International Court of Justice (ICJ) University Traineeship Programme 2017/2018 – The Hague, Netherlands

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) invites applications for the University Traineeship Programme for 2017-2018. Participation in the programme is limited to nominating universities that accept the conditions indicated in the post description and meet the additional requirements set out.

Application Deadline: 15th February 2017.

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: All

To be taken at (country): The Hague, Netherlands

About the Award: The programme was established in 1999 in order to enable recent law graduates to gain experience working at the ICJ. It aims to improve participants’ understanding of international law and of the Court’s processes by actively involving them in the work of the Court and allowing them to build on their experience under the supervision of a judge.

The University Traineeship programme is intended to give recent law graduates experience working at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Candidates are nominated and sponsored by universities from which they have graduated.

Type: Internship

Eligibility: 

• The Court looks in particular for candidates who have excellent results in their law studies, and who have studied, published or worked in international law.
• Candidates will usually be in the early stages of their legal careers (e.g., within three years of graduation). Some have practical experience in private or public practice, including work at another court or international organisation, and/or post-graduate studies in international law.
• The Court seeks diversity of nationality in making the selection.
• The official languages of the Court are English and French, and participants must have excellent reading, writing and speaking skills in at least one of these. A working knowledge of the second official language will be an asset.
• The application should indicate the trainee’s abilities in respect of both official languages

Selection: While it is possible to nominate a single candidate, the Court encourages universities to propose more than one. Universities are also strongly encouraged to limit applications to candidates who have excellent results in their law studies and who have demonstrated an interest in international law through their studies, publications or work experience. The Court does not accept applications from individuals.

The Court will make its selection on the basis of the candidates’ application documents. It is expected to reach its final decision in March/April 2017. Nominating universities will be notified accordingly.

Number of Awardees: The programme is highly selective. The Court accepts up to 15 participants a year – not more than one from each nominating university

Value of Program: Each nominating university must accept the responsibility to provide the stipend, health insurance and travel costs to its candidate, if selected. The stipend should be sufficient to provide for a minimum standard of accommodation and subsistence in The Hague and should be set at a level that ensures that trainees can benefit fully from their experience at the Court without the burden of financial hardship. The Traineeship is not a self-funded internship and candidates without adequate financial support through their sponsoring university will not be eligible. The Court will facilitate visas if necessary and provides working facilities, but it does not provide financial support.

How to Apply: Universities are encouraged to nominate one or more graduate student from their school

Universities should submit at least two letters of reference for each candidate, preferably from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s abilities in the field of international law.

Universities are requested to submit a sample of each candidate’s written work of no more than 15 typewritten pages that has either been submitted for publication or is of similar publishable quality. The Court sets great store by this part of the application and would appreciate the nominating university making every effort to enable the Court to consider written work produced directly by the candidate.

Universities are kindly requested to submit the application documents in Word or PDF format in the following order:

(a) letter from the university sponsoring the candidate;
(b) letter of Application from the candidate;
(c) completed ICJ University Trainee Application Form in one of the official languages of the Court;
(d) curriculum vitae of the candidate;
(e) copy of the candidate’s official academic record;
(f) letters of reference; and
(g) candidate’s writing sample.

Applications should be submitted by e mail to secretariatdeputyregistrar@icj-cij.org.

Visit Scholarship Webpage for details

Award Provider: International Court of Justice (ICJ)