1. What documents do I need to include in my application?
2. What exactly is the Nominating Institution or Organisation Form and do I always have to include it with my application?
3. My referees will send their recommendation separate from my application, is this acceptable?
4. Will the Tribunal provide me with any type of compensation during my internship?
5. How do I find out the status of my application?
6. What is the duration of an internship?
7. How long in advance must I submit my application?
8. What is the deadline for submitting my application?
9. Do Chambers and Registry operate on a deadline basis?
11. Are internship positions on a full-time basis?
12. Do I receive a certificate upon completion of my internship?
13. What are the visa requirements needed for an internship for the Netherlands?
14. Do I require a residence permit to complete an internship in the Netherlands?
15. What are my chances of employment at the Tribunal after my internship?
16. Will an internship give credit to my study?
17. Are internship positions only available to those with a legal background?
18. 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?
19. 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?
20. I am a first / second year legal student, am I eligible to apply for a legal internship?
21. What are my chances of obtaining a Restricted Internship during the summer months?
22. What is living in the Netherlands like?
23. Where can I find out more information regarding the Internship Programme?

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. Application Form (including Acceptance and Undertaking, and Certification of Nominating Institution or Organisation Form);
2. a covering letter stating the reasons for applying;
3. two written references;
4. a sample of your written work in a field relevant to the work of the Tribunal (required by applicants for legal internship positions only);
5. copies of university degrees and / or diplomas or a list of courses taken;
6. copy of insurance cover.

Applications that are not submitted in accordance with the Selection Procedure in the Guidelines are regarded as incomplete and will not be considered for the Internship Programme. The Tribunal will not chase candidates for missing documents. Incomplete applications will not be accepted since the Human Resources Section (HRS) does not have the resources to puzzle parts of applications together. This means you should include all necessary documents in the application and not have for instance referees send their references separately.

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, “at good standing”. As stated, a nomination does not imply any further obligation on 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, meaning that references should be included with the application form. The application process is greatly slowed down by sending applications in separate parts and the HRS of the Tribunal does not have the resources to puzzle parts of applications together. Therefore, you are advised to hold your application until you have received both your recommendations and send the complete application to the stated address.

4. 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. Accordingly, all successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, lodging and living expenses during the internship period.

5. How do I find out the status of my application?

The Tribunal will confirm receipt of applications only. 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. Due to the large number of applications, only selected candidates will be informed in writing. Please note that the application / selection process may take up to four or five months.

6. 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 however, ranges from a minimum of two months up to a maximum of three months. Preference is given to those who are available for a three month period.

7. How long in advance must I submit my application?

Candidates must submit their fully completed application approximately six months before their intended start date. This applies for both programmes.

8. What is the deadline for submitting my application?

For candidates wishing to join the Regular Internship Programme of the Office of the Prosecutor, preference is given to applicants who are able to complete an internship for its maximum duration (six months). The following deadlines apply for the 2010 and 2011 terms:
 

For candidates wishing to apply for the Restricted Internship Programme of the Office of the Prosecutor, the following deadlines apply for the 2010 and 2011 terms:

9. Do Chambers and Registry operate on a deadline basis?



No. Candidates wishing to join the Registry or Chambers are not fixed to any cycles or deadlines. Applications will be accepted all year round.

10. 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.

11. Do I receive a certificate upon completion of my internship?

Yes. Upon completion of the Regular Internship, a UN-ICTY certificate will be issued by the Human Resources Section, confirming the duration of the internship whilst at the Tribunal. Upon completion of the Restricted Internship, one receives a UN-ICTY Official Accreditation instead.

12. 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, Argentina Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela and the United States of America, do not require a visa to enter the Netherlands. Nationals of all other countries need a visa. Visas can only be applied for through the Visa & Entitlement Unit of the ICTY once an internship offer has been made.

13. Do I require a residence permit to complete an internship in the Netherlands?

All successful applicants of non-Dutch nationality have to apply for a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) card to ensure their legal stay in the Netherlands. The card has to be requested within four days of arrival. Upon arrival at the Tribunal, the Visa and Entitlements Unit will apply for you once you have completed the appropriate form and provided two (identical) color passport photographs. This card will be valid for a maximum of six months and is non-renewable. Once the card is returned you are obliged to leave the country within 14 days.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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 internship positions available where it is not a requirement, such as the Communications Service, the Outreach Programme, the Leadership Research Team, the Military Analysis Team, Conference and Language Services Section and/or Information Technology Support Services. An educational background in military studies, international relations, journalism, translation and interpretation or information technology background may be more appropriate. The Restricted Internship Programme also offers a limited number of non-legal candidates an internship within the Office of the Prosecutor.

17. 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 secured of your intent to take out an insurance policy once offered an internship then this is fine also. However, please make your intent clear on the application form (question 11). If you are covered under the European E 1.11 form then you may also insert this in question 11. You do not need to attach a copy. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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 the least, in their final stages of education in the relevant field (i.e. final year). Candidates for the Restricted Internship Programme must be at least in their second year of their (relevant) degree. So therefore, first year (legal) students are never accepted for an internship under the Regular and/or Restricted Internship Programmes.

20. What are my chances of obtaining a Restricted Internship during the summer months?

The amount of spaces on the Restricted Internship Programme is very limited and very large numbers of applications are received for the summer period. The chances of obtaining a summer internship on the Restricted Programme are slightly discouraging. If you are at all eligible for the Regular Programme, we advise that you apply for the Regular Programme instead of the Restricted Programme.

21. What is living in the Netherlands like?

The Tribunal is located in The Hague, a pleasant, rather quiet city with some 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.

22. Where can I find out more information regarding the Internship Programme?

For candidates interested in the Internship Programme, we would encourage you to thoroughly read our web site. If your question is still unanswered, you can contact Saskia Huntjens-Hucklenbruch or Sarah Rigby of the Human Resources Section, at internshipoffice@icty.org