There are a number of rules governing the Tribunal's Regular Internship Programme. The eligibility of applicants and the procedural operation of the Regular Internship Programme is explained below.

Internship Availability and Duration

The Tribunal will define the number and nature of internships on a continuous basis according to its needs and possibilities. As a consequence, the selection and recruitment procedure continues to be on an ongoing basis. The duration of the Regular Internship can range from a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months.

Registry and Chambers

The selection procedure for candidates wishing to join the Registry or Chambers is not fixed to cycles. Applicants are advised to submit their application approximately six months prior to their proposed starting date.

Office of the Prosecutor

The selection procedure for candidates wishing to join the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) Regular Internship Programme is divided into two cycles. Preference is given to applicants who are able to complete an internship for six months. Please be informed of the following deadlines for applications to the OTP:

Applications for starting dates between January to June 2011 must be received no later than 15 September 2010

Applications for July to December 2011 must be received no later than 15 March 2011

Eligibility Criteria for the Regular Internship Programme

A majority of the internship positions available at the Tribunal are of a legal nature. Applicants must have a university degree or be in the final stage of their undergraduate studies. Preference is given to law graduates who are acquainted with one or more of the following disciplines: public international law, international humanitarian law, human rights law, private international law, criminal law, comparative law, and criminology.

Applicants applying for a non-legal internship need post-secondary education or training relevant for their desired section (e.g. journalism, translation and interpretation, information technology, engineering, logistics, or human resources management).

Applicants must be proficient in English and/or French, both written and oral. Knowledge of other languages, particularly Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, is an asset.

There is no age restriction for applicants.

Applicants should be nominated by an educational institution, government body or private organisation, in conjunction with the application form.

Selection Procedure for Regular Internships

Applicants must submit the following documents all together in an application (documents may only be in English or French):

1. Completed application form (including Acceptance and Undertaking, and Nominating Institution or Organisation Form);
2. Cover letter stating the reasons for applying;
3. Two letters of recommendation;
4. A sample of written work in a field relevant to the work of the Tribunal (required by applicants for legal internship positions only, no more than ten pages);
5. Copies of university degrees and / or diplomas or a list of courses taken;
6. A photocopy of the applicant’s valid medical insurance or a signed statement confirming intent to obtain medical insurance while in The Netherlands.

Applicants must clearly rank their top three preferences within the Tribunal where they would like to complete their internship. While all sections indicated would be given a copy of the application, priority will be given to the applicant's first preference.

Applications that are not submitted in accordance with the requirements above are regarded as incomplete and will not be considered. Please note that the Tribunal is unable to return any documentation included in the application. Furthermore, incomplete applications will not be accepted; the Tribunal will not remind candidates to submit missing documents. All necessary documents must be included in the application package. Reference letters from referees may not be sent separately.

Due to varying needs and capacities within each section of the Tribunal it is not always possible to assign interns to their section of first preference. This should not be interpreted as comment on the individual's application but merely reflects the working requirements of the Tribunal.

Further Rules and Conditions Governing Regular and Restricted Internships

The Tribunal is unable to provide participants in the Internship Programme with remuneration, nor is it possible to provide any reimbursement for any expenses incurred during the internship. Accordingly, applicants must have the necessary resources or other financial support for the duration of the internship for which they have been selected.

Interns are not considered in any respect as officials or staff members of the United Nations. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship. Consequently, interns are responsible for securing adequate insurance coverage.

Interns are bound by the same duties and obligations as staff members. Information to which an intern has access in the course of the internship must not be divulged. Interns must not publish any written work, which contains information obtained during the internship, without prior explicit authorisation from the Registrar of the Tribunal. In this connection, each prospective intern must sign the Acceptance and Undertaking Form included in the Application Form.

There should be no expectancy of employment by the United Nations following the completion of the internship. Interns cannot apply for Professional level posts at the Tribunal during the period of their internship and during the six months immediately thereafter.

Interns must provide written notice to their supervisor(s) and the Internship Office should illness or other unforeseen circumstances prevent them from completing the internship.

On completion of the Internship Programme, interns are required to complete a substantive report on their assignments. This will be included in their files and will be forwarded, upon request, to the sponsoring institution, government body or private organisation.

Candidates of certain nationalities must obtain a visa authorising their stay in the Netherlands before they depart for The Hague to begin their internship. While this is the overall responsibility of the selected candidate, the Registry will provide information and supporting documents in this regard.