Requisition ID 24372 - Posted  - Internship - Legal Affairs - The Hague - NL

24372 | Registry 

Organisational Unit: Office of Public Counsel for the Victims, Registry  
Duty Station: The Hague - NL
Contract Duration: 6 months
Deadline for Applications: 19/04/2026 (midnight The Hague time)

Due to the volume of applications received, only successful applicants will be contacted by the Court.

Required Documents for this Application

Please note that you will need to have the following information ready in order to complete your application:

  • A completed “Duties and Responsibilities Form” (refer to step 1 on your eRecruitment Profile page).
  • Motivation letter (maximum of 400 words in French or English). Two reference letters (one academic).
  • Scanned copies of university degrees and/or diplomas.
  • Scanned copies of official academic transcripts that state your courses, subject, results and completion date.

Contract Duration

Interns are required to work full time for a period of six months (to be agreed to prior to commencement).

The Opportunity

The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crime of aggression. The Court is participating in the global fight to end impunity, and through the international criminal justice, the Court aims to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes and to help prevent the crimes from happening again. You can contribute to this cause by joining the ICC.

Organisational Context

The Statute of the International Criminal Court establishes an internationally new and unique system for the participation of victims in proceedings before the Court. In addition, the Statute provides victims with the right to apply for reparation for harm suffered as a result of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.

Given the complexity of the procedures governing the functioning of the Court, victims are represented and assisted by lawyers.

Regulation 81 of the Regulations of the Court has established the Office of Public Counsel for Victims to assist victims in participating in proceedings and seeking reparations. The Office  falls within the Registry solely for administrative purposes and otherwise shall function as a wholly independent entity. Members of the Office act as legal representatives of victims and assist external legal representatives. In carrying out their tasks, they act independently and are bound by the Code of Professional Conduct for Counsel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of a legal officer, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

a)       Assist in drafting legal memoranda and produce researches on a wide range of legal issues;

b)       Prepare factual background documents on the situations and cases before the Court;

c)       Assist in drafting legal opinions;

d)       Review evidence and prepare witness summary;

e)       Undertake ad hoc legal assignments as requested.

Required Qualifications

Education:

All Candidates must have a Law degree or be in the final stages of their legal studies at a recognised university. Candidates are expected to have a very good record of academic performance. University studies in the field of criminal law, public international law, humanitarian law, human rights law, or comparative law would be an asset.

Experience:

Internship placements focus on candidates in the early stages of their professional careers. Practical experience is not an essential prerequisite for selection. However, practical experience that is relevant to the work of the Court may be considered an asset, but should not exceed 3 (three) years.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

•        Able to adapt to multicultural and multilingual working environments.

•        Possesses strong teamwork skills (listens, consults and communicates proactively).

•        Has acquired a good standard of computer skills (including Microsoft Office applications).

Knowledge of Languages:

Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, French or English, is required. Working knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of  Arabic and Filipino (Tagalog) is an asset.

Other criteria:

It is the Court’s objective to have diversity and gender balance. In line with the ICC’s efforts to improve geographical representation among staff, nationals of non-represented and under-represented countries at the ICC are encouraged to apply. The list can be found here.

Remuneration

Please note that internship and visiting professional placements at the ICC are unfunded. The ICC is not able to provide participants in the Internship and Visiting Professional Programme with any remuneration, nor is it possible to provide reimbursement for expenses incurred prior, during or after the internship or visiting professional placement.

Applicants must therefore be able to support themselves for the entire duration of their internship or visiting professional placement.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.