Vacancy: ICJ Law Clerks

The ICJ has asked us to post the following job announcement for law clerks at the ICJ — which are, needless to say, among the very best positions available to a young international lawyer.

Vacancy announcement

Date of issuance: 8 February 2012
Deadline for applications: 10 April 2012
Post title: Law Clerk to Judges of the Court (Associate Legal Officer) (2 positions)
Grade: P-2
Vacancy Announcement Number: 2012-02
Duty Station: International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands
Organizational unit: Department of Legal Matters
Indicative minimum net annual remuneration (including post adjustment):
At single rate: 54,516 Euro
At dependency rate: 58,122 Euro
Length of Appointment: Two years fixed-term, renewable once for a second two-year period

Background:

The International Court of Justice wishes to appoint 2 Law Clerks each of whom will provide research and other legal assistance to one of the judges of the Court.  For administrative purposes, the Law Clerks are attached to the Department of Legal Matters.

Function:

Under the supervision of the judge to whom he or she will be specifically assigned, the Law Clerk will provide such judge with legal research and related assistance with regard to cases pending before the Court.  The Law Clerk may also be required to provide legal assistance and support to a judge ad hoc participating in a particular case.  In coordination with his or her judge, the Law Clerk may also from time to time be called upon to perform some specific legal tasks for the Registry.

Qualifications and skills:

An advanced university degree in law, with significant academic background in public international law or professional experience in the field.  A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.  Post-graduate studies in public international law would be an asset; two years’ experience in the settlement of international legal disputes with an international organization, government, law firm or other private sector entity would be desirable.

Languages:

French and English are the official and working languages of the Court.  Perfect understanding and command of either French or English, and very good drafting and oral communication skills in the other language required; command of other official languages of the United Nations would be an asset.

Remuneration:

Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

The Court’s salaries are calculated in US dollars but paid in euros.  They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in the Netherlands and the euro/dollar exchange rate.

In addition, the Court offers an attractive benefits package including 30 days of annual leave, home travel every two years, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan and medical insurance.

Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

How to apply:

Applicants are required to complete a United Nations Personal History Form (P.11), and to submit a cover letter. Applicants are specifically requested to indicate the level of attainment achieved (e.g. class of degree, GPA, mark awarded, or position in overall ranking) in respect of any university or professional qualification obtained.  If the relevant university or authority does not make such information available, that fact should be stated.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to send their application by e‑mail, addressed to the Registrar of the Court, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number.

E‑mail:  recrutement‑recruitment@icj‑cij.org
Fax:  +31 70 364 99 28

Only applications from candidates under serious consideration will be acknowledged. Applications that are found by the Court to meet the above criteria may be added to a reserve list in case a similar vacancy arises in the future.

The Registrar reserves the right not to appoint any candidate to the post, or to appoint one at a lower level or on the basis of a modified description.

Those interested in applying should refer to the ICJ website here, in case any changes have been made to the job description.