GAATW Intern/Volunteer Program
GAATW strives to maintain the international nature of its work through opportunities for students/volunteers from different countries and regions. GAATW is committed to work for changes in the political, economic, social and legal systems and structures which contribute to the persistence of trafficking in persons and other human rights violations in the context of migratory movements for diverse purposes, including security of labour and livelihood. GAATW supports the sharing of knowledge, working experiences and working methodologies amongst its members and allies, in order to enhance the efficiency of collective anti-trafficking activities. If you are interested in joining the GAATW-International Secretariat (GAATW-IS) as an intern you will enhance the work and advocacy of GAATW so it reaches across regions.
The GAATW International Secretariat (IS) receives a large number of enquiries and expressions of interest from people wanting to volunteer or take up an internship programme. Volunteers & Interns: Although many people seem to be using these two terms synonymously we make a clear distinction between the two.
Volunteers:
- A volunteer has a flexible schedule and agrees to take up tasks or support GAATW staff in any task which has priority for us at a certain time. For example, if we are organising a regional/thematic workshop we may be able to use the services of a volunteer in handling additional communications and other logistical work. Or a volunteer's help might be needed for research support, library cataloguing and/or creating back up data for the organisation.
- A volunteer can choose to give a certain number of hours per week and in consultation with the staff s/he works with, a flexible schedule can be worked out. Volunteering is an unpaid position at the GAATW-IS although in some instances a honorarium can be arranged. The minimum period for volunteering varies; if it is for an event it could be for a few weeks, if it is for a specific task it could take longer. However, if you are travelling from another country just to take up volunteering, you should set aside at least three months for it. It does take time to get used to a new city and certainly to a new office environment.
Please note: If you are interested in taking up hands-on work such as providing assistance to victims of human trafficking, the GAATW-IS is not the best place for it. This office is mainly a service and support organisation for GAATW’s member organisations. Our main work is communications, documentation, research and advocacy. Skills in those areas are extremely useful for our work. You do not need to speak Thai to be able to work in this office as English is the working language.
Applications for volunteer positions are accepted only when there is an announcement from the GAATW-IS.
Interns:
Interns need to have a clear research and documentation project to work on. The project can be initiated by the intern him/herself or it can be developed in consultation with the International Coordinator of GAATW. In any case, the project will need to be in line with GAATW's strategic goals and current programme priorities. Interested persons are requested to send in their letters of interest and application form well ahead of time as detailed discussions and some preparations on the planned project are necessary prior to the start of the internship. Structured supervision can be arranged for the intern in line with her/his university’s requirement and GAATW’s personnel policies.
Please note that it is important to have a clear and concise application to help us make a decision and expedite the process. We encourage you to share with us your main motivation behind wanting to pursue an internship program with GAATW, specify the skills and experience which you have that might be useful for our work and tell us the timeframe which is suitable for you. You can write to Michelle at
Other opportunities: Intern with GAATW Members
We have been receiving applications from graduate students who would like to do hands-on work for organisations providing direct support services. As the International Secretariat of an Alliance, we take the initiative to referring some applications to our Thailand-based members or other member organisations who have the capacity to take in interns. We have successfully organised an internship to one of our self-organised groups in Nepal. And here’s what she had to say about her six-month internship experience:
My internship time was full of valuable experiences and encounters. I am taking a new mindset and a pot of new conceptual ideas. Thank you very much for your kind support!
Caroline Rehm
April-September 2013
Frequently Asked Questions
How to apply for GAATW’s Internship Programme:
- All prospective Interns are requested to visit the GAATW website and read the relevant information such as the Basic Principles, Mission Statement, and our current strategic priorities.
- Send us your letter of motivation and a short writing sample (1-3 pages).
- Send your application to Michelle, Communications Officer at the GAATW International Secretariat at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . - Applications are received and reviewed according to our internship programme announcement. Please check the schedule before sending your submission.
- Please note that Interns are personally responsible for obtaining their visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in the country of their nationality/residence. Visa matters are handled solely by the Thai Government through their representations abroad. Usually, prospective interns are granted non-immigrant O visa for 3 or 6 months (with either a single, double or multiple entries) as the unpaid internship does not count as employment.
What will I learn and take away from this experience?
The aim of our internship programme is to give you exposure to the GAATW programme work of GAATW-IS. You will be given the opportunity to support and learn from a multi-cultural IS team. As an intern at the GAATW-IS, we look forward to the valuable contributions to our daily work and challenges with your creative ideas, academic thinking and research experience.
How long is the Internship?
The minimum period of internship is 3 months and the maximum is 6 months.
Is the internship paid?
GAATW does not remunerate interns in any way. All costs related to an intern's participation in the programme must be borne by the applicant who will have to make his/her own arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, etc. We encourage prospective interns to apply for student grants beforehand.
However, if there are costs incurred by an intern/volunteer in as part of his/her function at the International Secretariat, s/he shall be reimbursed by the GAATW Finance Officer under the same rules as costs reimbursed to full-time staff members.
What do previous interns say about the Programme?
My name is Kelly, and I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, where I major in Political Science and minor in Global Development Studies. My internship with the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) was a transformative experience that allowed me to apply the knowledge I’ve gained in my studies while deepening my understanding of women’s experiences with migration and exploitation.
As a Communications Advisor and Research Assistant, I took on various responsibilities, including transcribing interviews, editing reports, gathering partner updates, and collecting and sharing data. This role provided me with hands-on experience and allowed me to expand my technical skills, such as mastering Excel, while also enhancing my leadership capabilities through tasks like leading team meetings. Additionally, living in Bangkok, Thailand, for six months was an incredible cross-cultural experience that greatly contributed to my personal growth.
Above all, working alongside the amazing, passionate women at the GAATW office was a truly inspiring experience. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked with GAATW on such meaningful work and to learn from a team that is making a real difference in the world.
Kelly Van Der Heide, Political Science undergraduate major, University of Victoria
May-October, 2023