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 22 years ago. ICMEC is headquartered in the United States, with formal representation in Australia, Brazil, Singapore, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Kenya. 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.
Unfortunately, we are no longer accepting applications for the Summer 2023 internship period as the positions have been filled.
ICMEC typically seeks applicants for our Legal Research Internship, Education and Child Protection Internship, and Social Science Research Internship.
The Legal Research Intern 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 revenge pornography, and other related topics. Interns also may utilize foreign language skills and regional areas of expertise.
The Education and Child Protection Intern will support ICMEC's Director of Global School Initiatives by curating and sorting resources that will be shared on the project's website to help schools all over the world in developing and maintaining strong child safeguarding programs. Interns may also assist in developing training materials and modules for international educators and school staff members. Interns may focus on topics such as the use of risk assessments in schools, parent education, case studies as training tools, and safeguarding vulnerable groups. Interns also may utilize foreign language skills and regional areas of expertise.
The Social Science Research Intern will support the Director of Global Missing Children’s Issues by writing, editing, and conducting substantive research for a variety of publications, reports, white papers, and other projects. Interns may focus on topics such as the use of risk assessments in missing child cases, the implementation of return interviews in missing child cases to assess harm, gaining a broader understanding of the definition of missing, and analyzing the scope of the problem of missing children globally. Interns also may utilize foreign language skills and regional areas of expertise.
What are the requirements to intern at ICMEC?
- 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 term;
- Undergo initial and periodic background checks; and
- For Legal Research Interns - 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.
- For Social Science Research Interns - Have completed undergraduate studies (working toward a Master’s in social work, sociology, anthropology, public policy, and other related fields is strongly preferred).
*In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, internships will continue to 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, though ICMEC does provide a small stipend to help defray commuting costs. Internships also 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, official or unofficial transcripts, and a writing sample.
Point of Contact:
Internship Coordinator
International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
2318 Mill Road, Suite 1010
Alexandria, VA 22314
Fax: +1.703.549.4504
Applications must be received by the application deadline (though deadlines may be extended as needed):
- August 16 for Fall semester;
- December 31 for Spring semester; or
- March 16 for Summer semester. - We are no longer accepting applications for the Summer 2023 internship period.
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.