Intern in the Legal Affairs Department

Job Posting Organization:
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is an intergovernmental organization and a specialized agency of the United Nations. Established to facilitate international postal services, the UPU serves as the primary forum for cooperation among postal sector players. It comprises 192 member countries and is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland. The UPU's mission is to promote a quality and accessible postal service globally, fostering social, cultural, and commercial communication among the peoples of the world.

Job Overview:
The UPU is seeking an intern to work under the supervision of the Director of the Legal Affairs Department (DAJ). The intern will engage in research and analysis, preparing draft documents on various legal issues pertinent to the UPU's structure, functions, and activities. This role will focus particularly on public law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and administrative law, especially in relation to the United Nations common system. The intern will assist in analyzing legal instruments, including treaties, agreements, regulations, and resolutions relevant to the UPU's operations. Additionally, the intern will support the Director and DAJ team in providing legal services, preparing background papers, reports, and synthesizing views on specific legal issues, as well as drafting legal instruments such as treaties and internal regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities will include conducting thorough research and analysis on legal matters affecting the UPU, particularly in public international law and administrative law. The intern will assist in the preliminary analysis of various legal documents, including treaties and agreements. They will also support the preparation of background papers and reports, synthesize legal views and practices, and draft legal instruments relevant to the UPU's work. This role requires a proactive approach to legal research and the ability to communicate findings effectively to the Director and other team members.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be law students currently enrolled in a university or institution, or recent law graduates who have graduated no more than six months prior to the internship start date. A strong understanding of public international law, international organizations' law, and arbitration law is essential. The minimum age for applicants is 20 years.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to be law students or recent graduates from a recognized university or institution. The course of study should be in progress or completed within six months prior to the internship's start date, ensuring that candidates possess relevant legal knowledge and skills.

Experience:
While specific prior experience is not mandated, candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of legal principles, particularly in public international law and the workings of international organizations. The internship is designed for students or recent graduates, thus prior professional experience in a legal setting is not a requirement but may be beneficial.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written command of French or English is mandatory, along with a good command of the other language. Proficiency in both languages will enable effective communication and comprehension of legal documents and discussions within the UPU.

Additional Notes:
The internship is expected to last for six months and is exclusively reserved for students and recent graduates. It is important to note that the UPU does not provide financial remuneration for interns, and all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Switzerland may need to secure the appropriate visa and work authorization prior to starting the internship. Furthermore, the UPU emphasizes that there are no fees associated with the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.