Posting Date: 9 February 2026

Deadline for Applications: 21 February 2026

Duty Station: Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

Start Date: 1 April 2026

Contract Duration: 6 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:

The Migrant Information Centre (MRC or MIC) initiative in Sri Lanka is led by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in partnership with Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. This initiative aims to enhance migration governance and mobility by addressing critical challenges faced by Sri Lankan migrants, such as irregular migration, trafficking, and exploitation. The MIC provides comprehensive support services, awareness programs, and capacity-building activities to promote safe and orderly migration, with a particular focus on vulnerable individuals and communities in the East and North of Sri Lanka.

The objectives of the project are to: (a) improve migration governance and mobility through a responsive, efficient and sustainable Migrant Resource/Information Centre in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka, (b) increase the capacity of local stakeholders in the government and private sector (media) to provide accurate and comprehensive information on migration to local communities; and (c) reduce vulnerabilities and challenges faced by migrants in travelling, working and living overseas by providing them with adequate, timely and reliable information and guidance, in order to make informed decisions on all matters related to migration, including risks, dangers and consequences of irregular migration. The scope of work for MIC includes the following, among others:

• Publish information, education and communication materials to promote safe, orderly and regular migration;
• Provide counselling, information, guidance and knowledge materials to prospective and returning migrants;
• Expand and strengthen the pre-departure briefings and trainings, in terms of content, delivery and facility, for outgoing migrants;
• Conduct training, forum, roundtable discussions and similar activities on migration with relevant stakeholders.

The main target groups are migrants (potential, current, returning), their families, communities and organizations.

The partners are national and local organizations in Sri Lanka which have primary roles and responsibilities in managing migration and implementing migration-related policies, programs and services, particularly in awareness raising, information campaigns and community education. Primary government partners are the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.

Tasks:

The MIC Sri Lanka project recruits an intern, who will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Activity 1: Assist with the reception of clients, including filing (pre- and post-surveying) at the MIC premises, documenting and encoding surveys and evaluation forms, preparing materials and kits for clients, and any tasks related to the daily routine of the MIC, in collaboration with the project team.
• Activity 2: Engage in administrative and logistical tasks to organize MIC outreach, information campaigns and community education, such as liaising with local stakeholders, sending out invitations, following up of invitations and creating list of participants, arranging workshop premises and catering, documenting events, preparing materials and kits, and other tasks to ensure a successful and productive MIC outreach.
• Activity 3: Support in promoting the MRC social media accounts and posting of content.
• Activity 4: Other tasks assigned by the project team in line with the full, engaging and productive operationalisation of the MIC and general project support.

Deliverables:

• Activity 1: A monthly report on the clients’ pre and post evaluation and satisfaction surveys, including summary of challenges faced and solutions implemented or responses provided by MIC.
• Activity 2: A monthly report of MIC outreach, information campaigns and community education using the qualitative and quantitative reporting templates.
• Activity 3: A new set of MIC posts (at least 4 new substantive posts/guide/tips per month) uploaded and shared in MIC social media accounts
• Activity 4: Completed tasks assigned by the project team as required, general project support.

The deliverables must be submitted upon completion of each of the above-mentioned activities no later than 30 September 2026. The internship period is for 6 months commencing in April 2026.

Reporting Lines

On a regular basis, the intern will report to Ms. Golda Roma, Senior Project Manager and Mr. Shamir Shalih, MRC Coordinator. All applications will be sent to shamir.shalih@mrc-srilanka.org

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree related to the area of work.
• Minimum of 1 year of position-specific experience.
• Working experience with international organisations is an asset.
• Experience in office administration and management.
• Experience in working with local authorities and businesses.
• Solid IT skills, especially in the use of Excel and PowerPoint.
• Solid organisational skills, communication skills, ability to work in a team
• Strong sense of client orientation and good understanding of effective service delivery, community engagement, outreach and social work
• Proficiency in verbal and written English, Tamil and Sinhala.

Compensation:

ICMPD offers a monthly fee of EUR 200,00 and will provide accident insurance for the duration of the internship. However, the candidate is responsible for obtaining personal health insurance and covering own travel expenses.  If selected, the candidate must have the right to live and work in Sri Lanka.

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 should email their CV and Motivation Letter (in English) to shamir.shalih@mrc-srilanka.org

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants are expected to be available for an 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.