Posting Date: 5 June 2026

Deadline for Applications: 17 June 2026

Duty Station: Vienna, Austria

Start Date: 1 July 2026

Contract Duration: 3 months

Organisational Overview:

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is an international organisation with 21 Member States. Active in more than 90 countries worldwide, it takes a regional approach in its work to create efficient cooperation and partnerships along migration routes. Priority regions include Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Mediterranean, Silk Routes, Western Balkans and Türkiye. Its approach to migration management – structurally linking policy, research, migration dialogues and capacity building – contributes to better migration policy development worldwide. The Vienna-based organisation has a mission in Brussels and is locally represented in 30+ countries worldwide. The organisation’s greatest assets are its 600+ staff members, who personify its values of commitment, integrity, partnership, respect and innovation in actions and decisions.

Background:

ICMPD is inviting all interested and qualified candidates to apply for an internship in the Research Unit.

The ICMPD research internship offers students and recent graduates the opportunity to obtain first-hand experience of international comparative research on migration with a strong policy orientation and firm academic grounding. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in research activities implemented by the Research Unit.

In terms of themes covered by the Research Internship, the involvement in various research activities will strengthen the intern’s understanding of various migration topics, particularly migration decision-making in different geographical contexts, and role of information in influencing their decision-making processes. In line with ICMPD’s internship policy, the internship lasts 3 months.

The internship will involve engagement in a range of research activities, providing the intern with the opportunity to develop core research and analytical skills, including desk research, secondary data collection, literature review, and policy-relevant drafting (as specifically agreed with the intern).

Project Overview:

The Research Unit is under-taking two similar projects on information dissemination and awareness raising among potential migrants and returnees in Pakistan (PARIM-III) and Iraq (MIRAMI-II).

Both projects (Awareness raising and information campaigns on the risks of irregular migration in Pakistan (PARIM-III) and Migration Information and Awareness Raising on the Risks of Irregular Migration in Iraq (MIRAMI-II)) focus on migration decision-making from respectively Pakistan and Iraq.

In both cases, the projects seek to provide potential migrants (and returnees) with a balanced set of information regarding safe and legal migration, challenges of irregular migration and relevant support for returnees.

Understanding that effective information and awareness campaigns are built on strong background research, both projects have a strong research component that precedes the development and implementation of the awareness raising campaigns. The respective background research streams are focusing on understanding the specific migration contexts of potential migrants in Pakistan (PARIM-III) and Iraq (MIRAMI-II) through dedicated surveys and qualitative fieldwork. The research aims to understand the target audiences and participants of migration awareness raising campaigns, their profiles, contexts, characteristics, information needs, push and pull factors behind their mobility decisions, and other situations that affect or influence their decision-making process. In addition, both projects analyse respective migrant smuggling trends, in terms of relevant routes and modus operandi, and recent changes, in order to provide tailored information relevant to specific routes.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

In close coordination with project managers and under the supervision of the Head of Research, the intern will be involved in various tasks, such as:

• Conduct literature reviews and support in data-driven research on a variety of topics, for instance various aspects of migration decision-making, including motivations, influences, and role of information, as well as migrant smuggling trends from the respective countries (Iraq, Pakistan).
• Conduct stakeholder mappings of relevant counterparts to engage in the respective countries (Iraq, Pakistan).
• Collaborate with fellow interns and researchers to support interdisciplinary research projects related to migration.
• Assist the research team with any other task as necessary.

Skills Development:

• Develop the ability to undertake small assignments independently;
• Increased understanding of research at ICMPD and the project implementation within the Research Unit;
• Network with ICMPD colleagues.

Incumbent Profile:

• Recent graduate or currently enrolled in masters’ programme in social sciences (economics, migration studies, international relations, development studies or related field)
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Familiarity with migration-related concepts, theories, and empirical research in the field.
• Familiarity with migration trends and issues in South and West Asia region is an asset.
• Strong communication, analytical, drafting and organization skills.
• Basic understanding of qualitative research methods
• Good writing skills
• Computer proficiency in standard office software (MS word, excel, etc.)
• Enthusiasm for the subject matter and a strong desire to contribute to ongoing research efforts in the field of migration studies.

Compensation:

ICMPD offers a monthly fee of EUR 500,00, and will provide accident insurance for the duration of the internship. However, travel expenses will not be reimbursed and Health insurance is the responsibility of the incumbent.

The internship does not constitute a commitment to future employment with ICMPD.

PLEASE NOTE: An intern is not a staff member of ICMPD. An intern who is a non-citizen of the country in which the duty station is situated is responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and for complying with local laws regarding registration with the local authorities.

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates are requested to send their application (CV & Motivation letter) in English to raheel.javaid@icmpd.org by midnight (CET) of the closing date specified above.

All applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated above. Applications received after the published deadline, and applications submitted via fax or post will not be considered.

Due to the high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted and applicants are expected to be available for a personal/online interview.

General Information:

ICMPD retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy or to cancel the recruitment. Selected candidates will have to provide a signed statement of exclusivity and availability, as well as evidence supporting the educational and professional experience record as per their application.