Intern - Data and Research

Background Information

The IOM Regional Office (RO), established in Vienna in 2011, supports the quality improvement and diversification of programmatic activities of IOM at the country level, promotes regional initiatives, and facilitates better support to interstate dialogue and cooperation. RO Vienna is responsible for project review and endorsement, policy development, and for formulating regional migration strategies. This is done in partnership with governments, development partners and civil society organizations within the region.

The RO Vienna Regional Data Hub (RDH) provides the evidence-base necessary for achieving IOM’s Strategic Plan Objectives of saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement and facilitating pathways for regular migration in IOM’s Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region. This encompasses the provision of fit-for-purpose capacity building interventions and guidance for IOM Missions and national counterparts to increase the availability and quality of data analysis and research in the region, in line with IOM and global standards. In addition, the RDH develops an array of analytical products, including thematic briefs, reports and interactive resources based on direct data collection that underpin and strengthen IOMs position as reference point on migration data and analysis in the region.

Supervision

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist, and the direct supervision of the Regional Data & Research Project / Programme Coordinator, the Intern - Data & Research will work closely with regional thematic specialists, country office focal points to support migration data and research initiatives.

• Conduct literature reviews and identify new data sources relevant to migration and mobility topics in the region.
• Support RDH and IOM country offices by collecting, cleaning, managing, and analysing survey and administrative datasets.
• Contribute to research and analysis on mixed migration trends to Europe, including data processing and descriptive statistics.
• Assist in drafting regional and country-level analytical outputs, including reports, briefs, dashboards, and visual materials to communicate migration findings.
• Support quality assurance and review of country-level analytical products to ensure consistency with IOM methodologies and reporting standards.
• Collaborate with the RDH team, regional thematic units, and country offices to support data requests, information sharing, and coordination of analytical activities.
• Assist maintaining internal knowledge management systems, including repositories of research documents, methodologies, and tools to support institutional learning.
• Provide administrative and operational support to RDH functions, including preparation for meetings/events and drafting minutes or documentation.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Learning Objectives

• Build knowledge on migration data and research in the Europe and Central Asia region by contributing to literature reviews and supporting analysis on migration and mobility trends.
• Strengthen technical data management and analysis skills by helping collect, clean, manage, and analyse datasets.
• Improve research writing and data communication skills by contributing to reports, briefs, and visual materials.
• Develop coordination, knowledge management, and operational support skills by collaborating with regional teams and country offices, supporting data requests and information sharing, maintaining research repositories, and assisting with meetings and documentation.

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 organization, management, and international cooperation activities.
• 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 can also access online training courses at the disposal of all IOM personnel.
• The Intern will have the possibility to interact with IOM staff within Headquarters and IOM Missions.

Education

Applicants must satisfy one of the following educational criteria:

• Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent) in Migration Studies, Demography, Political or Social Science, Statistics, Data Science, Information Management, Disaster Risk Management, Human Geography, GIS or related field from an accredited institution; or,
• Enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or graduated within the last 12 months with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Migration Studies, Demography, Political or Social Science, Statistics, Data Science, Information Management, Disaster Risk Management, Human Geography, GIS or related field from an accredited institution.

Experience

Experience in cleaning, analysis and reporting of data from large and complex information systems;

• Professional or academic experience in combining qualitative and quantitative research methods;
• Experience in migration or international development in humanitarian/development contexts is highly desirable;
• Demonstrated understanding of the migratory context in Europe and Central Asia is highly desirable;
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organizations is considered an asset but not mandatory;

Experience in incorporating gender-related needs, perspectives and concerns is desired.

Skills

Excellent research and analytical skills, with high attention to detail and quality;

• Demonstrated knowledge of data analysis with Excel required;

Knowledge of other analytical software and\or programming languages (e.g., SPSS, R, Python, Power BI, Tableau), and GIS tools (e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS Pro) is desirable;

• Knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Fabric solutions is desirable;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a multicultural environment with colleagues from various professional backgrounds.

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

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

Required Competencies

Eligibility and Selection

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 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.

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