Intern, Legal Affairs (Vienna-based)

The internship is located in the International Trade Law Division, Office of Legal Affairs (ITLD/OLA), United Nations, Vienna (Austria). The intern will assist officers in fulfilling the mandate of UNCITRAL and gain practical training and experience in international trade law. The internship is unpaid and full-time, lasting 2-6 months.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the research and preparation of comparative legal studies.
• Assist with the preparation and drafting of legal texts (e.g. draft conventions and model laws), including conducting related background studies.
• Undertake ad hoc legal and administrative assignments as requested.
• Contribute to the identification of legislative reform needs and assistance requirements in selected countries and/or sectors.
• Assist with the collection and analysis of case law on UNCITRAL texts.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of the UNCITRAL website.
• Assist with the coordination functions of the Division.
• Assist with the coordination functions of the UNCITRAL Law Library.

Requirements

• Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have recently completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have recently completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
• Be computer literate in standard software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, general research and knowledge of library functions, such as preparing bibliographies and archiving.
• Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
• Promotes and advocates for the fundamental values, standards, and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for and protection of human rights.
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience.
• A field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.
• Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme.
• Applicants must provide proof of academic status or degree.
• It is required that you have an excellent command of English or French.
• It is desirable that you can manage your time and priorities to ensure timely completion of assigned tasks, which are often time-sensitive.
• It is desirable that you interact well with people of various social and cultural backgrounds in an occasionally stressful environment.
• It is desirable that you have knowledge of standard office computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets and general research.

Skills

• International Trade Law
• Legal Research
• Bibliography Preparation
• Archiving
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• Standard Office Software
• Time Management
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Human Rights Advocacy
• UN Charter Knowledge

Languages

English, French