Legal Intern - Office of the Registrar

Job Description

Job Opening ID: 270234
Job Network : -
Job Family : Legal Affairs
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : THE HAGUE
Department/Office : International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
Date Posted : Jan 13, 2026
Deadline : Feb 12, 2026

Work Location: The Hague

Expected duration: 3-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting and Reporting:

The Office of the Registrar of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism”) invites applicants for a legal internship starting in April 2026 in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Mechanism 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 these essential functions, the Mechanism 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 Mechanism has two branches: one located in The Hague, The Netherlands, and another in Arusha, Tanzania.

The advertised position is located in the Office of the Registrar, Registry, Hague Branch, and under the direct supervision of the Internship Coordinator, a legal officer within the Office of the Registrar.

The Office of the Registrar provides legal and policy support to the Registrar in relation to the various functions at both branches of the Mechanism. The Office of the Registrar further supports and liaises with all Sections and Units of the Registry.

While the interns will mainly work in the Office of the Registrar, they may also provide support to the following Registry Sections and Units:

• Judicial Records Unit (“JRU”)
• Witness Support and Protection Unit (“WISP”)

Responsibilities:

Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with the legal officers in the Office of the Registrar. As indicated above, interns may also be requested to undertake JRU and WISP assignments where required and appropriate.

More specifically, interns may assist with a broad range of interesting tasks or projects, including:

• Preparing summaries of important filings
• Researching and preparing draft submissions, memoranda, reports, and correspondence with internal and external authorities
• Providing support to the legal officers
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Internship Coordinator

Qualifications/special skills

Candidates must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent)
• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree (Master Degree) or equivalent, or higher)

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work 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.

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.

DEADLINE: February 12, 2026