Cecily Zamora
Working for the United Nations is a dream for many law graduates across the globe, as it offers good remuneration, a wide range of benefits, and meaningful work. The UN System offers many work opportunities for law professionals, including internships and entry-level programs, which can help one get their foot in the door. To become a lawyer for the United Nations, one needs a strong educational background in international law, with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree, and experience working in intergovernmental organizations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum age requirement | 18 years old |
| Educational background | Bachelor's degree in law or development-related studies |
| Educational background | Advanced university degree (Master's or PhD) in law or development-related studies |
| Specialization | Environmental law, maritime law, trade law, treaty law |
| Language skills | Fluency in foreign languages related to your area of interest |
| Work experience | Experience working in intergovernmental organizations |
| Work opportunities | Entry-level internships, volunteer work, contractual work, competitive recruitment exams |
| Benefits | Holidays and leave, health insurance, retirement pension, rental subsidy, dependency allowances, education grant, travel and shipping expenses, assignment grant, hardship allowance, hazard pay, language incentive, language allowance |
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What You'll Learn
- Entry requirements: A Bachelor's degree in law is the minimum requirement
- Specialisation: Lawyers usually need to choose a specific area, like environmental law
- Benefits: Staff members are entitled to benefits such as health insurance and travel expenses
- Internships: Undergraduate and graduate students can gain experience through internships
- Contractual work: Temporary roles are a good way to get started and make connections
Entry requirements: A Bachelor's degree in law is the minimum requirement
A Bachelor's degree in law is the minimum educational requirement to work for the United Nations as a lawyer. However, the specific requirements may vary according to the agency or vacancy. Some positions may require an advanced degree, such as a Master's or PhD, in law or development-related studies.
It is important to note that the selection processes for United Nations jobs are often competitive. Therefore, it is advantageous to have relevant work experience and a strong academic background in international law. Specialization in a specific area of international law, such as environmental law or treaty law, is also beneficial.
In addition to educational qualifications, the United Nations values experience working in intergovernmental organizations. Entry-level internships, starter programs, and contractual work are excellent ways to gain experience and build a network within the United Nations. These opportunities can help individuals gain a foothold in the organization and increase their chances of securing a full-time position.
The United Nations also offers a competitive recruitment exam for aspiring workers and a volunteer program for volunteer lawyers. Networking with individuals and organizations connected to the United Nations can also help individuals stay informed about job openings and increase their chances of employment.
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Specialisation: Lawyers usually need to choose a specific area, like environmental law
Lawyers who wish to work for the United Nations need a strong educational background in international law and experience working in intergovernmental organizations. They must also have a specialisation in a specific area of law, such as environmental law, maritime law, trade law, or treaty law.
Environmental law is a crucial specialisation for lawyers aspiring to work for the United Nations. This field of law focuses on the legal aspects of environmental protection, sustainability, and natural resource management. Environmental lawyers working for the UN may be involved in drafting and implementing environmental policies, regulations, and treaties at the international level. They may also work on cases involving transboundary environmental disputes, biodiversity conservation, or climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, is another potential area of specialisation. This field of law covers various legal issues arising from maritime activities, such as shipping, navigation, and maritime commerce. Lawyers specialising in maritime law within the UN context may work on matters related to maritime boundaries, maritime safety, and the protection of the marine environment. They may also handle cases involving piracy, maritime accidents, or disputes between flag states and shipowners.
Trade law, or international trade law, is a vital specialisation for lawyers seeking to work for the United Nations. This area of law encompasses the legal framework governing international trade, including trade agreements, customs regulations, and dispute resolution between nations. Lawyers specialising in trade law within the UN may be involved in negotiating and interpreting trade agreements, advising on World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, and resolving trade disputes through international arbitration or litigation.
Treaty law is another critical area of specialisation. Treaty lawyers working for the UN focus on the legal aspects of international treaties and agreements. They may be involved in drafting, negotiating, and interpreting treaties on a wide range of subjects, including human rights, disarmament, environmental protection, and international peace and security. Treaty lawyers within the UN also ensure that treaties comply with international law and advise on the implementation and enforcement of treaty obligations.
It is important to note that while specialisation is essential, a broad understanding of international law and its interplay with other areas of law is also beneficial. Additionally, proficiency in foreign languages relevant to the specific region or area of law is highly advantageous for lawyers aspiring to work for the United Nations.
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Benefits: Staff members are entitled to benefits such as health insurance and travel expenses
Working for the United Nations (UN) with a law degree can offer a range of benefits, including health insurance and travel expense coverage.
Health Insurance
The UN offers comprehensive health insurance plans for its active staff, former staff under specific conditions, and their eligible dependents. This includes spouses and dependent children up to the age of 25 or until they are married or fully employed. There is no difference in coverage between the staff member and their dependents enrolled under the same plan. The cost-sharing structure is based on income, where those earning more contribute more than 50% and vice versa. There is no limit to the number of dependent children that can be covered under the UN-administered health insurance plans.
Travel Expenses
The UN provides travel expense coverage for its staff members, their spouses, and dependent children in appropriate cases and subject to conditions prescribed by the Secretary-General. This includes official travel for internationally recruited staff members and their eligible family members. Staff members are responsible for securing advance funds to cover travel expenses and ensuring proper authorization before commencing travel. The UN also reimburses reasonable hospital and medical expenses incurred by staff members during official business travel, provided they are not covered by other arrangements. Additionally, the UN offers a settling-in grant to provide staff with cash at the beginning of an assignment to cover installation costs.
Overall, the UN provides a robust benefits package, including health insurance and travel expense coverage, which can be advantageous for individuals working in the organization with a law degree. These benefits aim to support the well-being and mobility needs of UN staff and their eligible family members.
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Internships: Undergraduate and graduate students can gain experience through internships
Working for an organisation within the United Nations (UN) is a dream for many law graduates. The UN offers a wide range of benefits, good remuneration, and meaningful work. It also provides a chance to develop a global career with a global reach in a multicultural environment.
The UN offers many work opportunities for law professionals, and internships are a great way for undergraduate and graduate students to gain experience in the field of international law. The UN's International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), for example, offers legal internships that provide a unique opportunity to gain insight into the day-to-day work of an international judicial institution. To be eligible for a legal internship, students must be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level).
The UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) also offers an internship programme for a select number of applicants majoring in commercial law, international trade law, or private international law. The internship programme takes into account the intern's qualifications and the purpose of the internship as expressed by the sponsoring institution or the intern.
The IRMCT and UNCITRAL internship programmes are highly competitive, and applicants must carefully follow the instructions in the vacancy notice. The UN is unable to provide financial assistance or remuneration to interns. However, interns may be eligible for benefits such as holidays, health insurance, and education grants, depending on their situation and the characteristics of their post.
In addition to academic qualifications, applicants for UN law internships should be fluent in at least one of the UN's working languages (English or French) and have computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office and Internet research. Knowledge of other official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) and advanced skills related to website administration are considered assets.
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Contractual work: Temporary roles are a good way to get started and make connections
Working for the United Nations (UN) is a dream for many law graduates, as the organization offers meaningful work, good remuneration, and a wide range of benefits. The UN offers a variety of contract types, including fixed-term appointments (FTA), continuing appointments (CA), and temporary appointments (TA).
Temporary roles are a great way to get started with the UN and make valuable connections. These appointments are typically for a limited period, usually less than a year, and are designed to meet the short-term needs of the organization. Temporary appointments are perfect for addressing immediate, project-specific tasks and can be a good way to gain experience within the UN system. For instance, they may be used to cover for staff on leave or for work on a project with a defined end date.
Temporary appointments offer a similar benefits package to fixed-term appointments, including health insurance, pension plans, and allowances. However, they are less comprehensive, reflecting the shorter duration of employment. These roles can provide an excellent stepping stone to other roles within the UN, as they allow individuals to develop their professional networks and gain encouragement to develop their careers further.
The UN also offers consultancies and individual contractor agreements as temporary contractual arrangements. Consultancies are specialized contracts for individuals who provide expert advice or services on a specific project, typically on a short-term and task-specific basis. Individual Contractor Agreements are for individuals performing specific tasks that do not require full-time employment. It is important to note that consultants and contractors do not receive the full benefits package and are not considered staff members.
Overall, temporary roles within the UN provide a great opportunity for individuals seeking to gain experience, make connections, and contribute to the organization's mission. These roles offer flexibility and can be a stepping stone to other long-term career opportunities within the UN system.
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Frequently asked questions
Working for the United Nations with a law degree means developing a global career with a global reach, in a multicultural and pleasant environment. You will be able to construct influential networks and receive encouragement to develop professionally. Additionally, you will be entitled to benefits such as health insurance, retirement pension, and travel and shipping expenses.
The educational background required for UN law jobs varies according to agency or specific vacancy. Generally, you need to hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in law or development-related studies. Some positions may require you to hold an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in law or development-related studies.
The selection processes for UN jobs are usually quite competitive, so strong preparation is key. You can increase your chances by gaining relevant work experience, such as through internships or contractual work. Networking with individuals and organizations connected to the UN is also a good way to stay informed about job openings.
Lawyers for the United Nations work in a wide variety of areas related to international law, such as environmental law, maritime law, and trade law. Thus, it is beneficial to have experience working in intergovernmental organizations and a strong background in international law.
The UN System usually accepts applicants who are a minimum of 18 years old at the time of application. However, some agencies or vacancies may have slightly higher minimum age requirements. There is no maximum age restriction for most positions, but certain programs, such as the United Nations Young Professionals Program, have strict age restrictions.
