Grade: Internship
Publication date: 07 April 2025
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 30 April 2025
Vacancy no.: INTERNROSTER/2025/1/JUR
Job ID: 12784
Department: JUR
Organization Unit: JUR
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration of contract: 3 to 6 months (starting on the 1st or the 15th of a given month)
You are applying to the ILO generic internship roster, which is published twice per year. The roster will be made available to all departments and field offices, which will then select and directly contact suitable candidates. Due to the high volume of applications, the ILO does not inform candidates about the status of their application.
The ILO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for you to:
- Increase your understanding of relevant issues at the international level by involving you directly in the work of the Office and the application of ILO principles, programmes and strategies.
- Gain practical experience with the ILO directly related to your field of study.
Please note that you:
- Are requested to apply to a maximum of three internship profiles, otherwise you will be automatically disqualified.
- Must upload a cover letter. Your CV or resumรฉ uploaded as attachments are not accepted.
- Are able to withdraw your application at any time via the Jobs Applied section of your profile.
- May not be contacted for the duration that this roster is active. Should this be the case, we encourage you to reapply if you are still eligible and available.
- Should not expect employment at the end of the internship.
- Must apply before the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
The ILO values diversity:
We welcome applications from qualified candidates, including from persons with disabilities and those from non- or under- represented member States.
If needed, reasonable accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities in the recruitment phase as well as during the internship to promote equality of opportunities. If you are unable to complete your online application form due to a disability, please send an email to internship@ilo.org.
If you are a national of a non- or under-represented member State, who is pursuing or has completed their studies in their home country, you may be eligible to have your travel costs covered by the ILO to Geneva, Switzerland.
IMPORTANT:
You can only apply for an internship if you:
- Have no close relative serving in the ILO (mother, father, brother, sister).
- Have not already undertaken an internship at the ILO.
- Are enrolled in a Masterโs or a Doctorate Programme, or have completed such a programme in the year preceding the application.
- Have a working (both oral and written) knowledge of English. This is mandatory.
Department Description
The Office of the Legal Adviser/Office of Legal Services (JUR) protects the legal interests of the International Labour Organization (ILO) by advising the Director-General, the Office and the policy-making organs of the ILO. This includes advice on legal aspects of: institutional governance and official meetings, commercial contracts and relationship agreements, personnel and financial management, development cooperation, legal status of the Organization and its officials, and drafting and interpretation of international labour standards. A description of JURโs mandate can be found at https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/how-the-ilo-works/departments-and-offices/jur/lang--en/index.html.
Learning Area
You will assist in the work of the Office of the Legal Adviser (JUR), receiving at the same time adequate training. Your tasks will involve legal research and drafting in international law (in particular, international organizations law) on various subject matters (see department description above). You will, in particular, gain experience in drafting legal advice and research notes. You will participate in staff meetings and other regular activities of the Office of the Legal Adviser, and you may be requested to present research findings during the staff meetings for internal discussion. Those internships which fall within the schedule of meetings of the ILO governing organs would enable you to contribute to the variety of services provided by the Legal Office to Governing Body committees and, during the International Labour Conference, to the delegates, the secretariat of various technical committees and the drafting committee. You will gain unique professional training and experience in the work carried out by the legal department of an international organization and exposure to the specific procedures of the ILO tripartite governance.
You should expect to devote 10% to 20% of your time to administrative tasks.
Education
- Law degree (studies of public international law is required; studies of law of international organizations or international administrative law is desirable)
- The candidate must be enrolled at least in a Master's degree programme or have completed such a programme no longer than 1 year ago.
Experience
Any relevant work experience would be an advantage.
Languages
- Working (both oral and written) knowledge of English and knowledge of another ILOโs official language (French, Spanish);
- Knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage.
Competencies
Applicants should be able to adapt to an international, multicultural and multilingual environment, tact and discretion, good communication skills and be able to work in a team.
Additional requirements
Experience in legal research and drafting.
How to apply:
1. Search for an internship profile via the page on ILO Jobs
2. Select the internship profile you would like to apply for, and create a profile on ILO Jobs
3. Complete your candidate profile and apply to the internship profile
4. Be sure to attach a cover letter in the last section of the application, as applications without a cover letter will not be considered and you cannot attach a cover letter after the deadline.
Selection process:
Following a first screening by the Human Resources Development Department (HRD), hiring departments will short-list applicants. You will be directly contacted should an internship opportunity match your profile. If you have not been contacted by any department within six months after your application, you can consider that you have not been selected by any department for this roster. If still eligible, you may apply to the next roster.
If shortlisted, you may be contacted by the hiring department for a written test and/or interview. The ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Stipend/Financial compensations:
As an intern in Geneva, you will receive a stipend of 2450 CHF per month from the ILO, unless you receive funding through another institution (for example your university or a foundation). If you receive partial funding, ILO will cover the difference to ensure you receive 2450 CHF per month. Your travel to Geneva will be at your own expense. In addition to the amounts referred above, each intern shall receive the amount of CHF45 per month, or the equivalent amount in the currency in which the monthly stipend is paid, which is a contribution from the Office towards the cost of medical insurance to cover the period of the internship.
Qualified candidates from non- and under- represented countries may be eligible for a special fund that provides financial assistance for round-trip airfare (economy class) in addition to the stipend.
Insurance:
Please note that the ILO does not take responsibility for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the internship. You will be responsible for your own insurance coverage for illness and accidents for the duration of the internship at the duty station (whether Geneva or the field).
Fraud warning:
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.