Internship at International Criminal Court (ICC), Counsel Support Section, The Hague (3 to 6 months, unpaid)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. Its Registry has advertised an internship in the Counsel Support Section (requisition ID 24247, Legal Affairs), with a deadline for applications of 31 December 2026.

The ICC says the purpose of this vacancy announcement is to give hiring managers a list of suitable candidates from whom they may select throughout the year, so candidates must state their availability in the relevant field when applying. Due to the volume of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted.

The Counsel Support Section (CSS) centralises and coordinates all assistance the Court provides to counsel. It is the Registry's focal point for the Offices of Public Counsel, provides logistical and administrative assistance, manages the Court's legal aid programme for indigent defendants and victims, and handles matters relating to the Court's disciplinary organs.

Under the supervision of the Section Chief, interns perform one or several of these tasks:

• Research and preparation of background reports
• Drafting memoranda, reports, letters, briefing notes, speeches and other correspondence
• Supporting the preparation of internal and external meetings and keeping an accurate record of them
• Assisting in preparing presentations for internal and external audiences
• Other tasks required by the Section Chief

• Education: a relevant degree, or in the final stages of studies at a recognised university, with a very good record of academic performance.
• Experience: less than three years of relevant full-time professional experience. Practical experience is not essential, though relevant experience may be considered an asset.
• Languages: proficiency in English or French is required; working knowledge of the other is desirable; Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish is an asset.
• Skills: able to work in multicultural and multilingual settings, strong teamwork, and good computer skills including Microsoft Office.
• Nationality: the ICC's internship FAQ says: "Unless otherwise specified in the vacancy, candidates from non-State parties are eligible to apply for an internship." This vacancy states no restriction, so Indian nationals may apply. The ICC encourages nationals of non-represented and under-represented countries to apply.

Interns work full time, in person at the Court in The Hague for three to six months, agreed before the placement starts. Internship placements are not extended beyond six months. The ICC says it can help interns who need a visa for the Netherlands.

The placement is unpaid. The vacancy states that internship and visiting professional placements at the ICC are unfunded: the Court cannot provide any remuneration or reimburse expenses incurred before, during or after the placement, so applicants must be able to support themselves for the whole internship.

• A completed "Duties and Responsibilities Form" (step 1 on your eRecruitment profile page)
• Motivation letter (maximum 400 words)
• Two reference letters (one academic)
• Scanned copies of university degrees and/or diplomas
• Scanned official academic transcripts showing courses, results and completion date
• One short essay on a subject relevant to the work of the Court (maximum 750 words, single spaced, typed)

The ICC accepts applications only through its online career portal; email applications are not accepted. Register and complete your candidate profile, open the vacancy "Internship - Counsel Support Section" (requisition 24247) and click Apply. Submit before 31 December 2026. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours, check "Jobs Applied" in your profile and apply again if it is not listed.