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Externship Programme
Introduction for prospective Externs
The International Justice Project (IJP) Externship Programme offers a hands-on experience for students from around the world to immerse themselves in the interdisciplinary realities of capital punishment research.
Externships are flexibly arranged depending upon externs preferences and Project requirements; 12 weeks is the recommended minimum. Any less and the extern will not be in a position to serve as a fully-productive team-member or see self-initiated projects through to fruition.
The IJP accepts applications on a rolling basis.
Skills Required
Flexibility, conscientiousness and emotional maturity are essential qualities for an IJP extern. The Project's work reflects the dynamic realities of the punishment's utilization; a routine workload is rare, but all externs will impact the Project's work and development significantly.
A rudimentary understanding of international law is required. However, this prerequisite need not be extensive, but a prospective extern must be familiar with the basics. Excellent writing skills and the ability to comprehend and précis are fundamental qualities that an extern must possess.
The work is both demanding and time sensitive, therefore, all externs must be capable of working under pressure. Given the fact research is undertaken from a distance, good communication is vital as is the ability to demonstrate individual initiative without constant supervision.
All members of the team perform a wide variety of tasks, ranging from mundane responsibilities to complex research. The IJP researches issues ranging from juvenile justice to the use of capital punishment in the US and Southeast Asia. Team work has always been central to the IJP and has continued to be so even though externs are geographically scattered.
While the IJP accepts students of law, we also actively encourage those with a strong interest in international affairs, international politics, human rights or criminology to apply.
How to Apply
To apply for an externship, submit the following materials:
- A cover letter, detailing your interest in, and qualifications for, an externship position.
- A CV/resume with at least two recommendation sources.
- Within your submission please incorporate answers to the following questions.
- Why do you believe you are qualified for this externship position?
- How does this externship relate to your professional goals?
- What classes, if any, have you taken in international law, capital punishment, human rights, or other applicable areas of study?
Please send the above information to:
International Justice Project
Externship Programme
International Justice Project
23-25 Durham Road
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 7HU
United Kingdom
Or e-mail the information to:
ijphollanduk@aol.com
When Should You Apply
Applications are taken on a rolling basis, however it is strongly recommended that you begin the application process at least three months before you would want to start the externship.
Stipend
A small stipend may be available.
Recommended Reading
The externs are expected to arrive with some requisite knowledge. The following list of books, documents and cases will expose students to the issues involved in the IJPs daily work.
The Death Penalty in General
Bedau, H.A. (Editor), The Death Penalty in America: Current Controversies. Oxford University Press. Oxford. 1997
Schabas, W.S., The Abolition of the Death Penalty in International Law, 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. 2002.
Hood, Roger, The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective, 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003.
Foreign Nationals
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
Equal Protection: Consular Assistance and Criminal Justice Procedures in the USA, The International Justice Project and Human Rights Research, 2005.
Bridging the Gap: Effective Representation of Foreign Nationals in US Criminal Cases: Second Edition 2005
Mental Retardation
Atkins v Virginia decision and the European Union brief in McCarver v North Carolina.
Beyond Reason: The Death Penalty and Offenders with Mental Retardation.
Perske, Robert, Unequal Justice?: What Can Happen When Persons with Retardation or Other Developmental Disabilities Encounter the Criminal Justice System, Abingdon Press, 1991.
Mental Illness
Please see the case of Scott Panetti.
Selection Process
Because the applications are accepted on a rolling basis, they are reviewed upon receipt. After receiving the initial package, we will ask some applicants to submit writing samples. Applicants who appear to fulfill our criteria will be interviewed and their references checked. Final determinations will then be made. It is important to remember that we accept externs throughout the year. Applicants might be rejected, not because they are poorly qualified, but rather because all extern positions are filled.
Languages
Fluency in English is required. French and/or other languages are recommended, but not required.
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