Intern, Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology (Syria Program)

Organization profile

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is an international organization with its Headquarters situated in The Hague, the Netherlands. ICMP’s mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating missing persons. ICMP works globally, with field programs across the world. To learn more about ICMP click here.

Internship Setting

The Anthropology and Archaeology Division (AAD) is led by the Head of Anthropology and Archaeology Division and provides assistance in the search, recovery, documentation, examination and analysis of mortal remains and evidence. AAD experts conduct forensic examinations, DNA sampling, mortuary casework management, strategic planning, assessments and gap analyses. Furthermore, AAD supports the investigation of crime scenes and mass and other clandestine graves. The intern will assist the AAD in fulfilling these responsibilities by carrying out certain tasks for the Syria Program.

Main duties and responsibilities 

Under the guidance of the Head of Anthropology and Archaeology Division, the Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology intern will assist the Syria Program in the following duties and responsibilities:

• Working remotely, the intern will be provided with an overview of the Online Inquiry Center (OIC) and the ways in which information related to missing persons and sites of potential forensic interest can be reported.
• The intern will be introduced to ICMP OSNIT analysist and gain an understanding of the workflow processes involved in receiving and reviewing reports of alleged sites of forensic interest.
• The intern will review up to 100 site reports submitted to ICMP via the OIC relating to Syria and using OSINT skills provide a written summary of each report.
• At the end of the internship, the intern will prepare a report on their activities.
  

Requirements

Candidates for this internship must:

• Be enrolled in or have recently completed a university degree program in the areas of forensic archaeology, forensic anthropology or a related field;
• Be proficient in written and spoken English and Arabic;
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Access, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Teams;
• Be capable of working independently, with a strong sense of initiative and responsibility while also being able to work as part of a team;
• Proven ability to adapt to a multicultural and multilingual working environment and to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality or gender;
• Commitment to the underlying objective of helping the authorities and families of the missing to account for missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner. 
  

Prior experience working in a forensic archaeology/anthropology department, at the national or international level, would be considered an asset.

BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS INTERNSHIP PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

Starting date and duration: As soon as possible. Internships are available for periods ranging from 3 (three) to 4 (four) months. 

Minimum age: The intern should be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the date of application.

Working hours: This is a full-time position (40 hours/per week; Monday to Friday). As agreed with their supervisor, the intern must provide written notice in case of illness or other unavoidable circumstances that prevent them from observing these working hours.

Work arrangement: This is a remote position. ICMP is unable to provide the intern with office equipment for remote work arrangements.

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.

Renumeration: This is an unpaid internship.

Expected start date: 15 March 2026

VN end date: 6 March 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.