Purpose:
The purpose of this internship is to support International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) in the development of three priority policies, Health and Safety, PSEAH/Safeguarding, and Gender Mainstreaming, ensuring their alignment with relevant international standards, current good practices, and the evolving needs of a modern international organization.
About the Learning Experience
This internship offers an advanced student the opportunity to gain firsthand insight into human resources and policy design within an international organization. Working under the close guidance of the Head of Human Resources, the intern will learn how multilateral standards are translated into practical workplace policies and procedures.
The focus of this placement is applied research, comparative analysis, and practical drafting. The intern will receive continuous feedback and mentorship, learning how to take an organizational policy from initial concept to a structured first working draft.
What You Will Learn and Contribute
Under the supervision and guidance of the Head of Human Resources, the Intern will:
- Conduct research, benchmark, and analyze international standards (such as UN guidelines, ILO principles, and peer organization practices) across core organizational themes.
- Support drafting three policies: Health and Safety, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) / Safeguarding and Gender Mainstreaming
- Develop practical drafting skills by formulating initial working drafts (zero-drafts) of policy frameworks, and learning how to define scopes, establish clear procedures, and structure institutional texts.
- Participate in consultations with colleagues across operations and programs to understand how headquarters policies support field realities.
- Work through structured review cycles with the Head of Human Resources, learning how to incorporate executive feedback, refine legal/administrative language, and preparing summary briefs.
Who we are looking for
- Currently enrolled in a master’s degree or in the final year of a bachelor’s program in International Law, Human Rights, International Relations, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
- A strong interest in institutional rules, good analytical and research habits, and the ability to write clear, structured English.
- An inquisitive learner who is comfortable asking questions, synthesizing complex information, and proposing initial ideas on paper.
- Professional proficiency in written and spoken English.
BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS INTERNSHIP PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
Duration: Internships are available for periods ranging from two to six months. The intern’s preference as to start date and length of internship must be specified with the application.
Minimum age: The intern should be more than 19 years of age on the date of application.
Working hours: This is a part-time position (28-32 hours per week; on a hybrid/on-site basis at ICMP HQ in The Hague). As agreed with the supervisor, the intern must provide written notice in case of illness or other unavoidable circumstances that prevent them from observing the agreed working hours.
Visa and travel: Interns are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas. If required, ICMP may request the host state to assist a selected intern in obtaining visas. Costs and arrangements for travel, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of intern.
Insurance: Interns are responsible for obtaining valid medical insurance coverage and providing proof of the same to ICMP prior to the start of the internship placement.
Conduct and confidentiality: Interns are required to sign and abide by the ICMP Code of Ethical Conduct. ICMP has the authority to terminate any internship due to unsatisfactory performance or conduct.
Privileges and immunities: In the Hague, the Netherlands – unless Dutch nationals or otherwise entitled to residency in the Netherlands – interns will be registered with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a maximum period of six months and are obliged to leave the Netherlands within 15 (fifteen) days after the end of their internship with ICMP.
Remuneration: This is an unpaid internship.
VN end date: 02 November 2026
ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.
There should be no expectation of employment by the International Commission on Missing Persons upon completion of the internship.
We kindly ask that applicants review the position details carefully to ensure their skills and experience align with the role before submitting their applications.