reporting processes, and promoting evidence-based narratives that enhance public awareness, donor visibility, partnership building, and stakeholder engagement at national and regional levels.

Responsibilities

1. Support the development and implementation of the Country Office’s external communication and visibility strategy in line with IOM’s strategic priorities, donor requirements, and communication guidelines, with the aim of strengthening public awareness, stakeholder engagement, and organizational visibility.

2. Assist in project development and programme support processes by contributing to the drafting of concept notes, project proposals, background documents, presentations, and donor visibility inputs, while supporting coordination and information gathering across programme teams.

3. Assist in the preparation and implementation of the Country Office’s contributions to national, regional, and international communication and advocacy campaigns, including those related to UN International Days, to enhance awareness on migration-related issues and promote IOM’s mandate and interventions.

4. Support programme and project teams in ensuring compliance with donor visibility requirements and contribute to the design and production of information and communication materials such as factsheets, brochures, newsletters, infographics, and audiovisual content. Collect, draft, and edit success stories, human-interest stories, and impact narratives highlighting beneficiaries and project achievements.

5. Assist in the preparation, editing, and dissemination of press releases, talking points, media briefs, web stories, and public information materials related to activities, events, and projects implemented by IOM Senegal.

6. Undertake duty travel to document field activities through high-quality photographs, videos, interviews, and multimedia content, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with digital informed consent, protection principles, and ethical communication standards.

7. Support the management of the Country Office’s digital communication platforms, including social media accounts and website updates, by ensuring timely content production, audience engagement, monitoring of communication performance, and alignment with IOM branding and communication standards.

8. Support the organization and visibility of events, workshops, missions, and public campaigns, and contribute to knowledge management, reporting, and stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at strengthening partnerships, donor visibility, and evidence-based communication at national and regional levels.

9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Build knowledge of project development and support by contributing to drafting relevant documentation such as concept notes, proposals, donor visibility inputs. 

• Strengthen communication and editing skills by contributing to communication strategies, public information materials, media content, and digital engagement initiatives that promote programmes and impact. 

• Enhance coordination and stakeholder engagement skills by working closely with other teams to gather information, ensure coherent messaging, and support advocacy and outreach efforts. 

• Develop practical skills in reporting and multimedia documentation to support communication and visibility efforts.

TRAINING COMPONENTS AND LEARNING ELEMENTS

• The Intern will gain hands-on experience working in an international and multicultural environment within the United Nations system.
• Gain practical experience in programme support, project development, communication, visibility, and international cooperation activities.
• Gain a deeper understanding of IOM’s mandate and operations as an intergovernmental organization working in the field of migration, including programme implementation, donor engagement, strategic communication, and institutional coordination.
• Contribute to the drafting, formulation, and editing of institutional documents, communication products, strategies, priorities, project proposals, and workplans.
• Strengthen technical skills in content creation, digital communication, media engagement, reporting, and stakeholder coordination.
• Access online training courses and learning opportunities available to all IOM personnel to support professional development.
• Have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with IOM staff at Headquarters, Regional Offices, and Country Offices, as well as with UN agencies, partners, and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent), or in a Master's degree or higher in Communication, Journalism, Media Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or,  
• Have graduated with a university degree in Communication, Journalism, Media Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies or a related field, and if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.

EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience or demonstrated interest in communication, media, journalism, project development, public information, visibility, advocacy, or programme support is desirable
• Experience in content creation, social media management, graphic design, photography, videography, or audiovisual production would be an advantage;
• Experience working in multicultural environments, student organizations, NGOs, UN agencies, or community initiatives would be an asset.
   

SKILLS

• Familiarity with migration, development, humanitarian, or international cooperation issues is desirable.
• Communication, project development, visibility, and advocacy;
• Migration, development, and international cooperation issues;
• Project development support, including drafting concept notes, proposals, donor visibility materials, and presentations;
• Good writing, editing, analytical research, and reporting skills;
• Graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva (desirable);
• Good knowledge of digital communication tools and social media platforms;
• Photography, videography, and multimedia content production would be an advantage;
• Good organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

Languages 
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:
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.

Eligibility and Selection

This internship opportunity is part of IOM’s 2026 Global Access Internship Programme, which is a sub-set of IOM’s regular internship programme.  The main condition to be eligible for this opportunity is that applicants be citizens of Member States not represented or with lower representation in IOM, as of June 2026. Additionally, IOM strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities from those nationalities as well as other minorities. If you would like to explore all vacancies that are part of the programme and more details, please go to: Internship programme | International Organization for Migration

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

• 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.

• Candidates are also encouraged to research and study the cost of living in the duty station prior to applying.

• For this programme, IOM will also provide travel arrangements and will cover visa-related costs. 

• Selection will be based on demonstrated qualifications, relevant experience, technical skills, and alignment with core competencies. The evaluation process may include written assessment, and/or interview. 

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 his/her 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 assignment. 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 WAVE  system (for internalcandidateslink 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

Same Posting Description for Internal and External Candidates.

Required Skills

Job info