Legal and Information Analyst Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) was established to assist in the investigation and prosecution of individuals responsible for the most serious crimes under law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 201

• The IIIM operates under the auspices of the United Nations and aims to support international and national jurisdictions in their efforts to hold accountable those responsible for these crimes. The organization is committed to upholding the principles of justice and accountability, and it works collaboratively with various stakeholders to gather and analyze evidence related to these serious crimes. The IIIM is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is part of a broader UN initiative to promote human rights and the rule of law globally. The organization is relatively new, having been established in 2017, and it continues to expand its operations and outreach to ensure effective accountability for crimes committed in Syria. The IIIM employs a diverse team of professionals from various backgrounds, contributing to its mission of justice and accountability.

Job Overview:
The Legal and Information Analyst Intern position is designed to provide valuable support to the IIIM's Office of the Assistant Secretary General (OASG). The intern will engage in a variety of tasks that involve legal research, open-source research, and contextual analysis related to the ongoing situation in Syria. This internship offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in international law, human rights, and accountability mechanisms to gain practical experience in a UN setting. The intern will work closely with the special advisor of the ASG and receive training and guidance from the Information Systems Management Section. The role is expected to enhance the intern's legal, research, analytical, and drafting skills while contributing to the IIIM's efforts to collect and assess publicly available information relevant to its mandated activities. The internship is flexible, allowing for in-person, hybrid, or remote work modalities, and is expected to last a minimum of two months, with the possibility of extension up to six months. The intern will be expected to specify their preferred internship period in their application.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: conducting targeted open-source research in both English and Arabic; analyzing and drafting summaries of findings in English; researching and summarizing political, economic, social, technological, and legal issues related to the Syrian situation; providing input on documents drafted by others; conducting legal research in English and Arabic; drafting legal analyses in English; assisting with the finalization of legal drafts; compiling relevant research and analysis into a comprehensive research paper and presentation for the IIIM; completing assigned tasks in a timely and accurate manner; meeting deadlines and responding promptly to instructions; maintaining confidentiality of all records and information accessed during the internship; working independently and collaboratively as part of a team; and demonstrating professionalism and respect for colleagues and stakeholders. It is important to note that the intern will not be involved in any work directly with evidentiary material in the IIIM's Central Repository of Information and Evidence.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent). Candidates should be pursuing or have pursued their degree in fields related to this internship, such as criminology, law, Middle Eastern studies, conflict or security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security studies, international relations, human rights, criminal law, political/social science, or a related field. While professional work experience is not required for applicants to the UN Internship Programme, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Familiarity or knowledge regarding criminal accountability in the Syrian context is desirable, and candidates should provide examples of how they meet this criterion. Additionally, applicants must have good knowledge of standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS Outlook, and MS Teams.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes enrollment in or completion of a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent) or enrollment in or completion of the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent). Candidates should have pursued their studies in areas relevant to the internship, such as law, criminology, international relations, human rights, or related fields. This educational foundation is crucial for the intern to effectively engage in legal research and analysis related to the IIIM's work.

Experience:
While applicants are not required to have professional work experience, it is essential that they have pursued studies in a field closely related to the internship. This ensures that candidates possess the necessary theoretical knowledge and understanding of the legal and contextual issues relevant to the IIIM's mandate. Familiarity with the Syrian context and criminal accountability is considered an asset, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of these topics during the application process.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship, along with knowledge of Arabic. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication within the organization. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is considered an advantage, as it may enhance the intern's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to the IIIM's work.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and candidates should be aware that they are responsible for all internship-related expenses, including travel, visas, accommodation, and living costs. The minimum duration of the internship is two months, with the possibility of extension up to six months. Interns must keep confidential any unpublished information obtained during the internship and are not permitted to publish reports or papers based on such information without explicit written authorization from the Head of the IIIM. Interns are bound by the same duties and obligations as staff members, and there is no expectation of employment with the United Nations or the IIIM upon completion of the internship. Candidates of certain nationalities may need to obtain a visa authorizing their stay in Switzerland before beginning their internship, and the IIIM will provide information and supporting documents to assist with this process. The United Nations is committed to diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process and encourages applications from individuals regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, or disabilities.