Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism”) is a court of the United Nations established 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. The ICTR closed on 31 December 2015 with the ICTY following on 31 December 2017. The Mechanism started operating on 1 July 2012 in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, and on 1 July 2013 in The Hague, the Netherlands. Since these dates, the Arusha branch has inherited functions from the ICTR, and the Hague branch functions from the ICTY. The Mechanism has also established its own structure to govern its activities and developed rules, procedures, and policies that harmonize and build upon the best practices of both Tribunals. The Mechanism operates simultaneously on two continents, with a small team of dedicated professionals based in the respective branches in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, and in The Hague, the Netherlands. 

In accordance with its mandate, the Mechanism has assumed responsibility for a number of former functions of the ICTR and the ICTY. These essential functions include: (i) tracking and prosecuting of remaining fugitives; (ii) conducting appeal proceedings; (iii) conducting review proceedings; (iv) conducting retrials; (v) conducting investigations, trials, and appeals in cases of contempt of court and false testimony; (vi) monitoring cases referred to national jurisdictions; (vii) protecting victims and witnesses; (viii) supervising the enforcement of sentences; (ix) providing assistance to national jurisdictions; and (x) ensuring the preservation and management of Mechanism, ICTR, and ICTY archives. 

This position is located in the Office of the President of the Mechanism. It is under the supervision and direction of the Head of the Arusha branch of the Office of the President. The Office of the President is seeking legal interns on an ongoing basis at the Arusha branch.

A Mechanism internship is unpaid and full-time. Core working hours for interns are Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned. The duration of an internship at the Mechanism can range from a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months, according to the needs of the intern’s assigned office. 

General information on the internship programme of the Mechanism may be found on the Mechanism website’s internship page, http://www.irmct.org/en/recruitment/internship-programme, which includes:

• Programme Guidelines; 
• Application Procedures; 
• Terms and Conditions of the Mechanism’s Internship Programme; and
• Internships in Context.

Responsibilities

The President is the institutional head of the Mechanism and fulfils functions both in Arusha and The Hague. The President is responsible for the overall execution of the institution’s mandate, represents the Mechanism before the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly, presides over the Chambers, and is responsible for appointing judges to hear cases as required. The President of the Mechanism is a member of the Appeals Chamber and presides over its proceedings. 

In the President’s Office, interns provide legal support with respect to a wide range of mandated residual functions, including by conducting independent legal research, analyzing laws and policies, drafting and editing orders and decisions, and advising on press and policy matters. Interns may also observe hearings and deliberations, attend meetings of the President with interlocutors inside and outside the Mechanism, assist in the preparation of reports to the United Nations Security Council and United Nations General Assembly, and prepare drafts of speeches.ajira

Competencies

• Professionalism – Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and master 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 message 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 organizational 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.

Education

Candidates for legal internships in the Office of the President are required to be, at a minimum, in their final year of law school/university. If the candidate has already completed a four-year undergraduate university degree before commencing graduate legal studies, he or she must have completed at least one year of graduate legal studies by the time the internship commences. Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications.

Work Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, and must be at least 18 years old. Prior experience in a legal work environment is an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the Mechanism. Fluency in oral and written English and/or French is required. Knowledge of other languages – particularly Kinyarwanda or Swahili – is an asset.

Assessment

Short-listed candidates may be contacted by the hiring team directly if further information is needed during the review of their application. Due to the high volume of applications received, candidates who have not been short-listed will not be contacted.