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Finding and Funding International Public Service Opportunities
Aug 12, 2024

Donated to PSJD by: * Beth Shackleford, Director of Student Professional Development, The University of Georgia School of Law

  • Lindsay J. McCaslin, Assistant Dean for Career Services, William & Mary Law School
  • Lissette Calder?n, Director of International Student Success, Career Development Office, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

How to Use this Guide

Students interested in practicing international law often get frustrated when job searching because they do not know where to look or what options are available. One reason is because the employers that need attorneys for international law are not always obvious. It may be obvious that the CIA needs experts in international law; but what about the U.S. Department of Agriculture? Another reason international jobs can be difficult to locate is because of the wide diversity of practice areas within the field of “international law.” After all, international law includes fighting against human rights abuses, negotiating financial projects between countries or foreign corporations, counterterrorism, or determining how foreign trade agreements affect domestic patents.

The purpose of this guide is to warehouse the various agencies, corporations and nonprofits that regularly hire interns and attorneys in these fields. This guide will tell you where to look, where you can get information, and it will spark ideas of the career paths you can pursue in the field of international law.

Good luck with your future career in International Law!

Tips for Job Hunting in an International Area

  • Learn everything you can about the country or global region in which you are interested. You must be sensitive to the legal structure and social and political norms, in addition to learning everything you can about customs, geography, etc. The Department of State’s website contains travel warnings, information about visas, exchange rates and health precautions. Use the website as a starting point and then do broader research.

  • Take advantage of internships in the countries/regions where you think you might want to work after law school.

  • Networking skills are particularly valuable in the field of international law. Take advantage of every opportunity to make contact and never lose track of them! Ask your Career Office for referrals to alumni and faculty who might be helpful.

  • Consider summer study abroad programs and, while there, make contacts with international professors and organizations. If there is a work or internship component, participate in it. If there are no such opportunities, see what you can do to arrange something yourself, so you can get relevant work experience in the area.

  • Summer abroad programs featuring comparative legal systems and analysis will help you better understand the civil law system.

  • Departments of public information or reporting and analysis, although not primarily legal, will give you the chance to learn a lot, meet the people you need to meet, and perhaps move into handling some legal issues.

Tips for Preparing a Resume to Send Outside the U.S.

You generally do not need to make major changes to your standard resume. The format and standard categories will remain the same (such as contact information, education, experience, publications, activities, etc.); however, modification in some areas will be beneficial:

  • Dates should not be abbreviated (April 1, 20XX, not 4/1/XX).

  • Spell out the name of states (Rhode Island, not RI).

  • Do not use acronyms, because they may not be understood (Bachelor of Arts, not BA).

  • If you spent a semester or longer living and studying in a country, include this information under “Education.”

  • If you completed major research, or have focused your studies in a relevant area, also include this information under Education.

  • When referring to a teaching position, include both grade and age because school systems vary overseas (“Taught 7th grade English to students ages 12 to 13.”).

  • Include a section on languages (but not dialects, unless relevant). Indicate level of proficiency (bilingual, fluent, proficient, working knowledge or basic) and type of skill (reading, conversational, written). Mention language certificates or degrees. Do not overstate your abilities! You may be expected to use it at that level during your interview. Furthermore, employers will rely on this information in the selection process and when assigning work, which could include interviewing clients in their native language.

  • Include a section on travel, if you have traveled extensively. This will indicate your ease and familiarity with living abroad.

  • Include conferences and seminars specific to your chosen area of law or global region that you have attended.

  • In the “Experience” section, be sure to list relevant projects and countries of emphasis (even if work was completed domestically)

Where to Find International Jobs and Internships

This section is divided into three subsections, depending on the type of organization with which you would like to be employed: the U.S. Federal Government; International Courts and Related Organizations; and International Non-Profits and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The non-profits and NGOs are organized by subject matter.

In addition to researching the agencies noted below, a useful resource is PSJD.org which contains a variety of federal government resources, the NALP Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide, and job postings.

U.S. Federal Government

Offices with High Concentrations of International Work
  • Central Intelligence Agency: The Office of General Counsel handles international legal issues relating to foreign intelligence and counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counternarcotics, nonproliferation and arms control, immigration, and international financial transactions, as well as foreign and international law and legislation.

  • Department of Defense: International work conducted in the Office of General Counsel’s International Affairs, Intelligence, Defense and Environment and Installations Sub-Offices include international relations, military justice, intelligence and counterintelligence policy, and counternarcotics.

  • Export-Import Bank of the United States: Independent governmental agency that helps finance overseas sales of U.S. goods and services. General Counsel’s Office hires a very small number of law students for paid (or unpaid, depending on budget) summer internships.

  • Office of the U.S. Trade Representative: Office is the chief trade negotiator and principal trade policy advisor to the President and responsible for developing and implementing trade policies to promote world growth and create new opportunities for America. This office offers unpaid intern programs for undergraduate and graduate students and hire interns year-round, including summer.

  • Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Independent corporation owned by the U.S. government, to encourage private direct investment abroad in support of economic development in friendly countries. Department of Legal Affairs hires interns for an unpaid full-time summer internship program, as well as several interns for unpaid fulltime and part-time fall and spring semester programs.

  • U.S. Agency for International Development: USAID is a non-partisan governmental organization responsible for administering U.S foreign aid programs. The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice and guidance for all the agency’s operations worldwide. Full and part-time unpaid internships are available throughout the year to law students.

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: The Corps has offices worldwide and its mission includes both domestic and worldwide design, construction and 7 maintenance of Army and Air Force projects, as well as water-related civil projects, environmental cleanup, regulation of wetland development, and engineering and construction assistance to international and territorial agencies. The office typically hires law graduates for its Civilian Honors Law Graduate Program.

  • U.S. Department of Justice:

    • Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management – OARM recommends candidates with international interests to consider the following DOJ constituent groups: Antitrust Division, Civil Division, Criminal Division, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), and Office of Intelligence Policy and Review. Candidates interested in immigration and naturalization should consider these constituent groups: Civil Division, Civil Rights Division, Criminal Division, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Legal Policy, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    • Office of International Affairs – Advises the Attorney General, DOJ officials, U.S. Attorney’s offices and state/local prosecutors on international criminal matters, coordinates extradition of international fugitives and international evidence gathering. With the State Department, it negotiates treaties, conventions and other agreements on international criminal matters and participates on committees established by the UN and other international organizations directed at resolving international law enforcement problems (e.g., narcotics trafficking, organized crime, cyber-crime, corruption, terrorism, and money laundering). Offices are maintained in numerous countries, and U.S. Attorneys in domestic offices may have the opportunity for temporary assignment outside the U.S.

    • Executive Office of Immigration Review – Handles immigration and asylum cases. Law students may participate in paid, volunteer and for-credit summer internships and graduates are hired for Attorney General’s Honors Program.

  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Include Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Customs and Border Protection and Offices of Policy and Intelligence and Analysis. Homeland Security has both summer internship and an entry-level (Honors) program for law students.

  • U.S. Department of State:

    • Office of the Legal Adviser – Assists in formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy and promoting development of international law. The Office provides legal support by international region/country and by function (e.g., Office of Oceans, International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of Treaty Affairs). The Office hires 3Ls and judicial law clerks for its 3-year New Attorney Program, interns for its paid summer program and full or part-time unpaid interns for its school-year Work Study (Extern) Program. The Department offers a number of student intern programs (mostly unpaid) outside of the Office of the Legal Adviser, some of which provide the opportunity for overseas placement or for work domestically on international issues. 8

    • U.N. Employment Information & Assistance Unit – Coordinates U.S. government recruitment efforts for the United Nations, Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development, Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe, Organization of American States, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Compiles a listing of International Vacancy Announcements.

    • Foreign Service – Offers five different career tracks: Management Affairs, Consular Affairs, Economic Affairs, Political Affairs, and Public Diplomacy and applicants must select a track early in the hiring process.

  • U.S. International Trade Commission: An independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides trade expertise to the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices such as patent, trademark, and copyright infringement.

  • U.S. Trade and Development Agency: Independent government agency that promotes U.S. exports by helping companies pursue overseas business opportunities. 1Ls and 2Ls are considered for a 10 week unpaid summer internship.

Additional Federal Offices to Consider
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture: Office of General Counsel handles legal aspects of export and foreign assistance programs.

  • U.S. Department of Commerce: International opportunities may be found in the Office of the Chief Counsel for International Commerce, Import Administration, Export Administration, and the Office of General Counsel for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Office of General Counsel hires law students for volunteer internships during the fall and spring, as well as for paid, unpaid, and for-credit summer internships.

  • Commodities Futures Trading Commission: The Office of International Affairs compiles information on applicable law and procedure in various foreign jurisdictions and coordinates U.S. information sharing requirements pertaining to oversight and regulation of futures and options. They also support activities in promoting U.S. interests in an international forum and aids foreign regulators in the pursuit of their mandates when inter-jurisdictional issues involving the U.S. arise.

  • Congressional Research Service: This is part of the Library of Congress system providing broad-based research, analysis and references for members of Congress, Committees, and their staffs. International issues are addressed in Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division, and Information Research Division’s Section on History. The Law Recruit program offers the opportunity for permanent employment as legislative attorneys with the CRS American Law Division.

  • Federal Reserve Board: A small portion of the Board’s work involves international banking.

  • Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection: The Bureau has an International Division of Consumer Protection. Law students are hired for paid summer clerkships.

  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission: The NRC supports U.S. interests abroad in the use of nuclear materials and in guarding against the spread of nuclear weapons. It participates in international working groups, provides advice and assistance to international organizations and foreign countries to develop effective regulatory organizations, and enforces rigorous safety standards. The Commission is also the U.S. licensing authority for exports and imports of nuclear materials and equipment. Several law students are hired each year for paid summer internships, and a small number of graduates are hired for the Honor Law Graduate Program.

  • Peace Corps: Alternative career opportunities domestically and abroad.

  • Securities and Exchange Commission: Office of International Affairs investigates problems that arise in enforcement, promotes cooperation among international bodies and works on treaties. Law students are hired for the Summer Honors Law program, as well as the Law Student Observer program during the Fall and Spring. Law graduates are hired for the Advance Commitment program.

  • U.S. Department of Transportation: The Department is responsible for developing national transportation goals and policies, and coordinating federal transportation programs. The Office of General Counsel has a small Office of International Law and generally hires students for an unpaid or for-credit internship each semester and during the summer. The Honors Attorney Program is offered in even years for graduating law students.

  • U.S. Department of the Treasury: The Department coordinates U.S. government recruitment efforts for the Inter-American Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank. The mission of the Office of International Affairs is to increase economic growth and improve economic stability in developing countries, emerging market countries and industrial countries. The Office of General Counsel hires law students for its volunteer Summer Honors Program.

  • U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: An independent, bi-partisan agency which monitors religious freedom abroad and advises the President, Secretary of State, and Congress on how to best promote it. The Commission offers two paid summer Immigration Law Fellowships as well as unpaid internships.

U.S. Legislature

Entry-level positions with Senators and House members are available, as are academic year and summer internships. Many interns are assigned to assist Committees in their activities. Although some deal almost exclusively with international issues (e.g., Senate Committee on International Activities, Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and House Committee on International Relations), almost every Committee is involved with international issues at some time. For a list of Committees, see www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.

International Courts and Related Organizations

  • Constitutional Courts: Links to constitutional courts and equivalent bodies around the globe.

  • International Bureau of the Permanent Court of Arbitration: Established by the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes to offer a wide range of dispute resolutions. PCA internships are offered in a cycle of four three month terms, and internships in association with the International Council for Commercial Appeals are available in three three-month terms. There are also unpaid PCA fellowship positions that provide the opportunity to work at an international arbitration institution for one full year.

  • International Commission of Jurists: A network of 82 autonomous national sections and affiliated legal organizations in 62 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America. The ICJ’s Center for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers has a particular focus on the international judiciary, working to promote and protect judicial independence and impartiality and safeguarding judges from government harassment and persecution. Information about internships is under the “About” link on the home page.

    • International Criminal Court: Based in The Hague and established by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1998. ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to promote the rule of law and ensure that the gravest international crimes do not go unpunished. The website describes the ICC’s internship/clerkship program and Visiting Professionals program under the “Recruitment” tab.

    • International Justice Project: This organization is not a court or judicial organization, but some of its activities may involve judges/courts. IJP works towards the development, coordination and increased employment of international law and human rights standards as they pertain to capital punishment. Information on the IJP Externship program is available on the website.

  • International Public Interest Law: A Guide to Opportunities in the United States and Abroad: This publication is a joint project of Harvard and Yale law schools, published by Harvard Law School’s Office of Public Interest Advising. It contains information about internships and post-graduate opportunities with the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and the European Court of Justice.

  • Judicial Watch: Based in Washington, D.C., with offices in Miami, Dallas, and San Marino, CA. Not a court or judicial organization, but a self-described legal "watchdog" over government, legal, and judicial systems to promote ethics and morality in public life. Its work involves monitoring judicial activities, and occasionally, that work may have an international component. Information about available internships is listed in the “About Us” section of the website under “Career Opportunities.”

  • National Center for State Courts: Links to courts around the world, their structures, functions and programs are available at www.ncscinternational.org/. Information about internships is available on the website.

  • PSJD: An international database of public interest organizations and employment opportunities. Includes selected U.S. courts with international components and some courts abroad.

  • The Special Court for Sierra Leone: The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone was established by an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone to oversee the continuing legal obligations of the Special Court for Sierra Leone after its closure in 2013. These include witness protection, supervision of prison sentences, and management of the SCSL archives.

  • United States Specialty Courts

    • The United States Court of International Trade: An Article III court with nationwide jurisdiction dealing primarily with cases involving international trade and custom duties.

    • Alien Terrorist Removal Court: (No website. See Leadership Directories Judicial Yellow Book.) – Based in Washington, D.C., and created by the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, the court has the authority to conduct proceedings to determine whether an alien should be removed from the U.S. on the grounds of being a terrorist. Five federal district court judges from five judicial districts comprise the court; they are appointed for 5-year terms by the Chief Justice of the United States and may be reappointed. It has a relatively minimal docket and the need for interns is sporadic. Students interested in interning should contact judges at their respective chambers. Unpaid summer positions and paid post graduate clerkships may be available.

  • World Legal Information Institute: Information about and links to 15 international courts and tribunals and courts/judicial systems in 128 countries. Allows text-based searches and database searches using terms such as “internship” and “employment.”

International Non-Profits and Non-Governmental Organizations

General Resources
  • Cato Institute: Research to advance policies that protect human rights, extend the range of personal choice, and support the central role of economic freedom in ending world poverty. The institute offers summer, fall, and spring full-time internships that include monthly stipends.

  • Charity Village: International Directories and Resources for Non-profits.

  • Eldis: UK-based resource for global development information and opportunities. It is a gateway to more than 4500 organizations and keeps a list of career and internship opportunities with development organizations around the world.

  • Foreign Policy Association: Provides a diverse listing of jobs in the foreign policy field. Registration is free and affords the weekly job-posting newsletter. The Association also offers internship and employment opportunities from time to time.

  • Idealist: Comprehensive, searchable database of non-profit legal and non-legal jobs. Listings are by practice area, including both domestic and international opportunities.

  • International Economic Development Council: Helps economic developers work more effectively and raise the profile of the profession.

  • International Justice Mission: Human rights agency that rescues victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression. The General Counsel offers an internship.

  • International Law Institute: Provides training and technical assistance in international law, economics, and relations; helps drafts laws and design economic and government policies. The Institute offers unpaid internships.

  • Jobs4Development: Database of international development, NGO, non-profit, and charity jobs.

  • The Globalization Website: Compilation of inter-governmental organizations web sites.

  • Monster Global Gateway: – Searchable by country and keyword.

  • Global Giving: Organization raises funds for nonprofits.

  • National Institute for Research Advancement: NIRA’s World’s Directory of Think Tanks.

  • NGOJobBoard: Careers in Relief and Development – International and domestic NGO jobs searchable by location, post type, and/or category.

  • Nonprofit Career Network: International and domestic non-profit job listings that can be searched by location and type (full time or part time). Provides resume posting service, which nonprofit employers can access on-line. Site lists job fairs, conferences, and conventions.

  • Nonprofit Jobs: Non-profit jobs database searchable by international and legal skills.

  • OneWorld: Dedicated to using the democratic potential of the internet to promote human rights and sustainable development. The website has a job opportunities database searchable by country and categories. 13

  • Open Society Foundations: Private operating and grant-making foundation in New York City. Serves as hub of Soros Foundation network, a group of autonomous foundations and organizations in 50+ countries. It implements a range of initiatives promoting open societies by shaping government policy and supporting education, media, public health, human and women's rights, as well as social, legal, and economic reform. The foundation provides grants and has internships available.

  • Political Resources: Directory for NGOs.

  • Public Service Law Network: Housed at National Association for Law Placement (NALP), a comprehensive, password-protected, searchable database listing domestic and international public interest and government legal internships, post-graduate fellowships, and permanent positions.

  • Riley Guide: Links to major international job sites.

  • The Riley Guide: Non-Profits: Job listings for nonprofits, think tanks, and foundations.

  • SANGONet (Southern African NGO Network): Facilitates in access, sharing information, building capacity, raising awareness, enhancing reach and impact, and linking people and organizations through the use of information communication technologies in Southern Africa.

  • The WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources: Directory of other intergovernmental organizations

Diverse Missions
  • American Jewish World Service: Helps to alleviate poverty, hunger, and disease worldwide. Offers an unpaid internship.

  • American Bar Association: Asia Law Initiative: Supports legal reform and the rule of law in Asian countries.

  • American Bar Association: Section of Dispute Resolution: Offers internship opportunities to perform research and work with legal scholars and practitioners.

  • American Bar Association: Section of International Law International Internship Program: Helps place U.S. students in overseas law firms.

  • The Asia Foundation: A non-profit organization that collaborates with private and public organizations to support policy research and leadership in Asian nations. The Asia Foundation offers a short-term paid Junior Associate program in Washington D.C.

  • CARE International: Serves individuals and families in poorest communities in the world. Drawing strength from global diversity, resources, and experience, it promotes innovative solutions and advocates for global responsibility.

  • Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Carnegie Moscow Center of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: A non-profit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting U.S. engagement abroad (Carnegie Moscow Center focuses on Russia). They do not offer law student internships, but occasionally have openings for career positions.

  • The Carter Center: Based in Atlanta, the Center works with many projects involving rule of law, election monitoring, conflict resolution, democratization, and health.

  • Catholic Charities USA: Serves the poor and those in need by providing emergency shelter and food, advocacy, referrals, and long-term case management to help them live independently. Also provides household support such as food, clothing, household items, and emergency financial assistance. Helps teenage girls who need a stable home environment and assists with adoption, pregnancy support, immigration and refugee services, and special needs respite care. Offers jobs and internships from time to time.

  • The Clinton Foundation: A non-profit organization dedicated to fostering global interdependence through work in health security, economic development, leadership development, and racial, ethnic, and religious reconciliation. The Foundation offers internships and fellowships, as well as occasional permanent positions.

  • Colombo Plan: Focuses on economic and social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.

  • Food for the Hungry: Helps some of the world's most disadvantaged people in 37 countries through child development programs, agriculture and clean water projects, health and nutrition programs, education, micro-enterprise loans, and emergency relief.

  • Freedom House: Helps to advance the worldwide expansion of political and economic freedom. Offers several unpaid internships, as well as domestic and international opportunities.

  • International Crisis Group: A non-governmental, non-profit organization that works through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to resolve and prevent conflict. It offers legal internships as well as permanent career positions.

  • International Food Policy Research Institute: Provides policy solutions to reduce hunger and malnutrition, achieves food security and reduces poverty in developing countries. The Institute offers a limited number of internships and other positions.

  • International Institute for the Unification of Private Law: Examines the need and methods for coordinating private and commercial law among countries. The Institute offers a post-graduate legal internship.

  • International Labour Organization: Seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights. Offers an unpaid internship, and may offer a subsistence stipend.

  • International Republican Institute: Advances democracy, freedom, self-government, and the rule of law worldwide.

  • International Research and Exchanges Board: An international nonprofit organization that develops programs to improve education, strengthen the independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society. IREX offers a paid internship and posts career opportunities on its website.

  • International Senior Lawyers Project: Works to advance democracy and the rule of law, protect human rights, and promote economic development.

  • Internews: Works to improve access to information by fostering independent media policies in the public interest. The organization offers part-time internships.

  • Mercy Corps: Alleviates suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Offers unpaid internships.

  • National Democratic Institute: Works to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. Offers paid internships.

  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization: An alliance of 26 countries from North America and Europe committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty signed on April 4, 1949. NATO offers paid internships. Applications must be submitted about a year before the internship start date.

  • Organization of American States: The nations of the Americas are working closely together to strengthen democracy, advance human rights, promote peace and security, expand trade, and tackle complex problems caused by poverty, drugs, and corruption. OAS offers unpaid internships and scholarships for academic studies.

  • Pact: A networked global organization that develops local leadership and organizational structures to confront the social needs of communities. Pact offers career opportunities abroad and at its Washington D.C. headquarters.

  • Save the Children: A US-based organization that provides support for needy children. It offers career and volunteer opportunities, as well as unpaid internships with funding available through its Diversity Intern Scholarship.

  • World Learning: An organization that fosters global citizenship, international learning and community development. It offers volunteer, paid internship, and career opportunities.

  • World Vision: Helps children and their communities reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. Offers paid internships.

Economic Development
  • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation: Forum used to facilitate economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Asian Development Bank: ADB is a multilateral development finance institution dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific. ADB offers internships and provides a stipend for all interns.

  • Communication Initiative: Website designed to facilitate communication among development professionals (legal and nonlegal).

  • DevNet Jobs: Job listings in the development field, including many related to human rights and humanitarian work. Membership is required to view some listings. The above website provides a free newsletter.

  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development: Established in 1991 when communism was crumbling in Europe and ex-Soviet countries needed support to nurture a new private sector in a democratic environment. Uses investment tools to help build market economies and democracies in 27 countries from central Europe to central Asia. Offers several internships and jobs.

  • European Investment Bank: As the European Union's financing institution, the Bank contributes towards the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the Member Countries. The EIB offers a variety of internships, most of which are at least partially funded.

  • Financial Services Volunteer Corps: Not-for-profit, private partnership that seeks to build sound banking and financial systems in transition and developing countries.

  • FINCA International: Delivers financial services (small loans and savings products) to those who could not otherwise obtain them. Offers several internships, at least some of which are paid.

  • Inter-American Development Bank: The main source of multilateral financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean, IADB plays a leading role in regional integration. IADB offers internships and provides stipends to interns.

  • International Executive Services Corps: Not-for-profit organization using private sector volunteers to assist global economic growth. IESC offers a paid internship.

  • International Monetary Fund: International organization of 184 countries promoting international monetary cooperation, exchange stability and orderly exchange arrangements. Fosters economic growth and high levels of employment and provides temporary financial assistance to countries to ease balance of payments adjustment.

  • Organization for Economic Co-Operation & Development: 30 member countries share a commitment to democratic government and market economy. OECD offers internships for six-month terms.

  • World Bank: Made up of two development institutions owned by 185 member countries – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association. Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world, in an effort to alleviate poverty. The Legal Associates Program recruits LL.M. students for one year terms with the Legal Vice Presidency and also offers paid summer and winter internships to law students.

  • World Intellectual Property Organization: International organization dedicated to promoting use and protection of works of the human spirit. Intellectual property is expanding the bounds of science and technology and enriching the arts. WIPO plays an important role in enhancing quality and enjoyment of life, as well as creating real wealth for nations.

  • World Trade Organization: Only global international organization dealing with rules of trade among nations to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The WTO offers four paid internships as well as other externally-funded internships.

Environmental
  • Center for International Environmental Law: A nonprofit organization working to use international law and institutions to protect the environment, promote health, and ensure a just and sustainable society. Provides a wide range of services including legal counsel, policy research, analysis, advocacy, education, training, and capacity building. CIEL offers unpaid internships to current law students and fellowships to recent graduates.

  • Earthjustice: A non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. Earthjustice offers summer clerkships, as well as spring and fall externships.

  • Greenpeace: Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization that acts to change attitudes and behavior, protect and conserve the environment, and promote peace. Greenpeace offers a 6-month paid research internship.

  • International Union for the Conservation of Nature: Encourages the preservation of wildlife, natural environments, and living resources.

  • The Nature Conservancy: Works around the world to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Nature Conservancy offers a paid internship.

  • Winrock International: Works with people around the world to increase economic opportunities, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment.

  • World Resources Institute: Independent nonprofit organization with staff of more than 100 scientists, economists, policy experts, business experts, business and statistical analysts, mapmakers, and communicators, working to protect Earth and improve people’s lives. The Institute offers a number of paid and unpaid internships.

  • World Wildlife Fund: Founded in 1961 by scientists, naturalists and business and political leaders as an international fundraising organization that would collaborate with conservation groups to bring substantial financial support to worldwide conservation efforts. The WWF offers several paid and unpaid internships.

Human Rights
  • ABA-Section of International Law, Human Rights Committee: Contains organization profiles, job listings, and weekly human rights news. Student can sign up to receive the weekly newsletter and also view past issues.

  • Amnesty International: Works around the globe to fight injustice and to promote human rights. Listing of current vacancies with International Secretariat of Amnesty International.

  • Asia Pacific Forum: Facilitates formation and growth of national human rights institutions in Asia by providing training, networking, and resource sharing. Offers internships on ad hoc basis.

  • Global Rights: Legal and non-legal jobs with Global Rights, working for the protection of human rights. Global Rights offers unpaid internships.

  • Human Rights Interactive Network: This website has compiled a list of links to other websites listing jobs in the human rights field in the United States and abroad.

  • Human Rights First: Works in US and abroad to create a secure and humane world by advancing justice, human dignity, and respect for rule of law. Supports human rights activists who fight for basic freedoms and peaceful change at local level, and protects refugees in flight from persecution and repression, helps build strong international system of justice and accountability and ensures human rights laws and principles are enforced.

  • Human Rights Resource Center: Run by the University of Minnesota, this job bank lists a variety of human rights related jobs and does not require a membership.

  • Human Rights Watch: N.Y. and D.C.-based watchdog organization with broad mandate. Influences U.S. congressional policy and is a strong player in UN politics.

  • InterAction: The largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian non-governmental organizations. InterAction offers an unpaid internship.

  • International Center for Transitional Justice: The ICTJ assists countries in pursuing accountability for past mass atrocity or human rights abuse. The ICTJ offers unpaid internships.

  • Lawyers Without Borders: A U.S.-based non-profit that supports the development of the law and the legal profession throughout the world. The website maintains a listing of job and internship opportunities.

  • ReliefWeb: Many field positions advertised here are for humanitarian/relief work. However, occasionally there are human rights jobs posted, unrelated to relief work.

Immigration
  • International Catholic Migration Commission: Works with refugees, internally-displaced people and forced migrants. Gives priority to the most vulnerable and marginalized among these groups.

  • International Organization for Migration: With partners in international community, assists in meeting growing operational challenges of migration management, advancing understanding of migration issues, encouraging social and economic development through migration and upholding human dignity and well-being of migrants. The IOM offers internships and provides monthly subsistence allowances for interns.

Refugees
  • American Refugee Committee International: Assists in primary health care delivery, improved water and sanitation, shelter reconstruction, micro-credit projects, environmental rehabilitation, and psychosocial services.

  • Danish Refugee Council: A humanitarian umbrella organization that aims to protect refugees and internationally displaced people. Posts career opportunities on website.

  • International Committee of the Red Cross/Comite International de la Croix Rouge: Deals with prisoners of war and conditions of detainees in conflict and post-conflict zones; granted a special legal status stemming out of the Geneva Conventions giving them more access than normal NGOs.

  • International Rescue Committee: Founded by Albert Einstein, is among world's largest non-profit, non-sectarian, voluntary agencies assisting refugees, displaced persons, and others fleeing persecution and violent conflict. Offers internships.

Rule of Law / Election Monitoring
  • American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative: Public service project of the ABA that advances rule of law by supporting the legal reform process in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and Europe and Eurasia (see project descriptions below). The ABA offers career and volunteer opportunities for attorneys and internship and volunteer opportunities for law students.

    • Africa Division – Focuses on developing the independent judiciary, documenting human rights abuses, human trafficking and gender issues, constitutional reform, and continuing education for lawyers and judges.

    • Asia and the Pacific Division – Focuses on supporting indigenous efforts to develop an independent judiciary, to fight corruption, and to advocate for citizens’ rights.

    • Latin America and the Caribbean Division – Past projects have included human trafficking in Latin America, strengthening the criminal justice system in Ecuador, mediation in Mexico, and legal education and professionalism initiatives.

    • Middle East and North Africa Division – Initiatives include developing the role of women in the law, facilitating improvements in legal education, bar development and regulation of the legal profession, and judicial development.

    • Europe and Eurasia Division – Works to address judicial independence, adjudicating post-conflict war crimes cases, reforming legislation and legal institutions in countries striving for European Union accession, reforming law schools, adopting public integrity measures, and educating the public about their rights and responsibilities under the law. 21

  • Council of Europe: Created to defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and rule of law. Develops continent-wide agreements to standardize member countries' social and legal practices and promotes awareness of a European identity based on shared values.

  • International Center for Not-for-Profit Law: Promotes civil society and public participation in government; posts career opportunities on website.

  • International Foundation for Electoral Systems: Monitors elections and seeks to bolster democracy by developing programs to strengthen rule of law, good governance, and civil society. Dedicated to democracy worldwide and prospect that everyone is entitled to free and informed say in how he/she is governed. Offers paid internships open to all students and recruits at graduate schools in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions for fellowships.

  • International Bar Association’s International Rule of Law Directory: Provides users with resources and listings of organizations that offer assistance to development of the rule of law. A gateway site with links to over 1000 organizations.

  • Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe: OSCE has field missions all over central and Eastern Europe and central Asia, working on democratization, rule of law development, political monitoring, elections, etc. OSCE offers limited internships subject to current needs.

  • Partners for Democratic Change: Partners works to build democracies and foster local participation in the democratic process and posts career opportunities on its website.

United Nations
Women’s Rights
  • Association for Women’s Rights in Development: Provides weekly listings of gender-related job vacancies; often includes human rights jobs as well.

  • Center for Reproductive Rights: This organization uses “the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental right.” The organization offers several internships with varying levels of funding.

  • Safe Horizon: This site includes links to local and national domestic violence resources, which may provide referrals for international work.

  • Sisterhood is Global Institute: Comprehensive list of contact information for international human rights organizations working for women’s rights.

  • Women’s Centre for Legal Aid & Counseling: Aims to build a democratic Palestinian society based on principles of gender equality and social justice. Offers occasional internships.

  • Women’s Groups: Provides list of women’s organizations arranged by country.

Where to Find Funded Opportunities

This section focuses on funding for internships and fellowships. It has three subsections. The first subsection lists paid internships within the U.S. Government. The second subsection lists paid internships with non-profits and NGOs. The third section lists types of fellowships and grants, which provide an external source of funding to organizations, employees, and interns, who seek to better the international community

International Funded Opportunities within the US Government

Offices with a High Concentration of International Work
  • Export-Import Bank of the United States – Paid summer

  • U.S. Department of Justice: Executive Office of Immigration Review – Paid summer

  • U.S. Department of State: Office of the Legal Adviser – Paid summer, externship

Additional Federal Offices with International Work
  • U.S. Department of Commerce – Paid summer

  • Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection – Paid summer

  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission – Paid summer

  • U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom – Paid summer

International Funded Opportunities in Nonprofits and NGOs

General Resources
  • Cato Institute – Internships with stipends

  • Open Society Foundations – Grants

Diverse Missions
  • The Asia Foundation – Paid

  • International Labour Organization – Summer internship with stipend

  • International Research and Exchanges Board – Paid

  • National Democratic Institute – Paid

  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization – Paid

  • Organization of American States – Scholarships

  • Save the Children – Internship with scholarship

  • World Learning – Paid

  • World Vision – Paid

Economic Development
  • Asian Development Bank – Internship with stipend

  • European Investment Bank – Funded internships

  • FINCA International – Paid

  • Inter-American Development Bank – Internship with stipend

  • International Executive Services Corps – Paid

  • World Bank – Paid

  • World Trade Organization –Paid and funded internships

Environmental
  • Greenpeace – Paid

  • The Nature Conservancy – Paid

  • World Resources Institute – Paid

  • World Wildlife Fund – Paid

Immigration
  • International Organization for Migration – Internship with stipend

Rule of Law/Election Monitoring
  • International Foundation for Electoral Systems – Paid

United Nations
  • United Nations World Food Programme – Internship with stipend

Women’s Rights
  • Center for Reproductive Rights – Funded internships

Fellowships & Grants

Where to Learn More

If you are interested in a particular country, topic, or organization, it helps to learn as much as you can and to stay up-to-date on current topics in the field. Below are some of the resources that might be helpful.

International Study Opportunities

Summer Programs

The ABA provides a list of summer abroad programs sponsored by ABA-accredited law schools and links to those programs’ websites. Many summer abroad programs have internship components through which students can work for law offices in the host countries, in addition to taking traditional classroom courses. Each school’s website outlines whether its program includes an internship component.

L.L.M. Programs

International Public Interest Books & Guides

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the following for their source research or contributions:

For resume advice and samples:

  • Harlene Katzman

  • Martina Rojo

  • Charles Whitney

  • Pedro Andrade

  • Heiko Buesing

  • Frederic Eggermont

For source information on non-profits and non-governmental organizations:

  • Jim E. Calle

  • Robin Lerner

For books, guides and fellowship resources:

  • NALP Public Service Committee

For updates:

  • 2017-2018, Lissette Calderόn, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, Career Development Office

  • 2014-2015, Jacob Testa, William & Mary Law School, Class of 2015

  • 2013-2014, Zelida Hernandez, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, Research Assistant

  • 2012-2013, Kelsey Holden and Maggie Schaufler, University of Georgia School of Law, Class of 2014

  • 2011-12, Daniel Doty, William & Mary Law School, Class of 2013

  • 2010-11, Judith Parker, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, Faculty Services

  • 2009-10, Krystle Waldron, William & Mary Law School, Class of 2011

  • 2008-09, Joellen Childers, University of Georgia School of Law, Computing Services

  • 2007-08, Amanda E. Lueders, University of Arizona James E. Rogers School of Law, Class of 2008