Internships in the Office of the President
COVID-19 Note: You must have demonstrated proof of full vaccination to be considered for an on-site internship.
The President acts as the institutional head of the Mechanism. He is responsible for:
- The overall execution of the institution’s mandate;
- Representing the Mechanism before the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly and performing other representational functions;
- Coordinating the work of Chambers;
- Presiding over the proceedings of the Appeals Chamber;
- Supervising the enforcement of sentences; and
- The overall supervision of the activities of the Registry.
The Office of the President is composed of legal and administrative staff members located in Arusha and The Hague, who assist the President in the conduct of his duties. It is headed by the Chef de Cabinet and Principal Legal Advisor and its functioning reflects the one-institution approach of the Mechanism.
Internship Description
An internship in the Office of the President involves exciting legal work in a truly international environment. You will be part of a small team of dedicated lawyers who provide specialised legal, policy, and judicial support to the President and his Chef de Cabinet and Principal Legal Advisor. Your duties may include:
- Conducting comprehensive legal research;
- Assisting in the drafting and editing of decisions, orders and other legal documents;
- Assisting in the preparation of reports to the United Nations Security Council and United Nations General Assembly;
- Analysing relevant law, rules and policies;
- Assisting in the drafting of speeches or official correspondence;
- Providing support in advising on press and policy matters; and
- Observing court hearings.
The Office of the President welcomes interns at both the Arusha and The Hague branches of the Mechanism.
What we look for
The ideal candidate for an internship in the Office of the President:
- Possesses strong legal drafting, research and analysis skills;
- Demonstrates a keen interest in international criminal law, as well as public international law, criminal law, human rights law, international humanitarian law, or administrative law;
- Has experience in or is curious about diplomatic and policy work;
- Strives for excellence and has outstanding organisational capabilities; and
- Enjoys working in a dynamic and fast-paced team environment
English and French are the working languages of the Mechanism. Fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in oral and written French is an advantage. Check each vacancy notice for specific language requirements.