The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism” or “MICT”), formally referred to as the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, is mandated to perform a number of essential functions previously carried out by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (“ICTR”) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (“ICTY”). In carrying out its multiple functions , the MICT maintains the legacies of these two pioneering ad hoc international criminal courts and strives to reflect best practices in the field of international criminal justice. The MICT is located in The Hague, The Netherlands. General
information on the MICT and its internship program may be found on the MICT web site's internship pages including:
http://www.unmict.org/en
http://www.unmict.org/en/about
http://www.unmict.org/en/recruitment/internship-programme
A MICT internship is UNPAID and full-time. Core working hours for interns are Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned. Additional hours may be required to meet deadlines for specific projects. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned. The duration of a MICT internship can range from a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months, according to the needs of the intern's assigned office. Applications will be reviewed and internship offers extended on a rolling basis.
This position is located in the Court Support Services Section (CSSS) within the Registry and under the direct supervision and direction of an Internship Coordinator who is generally a Court Officer within the Court Operations Unit (COU) or other legal officer. COU ensures the smooth and efficient operation of court proceedings and its primary purpose is to facilitate all court proceedings, including not only trials but also hearings, conferences and depositions. COU has responsibility for making all necessary organizational and judicial arrangements for court proceedings and is responsible for the receipt, filing, reproduction and public dissemination of court documents, including transcripts, exhibits, arrest warrants, indictments, motions, briefs and court orders issued by the Chambers. COU is also the official custodian and maintains the archives of all official court case records which include audio visual records. In addition, COU is host of a large amount of administrative legal projects. Interns are incorporated in all CSSS and COU tasks and are provided with projects to be completed before the end of their internship. Finally, CSSS also provides legal support to the Witness Support and Operation and the Witness Protection Unit (WISP).
Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with CSSS, COU and WISP management, Court Officers, Pro Se Legal Liaison Officer and Judicial Archives Unit. Interns assist with a broad
range of projects, including: support on administrative legal issues for the daily tasks of the Court Officers; updating the WISP database, researching and drafting submissions, reports, and correspondence with internal and external authorities; research on judicial activities and elaboration of judicial advice related to issues concerning procedure and judicial practices of hearings; involvement with the arrival or departure of detained persons from/to The Hague. Interns may also perform routine tasks such as compiling and collating materials, and other duties as assigned by CSSS.
•Professionalism – Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
•Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
•Teamwork – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
•Planning and Organising – Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
•Technological Awareness – Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
•Respect for Diversity – Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats men and women equally; shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; does not discriminate against any individual or group.
Candidates for internships in CSSS are required to (a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or (c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above), and if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Applicants must demonstrate technological awareness and be able to use computers
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participating in the programme, and must be at least 18 years old. Previous experience in a legal work environment is an asset.
English and French are the working languages of the Tribunal. Fluency in oral and written English is required. English and French are the working languages of the Tribunal. Fluency in oral and written English is required and knowledge of French, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Macedonian or Albanian will be considered an asset.
A complete online application including ALL of the documents listed below is required. Please note that documents may only be in English or French, and that incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Applicants must attach ALL of the following documents to each application:
1. Acceptance and Undertaking
2. Cover letter stating the reasons for applying.
3. Two letters of recommendation;
4. Copies of university/law studies transcripts (including courses taken and grades received);
5. A scanned copy of the applicant’s valid medical insurance or a signed statement confirming intent to obtain medical insurance while in The Netherlands.
6. A sample of written work (in English or French) preferably in a field relevant to the work of the MICT and preferably no more than ten pages long.
Interns must keep confidential any and all unpublished information obtained during the course of the internship and not publish any reports or papers based on such information except with the explicit written authorization of the Chief of Human Resources of the MICT. Interns are bound by the same duties and obligations as staff members, and the information to which an intern has access in the course of the internship must not be divulged to external parties. Each prospective intern must sign the Acceptance and Undertaking Form to indicate their understanding and acceptance of this stipulation. This form must be included in every application.
On completion of their internship, interns are required to complete a substantive report on their assignments. This will be included in their file and will be forwarded, upon request, to the sponsoring institution, government body or private organization.
There should be no expectation of employment by the United Nations or the MICT upon completion of the internship.
MICT interns are responsible for all internship-related expenses that they incur. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship. Therefore, upon award of an internship, interns are responsible for securing adequate insurance coverage and are required to sign and return a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of these conditions of service.
Candidates of certain nationalities must obtain a visa authorizing their stay in The Netherlands before they depart for The Hague to begin their internship. While this is the overall responsibility of the selected candidate, the Registry will provide information and supporting documents in this regard.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.