Thank you for your interest in interning at the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC). Interns contribute substantially to the work of ICMEC, and ICMEC’s staff work closely with interns to make the experience as rewarding as possible.
The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) is a private, nonprofit organization established more than 25 years ago. ICMEC is headquartered in the United States, with formal representation in numerous countries around the globe. ICMEC works to make the world a safer place for children by defending against child sexual exploitation, abuse, and the risk of going missing. ICMEC works with partners around the world to develop research, technologies, and educational resources to aid in the search and recovery of children who are missing, fight child sexual exploitation and empower caring professionals, institutions, and communities to safeguard children from all forms of sexual abuse.
The Koons Family Institute on International Law & Policy (The Koons Family Institute) is ICMEC’s in-house research arm. The Koons Family Institute defends children against sexual exploitation, abuse, or risk of going missing on multiple fronts by conducting and commissioning original research into the status of child protection laws around the world, creating replicable legal tools, promoting best practices, bringing together great thinkers and opinion leaders, and collaborating with partners to identify and measure threats to children and ways ICMEC can advocate change.
Our Mission
ICMEC envisions a world where children can grow up safe from exploitation, abuse, or the risk of going missing. We believe every child deserves a safe childhood. ICMEC’s mission is to advance child protection and safeguard vulnerable children around the world.
We do this by:
- building and improving systems to prevent and respond to cases of missing children, child sexual exploitation, or abuse;
- advocating for enhanced laws and policies;
- mobilizing industries to secure their technologies and platforms from becoming vehicles for abuse and exploitation;
- providing tools and training for criminal justice professionals to effectively investigate and prosecute cases of exploitation, abuse or children who are missing;
- safeguarding school environments; and
- empowering healthcare professionals to recognize and respond to child abuse and exploitation cases.
As the workload of ICMEC continues to grow and resources are stretched, the contributions of interns are extremely important. ICMEC interns who share the same belief in our goals help to make the success stories happen. ICMEC offers full‐ and part‐time internships each academic semester. Successful applicants will be highly motivated, detail-oriented, independent students with a passion for public interest work.
We are no longer accepting applications for the Fall 2024 intern class. Please check back later.
Internship positions:
The Legal Research Interns will support the Director of The Koons Family Institute by writing, editing, and conducting substantive legal and public policy research for a variety of publications, reports, white papers, and other projects. Interns may focus on topics such as child sexual abuse material, online grooming, missing children, child sex trafficking, child sexual abuse and exploitation, sextortion, and other related topics. Interns also may utilize foreign language skills and regional areas of expertise.
The Grants & Government Relations Intern [Arabic Speaking] will support ICMEC’s Executive Director for Government Relations (EDGR) by undertaking research and identifying appropriate grantors and funding opportunities with an emphasis on the Middle East, drafting small grant applications, and other assigned projects in the field of government relations. The selected candidate will also assist the EDGR with expanding the Global Missing Children’s Network into the Middle East. Furthermore, the intern will support the EDGR in developing institutional relationships with government entities and universities for the Agents of Change cost-free curriculum on combating child sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking, online and offline.
The Digital Design (NCB) Intern will support ICMEC’s National Capacity Building (NCB) program’s digital transformation by translating our programmatic work into compelling digital formats – all in support of ICMEC’s mission to help make the world safer for children. The Intern will enhance ICMEC’s web presence and develop specific products that support our projects and broader organizational goals. The Intern will assist ICMEC’s Graphic and Web Designer in creating engaging and impactful visual content for our digital platforms, including designing graphics for social media and marketing campaigns that align with ICMEC's brand and mission.
The Africa Program Research Intern will support ICMEC’s Regional Project Manager for Africa by researching child protection laws and policies in African countries, identifying gaps, and writing proposals. We are seeking interns with strong research, writing, and legal analytical skills, as well as excellent English, to conduct legal analysis and compare existing laws to regional and international best practices.
Specific requirements by internship position:
Legal Research Interns must:
- Be available to work 12 to 15 weeks, at least 15 hours per week (20+ hours preferred) during the Fall or Spring semesters; or
- Be available to work 8 to 12 weeks, at least 20 hours per week (30+ hours preferred) during the Summer term;
- Undergo initial and periodic background checks; and
- Have completed undergraduate studies (working toward a Master’s or Juris Doctorate degree strongly preferred). We will consider students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year of undergraduate studies with relevant experience.
The Grants and Government Relations Intern must:
- Be available to work until December 2024, at least 10 hours per week;
- Undergo initial and periodic background checks;
- Have impeccable writing, editing, and communication skills in Arabic and English;
- Speaking/reading/writing French or another third language fluently is a plus; and
- Have completed at least three years of undergraduate studies in Arabic, English, Pre-Law, Political Science, International Relations, International Business, Communications, Social Work, Medicine, or related field. Some graduate school preferred.
The Digital Design (NCB) Intern must:
- Be available to work 16 to 20 weeks, at least 10 hours per week (15+ hours preferred);
- Undergo initial and periodic background checks;
- Current students who have completed at least two years of study toward a degree in communication, marketing, graphic and web design, or related;
- Have excellent writing, editing, and communication skills in English, and at least one other language;
- A portfolio that displays creativity, design skills, and innovative ideas; and
- Professional experience is not required, but it’s a plus if you can demonstrate having had a work contract, internship, or freelance work in a related field.
The Africa Program Research Intern must:
- Be available to work 12 to 15 weeks, at least 15 hours per week (20+ hours preferred) during the Fall or Spring semesters.
- Be available to work 8 to 12 weeks, at least 20 hours per week (30+ hours preferred) during the Summer semester.
- Undergo initial and periodic background checks.
- Have excellent writing, editing, and communication skills in English.
- Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in Law, Research, or related field.
- Additional language skills preferred.
*Internships will be completed primarily remotely, with the possibility of limited in-person interaction in the ICMEC office in Alexandria, Virginia, if conditions allow.
Is the internship paid?
All internships are unpaid.
Is academic credit granted for the internship?
Internships may be granted academic credit (please refer to your school’s internship/externship requirements).
Does ICMEC provide housing?
ICMEC does not provide housing for interns nor do we provide a stipend to cover living expenses.
How do I apply?
An application form is available at www.icmec.org/careers. You can submit the application form online and please be sure to include a Statement of Purpose or cover letter, résumé/CV, official or unofficial transcripts, and a writing sample. For the Digital Design NCB Intern, please also submit Two (2) portfolio samples/books.
Point of Contact:
Internship Coordinator
International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
2318 Mill Road, Suite 1010
Alexandria, VA 22314
Applications must be received by the application deadline (though deadlines may be extended as needed):
- Spring Semester - December 31
- Summer semester - March 16
- Fall Semester - August 23
Your interest in ICMEC is very much appreciated, and we look forward to helping you have a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
What’s next?
You will hear from us as soon as your application has been reviewed, usually within three (3) weeks.
ICMEC is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, or other legally protected basis. All decisions regarding employment issues are based on a person’s overall qualifications and their ability to meet the position requirements.