The United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) is inviting applications for a Library Internship in its Office of the Registrar in Arusha, Tanzania. Library Intern Office of the Registrar at IRMCT 2026, This is a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in an international legal and archival environment, supporting the work of the United Nations in international justice.
About IRMCT
Established by the United Nations Security Council in 2010, the IRMCT carries out essential functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) after the completion of their mandates. The Registry, operating from Arusha, Tanzania, and The Hague, Netherlands, provides vital administrative, legal, policy, and diplomatic support. Key responsibilities of the Registry include:
- Administrative support to the Mechanism, including court services.
- Supervision of sentence enforcement and monitoring of cases referred to national courts.
- Preservation and management of ICTR, ICTY, and Mechanism archives.
- Protection of victims and witnesses.
- Assistance to national jurisdictions.
Internship Overview
The internship is based in the Library of the Registry in Arusha and will run for 3–6 months, from March 1 to August 31, 2026. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Library Assistant and gain exposure to a wide range of resources and services, including:
- Books on international law, international criminal law, genocide, and human rights.
- Online Public Access Catalogues.
- Document delivery services for internal and external users.
- In-person reference and research support.
Responsibilities
Interns will support the library by performing tasks such as:
- Assisting with library circulation functions including retrieval, check-out, and recalls of materials.
- Registering new materials in the library system and performing cataloguing operations.
- Assigning classification codes, call numbers, and labeling library materials.
- Providing visitors with information and research assistance.
- Locating online journal articles and responding to reference queries.
- Cataloguing and indexing library materials and maintaining the library management system.
- Compiling daily news summaries from local, regional, and international sources.
- Supporting public relations, protocol services, and communications, including social media messaging and archival research.
- Assisting in daily library administration and tours for visitors.
Qualifications and Skills
Applicants must meet one of the following educational requirements:
- Enrolled in or recently completed a bachelor’s degree program.
- Enrolled in or recently completed a graduate degree program (Master’s or higher).
Preferred areas of study include: Library/Information Science, Information Management, Communication, Journalism, Multimedia Studies, or similar fields. Additional skills and requirements:
- No prior work experience is required.
- Computer literacy in standard software applications is essential.
- Knowledge of library cataloguing systems is desirable.
- Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of French, Kiswahili, or Kinyarwanda is an advantage.
Additional Information
- Interns are not financially remunerated. Costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or sponsoring institution.
- Interns may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization if they are not citizens or permanent residents of Tanzania.
- Interns are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding unpublished information accessed during the internship.
- The United Nations is committed to diversity and inclusion; all applicants are treated equally, and reasonable accommodations are provided for persons with disabilities.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit their applications via the United Nations Inspira portal: https://www.careers.un.org. Applicants must also email copies of their university transcripts or enrollment records to internshipoffice@un.org. Applications must include:
- Motivation statement with available start and end dates.
- Academic transcripts or proof of enrollment.
- Completed Acceptance and Undertaking Form (upon selection).
Important Note: The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the application or recruitment process. For detailed programme guidelines, terms, and conditions, interested candidates may visit the IRMCT internship page: IRMCT Internship Programme.
