The Field Office Fellowships and Internships are designed to give post graduates and professionals an opportunity to serve in one of our 14 field offices. By being a fellow or intern you will participate in the work of protecting the rights of those subject to violent forms of oppression and human rights abuses.

Education and Work Experience

Field office fellowship or internship applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate university prior to their potential deployment. However, IJM will consider applications from those who do not have a college diploma but have significant work experience relevant to IJM's needs. Field office fellowships are designed for experienced professionals.

Christian Faith

IJM requires all fellows and interns to possess a mature orthodox Christian faith as defined by the Apostles' Creed.

Security Background Check

Candidates selected for an assignment may be subject to a security background check prior to deployment.

Training Week

The program begins with a required week of training held at IJM headquarters in Washington, D.C. The training sessions are led by IJM’s senior leadership and staff. During this time, trainees will learn about IJM’s history, spiritual foundations, corporate philosophies, legal and investigative strategies and current global operations.

Deployment Date

Selected candidates usually deploy to their field office assignment immediately after training week or within six weeks after training week, depending on the needs of the office. Later deployments may also be possible.

Housing, Travel and Safety

IJM staff will assist fellows and interns secure suitable housing near their placement. As fellows and interns arrive in their assigned country, an IJM staff member will meet them at the airport and help them adjust to a new culture. Although fellows and interns go through security training with IJM investigators before they are deployed to their international assignment, IJM encourages applicants to be cognizant of the inherent risks of traveling and living in the developing world.

Expenses

The positions are unpaid. There is a $500 training and administration cost for the internship. Interns and fellows have been successful in fundraising for the majority of their expenses through their church and individual supporters. Since IJM is a non-profit charitable organization, U.S. tax payers can receive a tax-deductible receipt from IJM when they donate funds to support an IJM fellow or intern.

Fellows and interns are responsible for all costs involved in their assignment. These costs include:

1. Travel and lodging in Washington, D.C. for training week;
2. Health Insurance (can elect to join IJM's group health insurance coverage) and required vaccinations;
3. Passport, visa and work permit fees;
4. One time Administration fee of $500;
5. Travel to overseas assignment;
6. General monthly living expenses while on assignment;
7. Any other general living and entertainment expenses.

Below are examples of monthly expenses reported by past participants. The costs are for basic expenses only and do not include additional expenses most people incur such as personal travel, phone, internet, toiletries and perhaps apartment furnishings.