1. What documents do I need to include in my application?
The following items will need to be included in a completed internship application (documents should be in English or in French):
1. Completed application form (including Acceptance and Undertaking, and Nominating Institution or Organisation Form);
2. Letter of motivation stating the reasons for applying;
3. Two letters of recommendation;
4. A sample of written work (legal internships only; preferably in a field relevant to the work of the Tribunal and no more than ten pages);
5. Copies of university/law studies transcripts (including courses taken and grades received);
6. A photocopy of your valid medical insurance or a signed statement confirming intent to obtain medical insurance while in The Netherlands.
Applications that are not submitted in accordance with the guidelines above are regarded as incomplete and will not be considered. The Tribunal will not remind candidates to submit missing documents. All necessary documents must be included in the application package.
2. What exactly is the Nominating Institution or Organisation Form and do I always have to include it with my application?
Please note that you always have to include this form. In accordance with the applicable regulations for internships within the UN system, candidates are requested to present a nomination by an authority (university, government institution, sponsoring organisation or private enterprise). This ensures that the organisation can verify that the candidate is known to the institution and is, generally speaking, “in good standing.” As stated, a nomination does not imply any further obligation on the part of the institution. The only “obligation” imaginable is that occasionally the organisation might wish to contact the institution in order to get a further insight into the personality of the candidate. As far as possible sponsoring is concerned, appropriate arrangements, if any, are the responsibility of the candidate and the UN does not get involved in this area at all. Note that all applications submitted without this form are deemed incomplete.
3. My referees will send their recommendation separate from my application, is this acceptable?
No. The Tribunal does not accept incomplete applications. References must be included with the application form. The Human Resources Section of the Tribunal will not remind candidates to send any missing documents relating to an application. Candidates are advised to hold their application until both recommendations are ready to be included in the application package.
4. Can I send my application through e-mail?
No. The application may not be sent through e-mail. Completed applications may only be sent through regular mail to the following address:
ICTY - Internship Office
P.O. Box 13888
2501 EW The Hague
The Netherlands
5. Will the Tribunal provide me with any type of compensation during my internship?
No. The Tribunal is not able to provide participants in both the Regular and Restricted Internships with remuneration, nor is it possible to provide any reimbursement for any expenses incurred during the internship. All successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, accommodation and living expenses during the internship period.
6. How and when do I find out the status of my application?
The Tribunal will confirm receipt of applications via e-mail. All completed internship applications are subsequently distributed to the sections the applicant selected for consideration. During this reviewing process no information on the status can be given.
Please note that the application and selection process may take up to four months. Only selected candidates will be informed of their selection
7. What is the duration of an internship?
The duration of the Regular Internship can range from a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months. For the Office of the Prosecutor, preference is given to those who are available for a six month period. The duration of the Restricted Internship within the Office of the Prosecutor ranges from a minimum of two months up to a maximum of three months but preference will be given to those who are available for a three month period.
8. How long in advance must I submit my application?
Internship applications are accepted all year round. However, candidates are advised to submit their fully completed application approximately six months before their intended official starting date. For candidates wishing to join the OTP’s Regular Internship Programme, preference is given to applicants who are able to complete an internship for its maximum duration (six months).
9. Are internship positions on a full-time basis?
Yes. All internship positions offered by the Tribunal are based on a full-time basis only. In addition, selected interns are eligible for two and a half days leave per month, subject to their supervisor’s approval.
10. Do I receive a certificate upon completion of my internship?
Yes. Upon completion of the Internship, a UN-ICTY certificate will be issued by the Human Resources Section, confirming the duration of the internship whilst at the Tribunal.
11. What are the visa requirements needed for an internship for the Netherlands?
Nationals of a country within the European Union as well as nationals of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina Australia, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela and the United States of America, do not require a visa to enter the Netherlands. Nationals of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia who hold a biometric passport, with the exception holders of a Serbian passport issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (in Serbian: “Koordinaciona uprava”), do not require a visa to enter the Netherlands.
Nationals not mentioned above as qualifying for a visa-waiver require a visa to enter and to stay in the Netherlands. The Tribunal will assist you with the issuance of this type of visa. Note that you should not be initiating immigration proceedings to the Netherlands (the so-called “MVV” application).
12. Do I require a residence permit to complete an internship in the Netherlands?
No, you do not need a Dutch residence permit issued pursuant to the Aliens Act of the Netherlands.
If you are a non-EU/EEA national, then you will have to apply for a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) card to ensure your legal stay in the Netherlands if the internship, plus the maximum permissible 14 day departure period, goes beyond the period of validity of the three month multiple-entry visa. In this case you should bring one colour passport photograph. Upon arrival at the Tribunal, the Visa and Entitlements Unit (VEU) will apply for the MFA card on your behalf once you have completed the appropriate form and provided the colour passport photograph. This card will be valid for a maximum of six months. Once the card is returned to the VEU, you are obliged to leave the country within 14 days.
If you already have a valid temporary residence permit for the Netherlands (e.g., a student permit, working holiday permit), then the Tribunal may apply for a MFA card on your behalf if the permit is expiring. This can be discussed with the VEU after your arrival.
13. What are my chances of employment at the Tribunal after my internship?
There should be no expectancy of employment by the United Nations following the completion of the internship. Interns cannot apply for employment at the Tribunal during the period of their internship and during the six months immediately thereafter.
14. Will an internship give credit to my study?
This will depend on the university. Selected candidates will need to confirm with their university whether credit will be given, before departing for the Netherlands.
15. Are internship positions only available to those with a legal background?
Although a majority of the internships offered within the Tribunal specifically require a legal background, there are, however, internship positions available where a legal background is not a requirement. Sections that accept candidates with a non-legal background include the Communications Service, Conference and Language Services Section, Outreach Programme, Finance Section, Human Resources Section, Information Technology Support Services, Internal Audit, Leadership Research Team and Military Analysis Team.
An educational background in military studies, international relations, journalism, translation and interpretation, information technology, finance and accounting, or human resources may be more appropriate for non-legal internships. The Restricted Internship Programme also offers a limited number of non-legal candidates an internship within the Office of the Prosecutor.
16. I do not have (adequate / international) insurance yet. Must I take out an insurance policy before applying although I am not sure whether I will be offered an internship?
It is our main concern that once interns arrive at the Tribunal they have adequate insurance. As long as we are assured of your intent to take out an insurance policy once offered an internship then this is fine. However, please make your intent clear on the application form (question 11 and attach supporting documentation or a statement of intent). The Tribunal must be very vigilant with regards to insurance as interns are not insured through the United Nations and if an illness or accident occurs, in or outside of work, then the intern is solely responsible for their own medical cover and the Tribunal / United Nations does not get involved.
17. I am finding it hard to find an insurance policy in my country. Shall I wait until I am in the Netherlands and take out an insurance policy there upon arrival?
No. Do not leave your country until you have adequate insurance. The insurance companies in the Netherlands will not cover you during an internship since you are foreign and only staying for a limited duration. Also demonstrated proof of insurance coverage may be required in order to get your visa for the Netherlands should you be a visa-national.
18. I am a first / second year legal student, am I eligible to apply for a legal internship?
For the Regular Internship Programme, the Tribunal only accepts candidates who are at least in their final stages of education in the relevant field (i.e. final year). 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. Candidates for the Restricted Internship Programme must be at least in their second year of their university degree. So therefore, first year university students are never accepted for an internship under the Regular and/or Restricted Internship Programmes.
19. What is living in the Netherlands like?
The Tribunal is located in The Hague, a pleasant, rather quiet city with approximately 400,000 inhabitants, centrally located in respect to other European capitals. In general, English is widely understood and spoken in the Netherlands. The Hague has an extensive public transport system and therefore, the Tribunal is very accessible. Prices for accommodation depend greatly on location within The Hague, although normally range between € 300 - 500 per month for a single room.
20. Where can I find out more information regarding the Internship Programme?
We encourage you to thoroughly read our website. If your question is still unanswered, then you may contact the Human Resources Section at internshipoffice@un.org
