Intern (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support)

Support MHPSS programmatic interventions in Iraq as an intern.

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Application deadline 3 months ago: Sunday 10 May 2026 at 20:59 UTC

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Overview

Support MHPSS programmatic interventions in Iraq as an intern.

You have:

  • Be enrolled in a Master’s Degree Programme in psychology, public health, social work, or related fields or have graduated with a master’s degree, and if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.
  • Experience applying migration, public and mental health, and rights-based approaches to MHPSS across a variety of settings.
  • Experience in drafting clear, concise, and well-organized reports, advocacy papers, and other written materials.
  • Experience conducting needs assessments and research on mental health-related issues and topics.
  • Fluency in English is required (oral and written).
  • Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
  • Candidates must be between 20 and 36 years of age.
  • Candidates must have less than two years of relevant working experience.

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read 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:

a) have a specific interest in, or whose studies have covered, areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities;

b) are holding a scholarship for internship placements in international organizations and/or for whom internship is required to complete their studies; or

c) are sponsored by governmental/non governmental institutions and/or academia to work in specific areas relevant to both IOM and the sponsor.

d) 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.

e) are between 20 and 36 years of age.

Background Information

This opportunity is exclusively open to internationals, and the Intern position will be performed remotely.

IOM operates in displacement camps, informal settlements and areas of return and relocation to provide specialised protection assistance. Protection activities aim to prevent and respond to human rights violations, including gender-based violence and exploitation. IOM’s overarching goal on protection is to place the rights and well-being of migrants, including IDPs, regardless of their status, at the centre of its operations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

  • Be enrolled in a Master’s Degree Programme in psychology, public health, social work, or related fields or have graduated with a master’s degree, and if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.

Experience

  • Experience applying migration, public and mental health, and rights-based approaches to MHPSS across a variety of settings.
  • Experience in drafting clear, concise, and well-organized reports, advocacy papers, and other written materials.
  • Experience conducting needs assessments and research on mental health-related issues and topics.

Skills

  • Proven ability to manage remote work effectively and maintain collaboration across virtual teams
  • Strong understanding of MHPSS and key frameworks in MHPSS in emergency settings, migration
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work in a team and in multicultural environments
  • Ability to work effectively, harmoniously, and independently in a remote working setting
  • Great attention to detail and ability to organize
  • Ability to produce quality work according to set deadlines

Languages

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

Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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.

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, and 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 e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates, link 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

Responsibilities

Supervision

Under the general guidance of the Deputy Chief of Mission, the overall supervision of the Head, Mobility Pathways and Inclusion Division (MPI), and the direct supervision of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Programme Coordinator, the successful candidate will support MPI in MHPSS programmatic interventions in Iraq. The intern will work alongside the MHPSS team in Iraq to identify needs, gaps, and challenges, and to make recommendations to strengthen the MHPSS programme. Additionally, the intern will help prepare meeting agendas and summaries, respond to information requests, and participate in relevant forums. The intern will also support the drafting of donor reports on MHPSS activities across Iraq. Currently, IOM supports the Government of Iraq’s efforts to strengthen the health system across seven governorates.

  • Support the design and production of MHPSS visibility and advocacy products.
  • Contribute to MHPSS needs assessments and research.
  • Support with identifying innovative integrated MHPSS approaches in Iraq.
  • Support IOM Iraq’s MHPSS integration approach through the sharing of ideas.
  • Draft advocacy points on MHPSS Iraq.
  • Support in identifying MHPSS needs, gaps, and challenges in Iraq.
  • Participate in meetings on MHPSS and provide meeting minutes/reports.
  • Prepare meetings with agendas and summaries, background documents, and summaries of the proceedings.
  • Draft donor reports and any other donor-related documents.
  • Respond to information requests and participate in relevant forums upon request.
  • Undertake other tasks related to MHPSS in Iraq.

Learning Objectives

  • Gain knowledge on the operations of MHPSS programming in a post-conflict setting
  • Gain experience in developing key messages for MHPSS advocacy products
  • Gain experience in the implementation of MHPSS research and assessments

Training Components and Learning Elements

  • Training in IOM’s community-based MHPSS approach for conflict / post-conflict settings
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Report and advocacy piece writing

Potential interview questions

Describe a situation where you had to work on a remote team. What challenges did you face and how did you manage them? This question assesses your ability to navigate remote work dynamics and manage collaboration effectively. Discuss specific tools you used for communication and project management, and provide examples of overcoming challenges.
What is your understanding of MHPSS in the context of migration, and why is it important? The interviewer wants to gauge your knowledge of MHPSS and how it relates to migration issues. Pro members can see the explanation.
Give an example of a time when you conducted a needs assessment. What methods did you use and what was the outcome? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks while working under tight deadlines? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you share an experience where you had to communicate complex information to a non-expert audience? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What motivational factors drive you to pursue an internship in the mental health and psychosocial support field? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you handle a disagreement with a team member regarding a project approach? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain a situation where you had to adapt your work style to fit a diverse cultural environment. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 4 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: iom.int