How to apply for the United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme 2020

The United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme is aimed at bringing prominent international law scholars and practitioners together for training on a broad range of core topics of international law.

The programmme which is organized by the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs accommodates up to 20 participants in each cycle.

This are the objectives of the United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme

• To enable qualified professionals, in particular government officials and teachers of international law from developing countries and countries with emerging economies, to deepen their knowledge of international law and of the legal work of the United Nations.
• To provides high-quality training by prominent international law scholars and practitioners on a broad range of core topics of international law.
• To give the participants an opportunity to share experiences and exchange ideas, which promotes greater understanding and cooperation on contemporary issues of international law.

What you will be exposed to

• The Fellowship Programme consists of an annual six-week summer course at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. The participants attend lectures and seminars in international law organized by the Codification Division as well as the public international law session at The Hague Academy of International Law.
• The lectures and seminars organized by the Codification Division are given by prominent international law scholars and practitioners from different regions and legal systems.
• The Fellowship Programme is conducted in English or French. The 2020 Programme will be conducted in French.

The Topics that will be covered include:

• International law
• Treaty law
• State responsibility
• International peace and security
• Peaceful settlement of international disputes
• Diplomatic and consular law
• International organizations
• United Nations institutions and law making
• The work of the International Law Commission
• International human rights law
• International humanitarian law
• International criminal law
• International environmental law
• Law of the sea
• International trade law
• International investment law
• Legal research
• Legislative drafting

How To apply for the United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme 2020

Eligibility

• You must have a legal background with professional experience in the field of international law.
• You are required to submit a medical certificate of good health and to certify that they are able to attend the entirety of the course on a full time basis.

Application Process

• Complete the application form in French, typewritten. Answers should be clear and as detailed as possible. If you need extra space, you may attach additional pages.

N/B: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• The “Letter of Transmission” must be completed and signed by a senior official of the institution that is presenting the candidate’s application.
• A candidate whose mother tongue or language of instruction is not French must submit evidence of his/her ability to attend and participate in lectures and seminars conducted in French (e.g., diploma of courses conducted in French, language test certificate, extensive work experience in French).

How to Submit your application

• The application should be sent by email to: ilfp@un.org

Two versions of the application form must be submitted:

• (1) One scanned copy of the signed original (for example in PDF or JPG)
• (2) One electronic MS Word version (or equivalent) of the application

The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the application and selection process, and does not require information with respect to candidates’ bank accounts.

The deadline for applications is 24 February 2020.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

The Selection process

When selecting participants for the Fellowship Programme, the following are considered:

• The scope of your professional duties
• The relevance of the training to your professional duties, geographical distribution and gender balance.
• Applications from female candidates are strongly encouraged.
• Due consideration will also be given to candidates from Member States from which there has been no recent fellowship recipient for the International Law Fellowship Programme.

What you stand to gain

• Apart from the training, the United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme cover the fellowship recipient’s travel costs in economy class, accommodation, medical insurance, participation in the Fellowship Programme, the training material and the registration fee for The Hague Academy of International Law. In accordance with the policies and procedures governing the administration of United Nations fellowships, participants will also receive a stipend to cover other living expenses.
• Qualified candidates may also apply for self-funded positions. Self-funded participants bear all costs associated with their participation (travel, accommodation, living expenses and registration fee for The Hague Academy of International Law). Training materials are provided to all self-funded participants free of charge.

To apply, click here

Important Downloads:

• Brochure (English | French)
• Application Form (French only)