The International Organization for Migration (IOM) invites applications for the position of Environment Peacebuilding Intern based in Nairobi, Kenya. This internship provides an opportunity for young professionals and recent graduates to contribute to one of IOM’s key initiatives in environmental peacebuilding while gaining first-hand experience in the implementation of international development and stabilization projects.
IOM is a leading intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration by advancing understanding of migration issues, encouraging social and economic development through migration, and upholding the well-being and dignity of migrants. Through its various thematic areas, IOM addresses complex challenges arising from migration, environmental change, and conflict.
The Environmental Peacebuilding Internship offers a unique platform for interns to engage in meaningful work aligned with IOM’s mission and values. The selected intern will work closely with the Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) under the guidance of experienced professionals, contributing directly to the ongoing project, “Forging a Greener Peace in the Hirshabelle State of Somalia (FGP).” This project aims to promote sustainable environmental practices as a means of fostering peace and stability in conflict-affected areas.
This role provides valuable exposure to field-level programming, project management, and inter-agency collaboration, while enabling the intern to develop professional skills in environmental governance, sustainable development, and migration-related policy implementation.
Background Information
The intern will work under the overall guidance of the Senior Programme Coordinator of the Community Stabilization Unit and the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (Environmental Peacebuilding). Collaboration will extend to the broader CSU team and relevant programme managers.
The primary purpose of the internship is to assist in the planning, implementation, and reporting of the Environmental Peacebuilding project, ensuring efficient coordination and communication across different project components and stakeholders. The intern will contribute to activities such as drafting proposals, assisting in procurement, monitoring project progress, supporting reporting, and documenting success stories and lessons learned.
The project focuses on strengthening resilience in Somalia’s Hirshabelle State by addressing environmental degradation and promoting sustainable natural resource management as tools for peace and stability. As such, the intern’s contributions will support IOM’s overarching goals in conflict prevention, stabilization, and sustainable development.
Job Description
The intern will provide day-to-day support in the management of project activities and coordination among internal and external partners. Specific areas of work include:
Supervision
The intern will operate under the overall guidance of the Senior Programme Coordinator within the Community Stabilization Unit and direct supervision of the Programme Officer (Environmental Peacebuilding). The intern will coordinate closely with other CSU team members, field offices, and relevant programme managers to ensure coherence and consistency in project implementation.
Responsibilities
- Project Support and Coordination
- Assist in drafting activity proposals for initiatives under the Forging a Greener Peace (FGP) project.
- Support field teams in identifying target communities and project locations that align with the project’s environmental and peacebuilding objectives.
- Help prepare documentation for internal coordination and planning meetings.
- Liaise with internal units such as finance, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and compliance to facilitate smooth implementation of project activities.
- Procurement and Administrative Assistance
- Assist with creating and tracking Purchase Requisition forms related to project activities.
- Monitor administrative processes to ensure timely completion of procurement tasks and payment instalments for implementing partners.
- Maintain organized documentation and filing systems related to procurement, contracts, and donor correspondence.
- Reporting and Documentation
- Contribute to the drafting of interim and final narrative reports for the project donor, ensuring accuracy and compliance with reporting standards.
- Assist in collecting and analyzing project data, ensuring that all results are well-documented and supported by evidence.
- Support the preparation of briefing notes, progress updates, and summary reports for internal use and stakeholder dissemination.
- Communications and Knowledge Sharing
- Collaborate with the communications team to extract key lessons, case studies, and success stories from the project for public communication and awareness campaigns.
- Assist in preparing visual and written content for dissemination through IOM’s communication channels, including newsletters, websites, and partner platforms.
- Participate in the development of knowledge products and learning materials to highlight innovative approaches and outcomes from the environmental peacebuilding work.
- Field and Partner Coordination
- Facilitate coordination with implementing partner organizations such as the Berghof Foundation and local partners working on environmental and peacebuilding activities.
- Assist in maintaining communication with field teams to track the implementation of activities and ensure compliance with project goals and standards.
- Participate in meetings, workshops, and training sessions relevant to environmental peacebuilding and community stabilization.
- Monitoring and Evaluation Support
- Support the M&E unit in tracking project performance indicators and collecting data from field teams.
- Assist in analyzing project outcomes to identify achievements, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
- Contribute to the preparation of visual dashboards and summary tables illustrating project progress and impact.
- Government and Stakeholder Engagement
- Assist in coordinating with government representatives and relevant stakeholders through established working groups.
- Support the preparation of meeting notes, policy briefs, and presentations for governmental and partner consultations.
- Facilitate communication between IOM and governmental institutions involved in environmental governance and stabilization initiatives.
- Other Responsibilities
- Undertake additional tasks as assigned to support the implementation of the Environmental Peacebuilding project and other related activities under the Community Stabilization Unit.
- Contribute to the improvement of internal processes and provide feedback for more efficient project execution.
Learning Objectives
Throughout the internship period, the intern will gain valuable insights into IOM’s operational structure and the implementation of environmental peacebuilding programmes within the United Nations system. Learning outcomes will include:
- Hands-on experience in project management and coordination within an international development setting.
- Understanding of IOM’s role as an intergovernmental organization working in migration, environmental sustainability, and community stabilization.
- Development of technical skills in report writing, data management, communications, and environmental programming.
- Enhanced knowledge of inter-agency collaboration, donor reporting, and project monitoring and evaluation processes.
- Access to online learning resources available to IOM staff, offering courses on project management, humanitarian work, and development programming.
- Exposure to the interaction between migration, environment, and peacebuilding in a post-conflict context.
Training Components and Learning Elements
The internship will be structured to ensure that the intern acquires a comprehensive understanding of the key operational and policy frameworks guiding IOM’s work. Specific learning opportunities include:
- Practical exposure to the design and implementation of projects linking environmental sustainability with peacebuilding objectives.
- Interaction with multiple stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, UN agencies, and community-based organizations.
- Engagement in developing communications and knowledge-sharing products aimed at disseminating lessons learned and best practices.
- Participation in coordination and review meetings to understand decision-making and accountability processes within international organizations.
Required Competencies
Interns at IOM are expected to uphold the organization’s values and demonstrate the following competencies:
- Inclusion and Respect for Diversity: Recognizes and promotes individual and cultural differences, fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace.
- Integrity and Transparency: Upholds high ethical standards and acts consistently with organizational rules and principles.
- Professionalism: Demonstrates dedication, competence, and sound judgment in daily tasks and decision-making.
- Courage: Shows the willingness to take initiative and address challenges proactively.
- Empathy: Displays compassion and respect in interactions with colleagues and partners.
Core Competencies
- Teamwork: Encourages collaboration within and across teams to achieve shared objectives.
- Delivering Results: Produces quality work in a timely and service-oriented manner.
- Managing and Sharing Knowledge: Actively seeks opportunities to learn, share information, and innovate.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of tasks, ensuring reliability and adherence to commitments.
- Communication: Promotes clear, open, and effective communication, presenting complex matters in an understandable and motivating way.
Additional Information
- Any offer for this internship is subject to funding confirmation.
- The appointment is contingent on medical fitness certification, verification of residency, and necessary government authorizations.
- Depending on experience and duty station, interns may receive a modest monthly stipend to help offset expenses.
- Interns benefiting from other financial support or scholarships may not be eligible for an IOM stipend.
- IOM provides insurance coverage against occupational accidents and illnesses during the internship but does not cover non-occupational medical expenses. Interns are required to have personal health insurance.
- IOM enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
- No fees are charged at any stage of the recruitment or application process.
- Applications must be submitted exclusively through the IOM online recruitment system.
Job Information
- Position Title: Environment Peacebuilding Intern
- Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
- Posting Date: 29 October 2025
- Application Deadline: 4 November 2025 (23:59)
- Contract Type: Internship (2–6 months)
- Expected Duration: 5 months
- Work Schedule: Full-time, Day shift
- Grade: UG
- Job Category: Other
- Recruitment Type: Intern
- Languages Required: Fluency in English; working knowledge of Somali is an advantage
- Travel Required: No
Applications should be submitted online through the IOM Careers website.
