IBA ICC & ICL LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS)

admin December 5, 2021

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Apply for the IBA ICC & ICL Legal Internship Programme (The Hague)

DEADLINE: 31st January 2022

About the IBA

The foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, the IBA was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice. In the ensuing 70 years since its creation, the organisation has evolved, from an association comprised exclusively of bar associations and law societies, to one that incorporates individual international lawyers and entire law firms. The present membership is comprised of more than 80,000 individual international lawyers from most of the world’s leading law firms and some 190 bar associations and law societies spanning more than 170 countries.

The IBA has considerable expertise in providing assistance to the global legal community, and through its global membership it influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession throughout the world.

About the Internship

ICL interns are based in the IBA Hague office at Nassaulaan 19, supporting the IBA ICC and ICL programme.

The International Bar Association (IBA) commenced the IBA International Criminal Court (ICC) programme in 2005. The Programme monitors issues related to fairness and equality of arms at the ICC and other Hague-based war crimes tribunals and encourages the legal community to engage with the work of these Courts. The IBA’s work includes thematic legal analysis of proceedings, and ad hoc evaluations of legal, administrative and institutional issues which could potentially affect the rights of defendants, the impartiality of proceedings and the development of international justice.

The Programme also acts as the interface between the Courts and the global legal community. As such, special focus is placed on monitoring emerging issues of particular relevance to lawyers and collaborating with key partners on specific activities to increase engagement of the legal community on ICC and ICL issues.

Programme information is disseminated through regular reports, expert discussions, workshops and other events and expert legal analysis on issues relevant to our mandate.

The IBA’s ICC & ICL programme consults and interacts with Courts’ officials, civil society organisations, academics and international lawyers.

Main responsibilities include:

Extensive research and writing;
Collection of material for IBA reports;
Analysis of evolving ICL jurisprudence and policy developments;
Preparation of briefing notes for meetings, presentations and events;
Assist with updating the Programme pages on the IBA website;
Assist with organising internal database of research material;
Assist with routine office administration as required.

Skills and experience required:

Advanced studies in international criminal, humanitarian and/or human rights law;
Excellent research, writing and analysis skills;
Strong interpersonal oral and written skills;
Familiarity with computer based research;
Fluent written and spoken English;
Experience organising or contributing to workshops and/or seminars advantageous;
Prior intern experience at the ICC, ICTY or other international organization is advantageous;

Length of Internship

The Hague office currently has intakes for 3-month periods, with the possibility of an extension for another 3 months.
If your application is successful, you will receive an email invitation for an online interview.
The Hague office only corresponds with shortlisted candidates and within 4 weeks after the closing date.
Applications for The Hague close 2 months prior to the start date.

For more information, closing dates and to download the application forms click here

Application form and process advice

After you have selected the team you wish to apply for, it is important that you thoroughly research the work of that team and convey your passion for that specific internship in your application and interview.
The application process involves sending a CV/resume, cover letter, application form and writing sample (max.5 pages long) to [email protected] before the closing date.
As a large proportion of the work you will undertake during the internship will involve writing reports, letters, or assisting in the preparation of academic articles, we ask for a writing sample as part of the application process, on a topic of your choosing. This is useful for us to see how you structure a piece of written work and how you form and support an argument.
We aim to inform you if you have been successful and invite you to interview approximately 4 weeks after the closing date.
Please note that due to the need for the IBA Hague Office to comply with The Netherlands’ guidelines for COVID-19, the ICC & ICL Internship Programme is now offered as a limited remote internship only, for the duration of 3 months.