Work Location
Arusha, Tanzania
Expected duration
3-6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational Setting and Reporting: The Office of the Registrar (“OR”) of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism”) invites applications for multiple legal internships in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, with potential starting dates between 23 March and 15 June 2026. The duration of the internship generally lasts between three (3) to six (6) months. Please indicate your preferred internship period in your cover letter. The Mechanism was established by the Security Council of the United Nations in 2010 to carry out a number of essential functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (“ICTR”) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (“ICTY”), after the completion of their respective mandates. In carrying out its ad hoc and continuous functions, the Mechanism maintains the legacies of these two pioneering international criminal tribunals and strives to reflect best practices in the field of international criminal justice. The advertised position is located in the Office of the Registrar, Registry, Arusha branch (“OR”), and under the direct supervision of the Internship Coordinator, a legal officer within the OR. The OR operating from both branches of the Mechanism, located in The Hague, The Netherlands and Arusha, Tanzania, provides legal, policy and diplomatic support to the Registrar in relation to the various functions. It also provides legal advice and support to all sections and units of the Registry including those related to administrative services. While the interns will mainly work in the OR, they may also provide support to Registry sections and units including the Mechanism Archives section, Judicial Records Unit and the Witness Support and Protection Unit. Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Internship Coordinator or any other Legal Officer in the OR, Arusha branch, interns provide legal and administrative support with respect to a range of functions. Responsibilities may include: (i) conducting research in the field of international, criminal, and administrative law; (ii) assisting with drafting and reviewing legal submissions, official correspondence, memoranda, talking points and decisions; (iii) drafting summaries of recent court filings; (iv) undertake routine research support tasks, including reference checking and compiling materials; and (v) assist with the appraisal of inactive records and transfer to the archives of the Mechanism. Interns may carry out any other duties as required. An internship with the Mechanism’s Registry is full-time and unpaid. The working hours are Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Interested candidates may visit the Mechanism’s internship website page at https://www.irmct. org/en/recruitment/internship/internship-programme to obtain general information including: (i) Programme Guidelines; (ii) Internship Programme; and (iii) Terms and Conditions of the Mechanism’s Internship Programme.
Qualifications/special skills
Candidates must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: (i) law students who are enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of their first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or (ii) law students enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree (Master’s Degree) or equivalent, or higher). No previous working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced studies or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Previous legal experience is desirable. Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the Mechanism. Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.
Additional Information
HOW TO APPLY: All applications must be submitted through the United Nations Inspira portal. The Mechanism is not able to accept applications for this vacancy via email. External applicants may go to https://careers.un.org/home?language=e Applicants must attach ALL of the following documents: 1. A cover letter, including an available start and end date for the internship; 2. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from academic or professional referees; 3. Copies of university/law studies transcripts, or enrolment (including courses taken and grades received); and 4. A writing sample, preferably in a field relevant to the work of the Mechanism and not longer than ten pages. ALL of the documents listed above are required. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Due to the number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Mechanism interns are responsible for all internship related expenses that they incur. Interns must therefore be able to cover their costs of travel, insurance, accommodation, as well as living expenses during the internship period. 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. 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 Mechanism. 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. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. There should be no expectation of employment by the United Nations or the Mechanism upon completion of the internship.
Intern Specific text
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.
No Fee
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.
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