Policy and Professional Practice (PPP) Internship 2027

Reporting to: Senior Dispute Resolution Advisor

Location: 12 Bloomsbury Square, Holborn, London (Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office)

Company Overview:

Ciarb is a professional membership body for alternative dispute resolution practitioners. We support our members through advocacy, professional standards, training, and guidance. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, compliance, and integrity in all that we do.

Position Overview:

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience within Ciarb's Policy and Professional Practice (PPP) team, contributing to a range of impactful projects that support the organisation's objectives. As an intern, you will develop practical workplace skills while gaining insight into how policy and professional practice work within the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) sector.

Throughout the internship, you will receive training, guidance, and exposure to a variety of responsibilities, including professional communication, research, writing, organisation, data management, project coordination, and monitoring activities. You will have the opportunity to contribute both administrative support and substantive input, allowing you to build confidence, take ownership of tasks, and gain experience working as part of a professional team.

In addition to developing highly transferable skills that are valuable across a wide range of careers, you will gain an introduction to ADR and the legal and professional frameworks that underpin the field. This experience will provide a strong foundation for those considering a future career in law, dispute resolution, public policy, or related professions.

Through mentoring and practical learning opportunities, Ciarb aims to support emerging professionals at the start of their careers, helping them build networks, enhance their employability, and gain meaningful experience within a globally recognised professional body. The internship is designed to equip you with skills, knowledge, and professional connections that will continue to benefit you long after the placement has ended.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducting legal research on arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), particularly to assist with development of Professional Practice Guidelines, academic articles, case notes, and briefs

• Drafting and/or reviewing articles for the Resolver or other content as needed

• Maintaining and updating the stakeholder management document, including engagement with our external political monitoring company

• Assisting in tracking of arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) developments globally

• Attending and taking meeting minutes for specialist groups, stakeholder engagements, and groups for which Ciarb serves as secretariat or steering committee members, including organising and distributing minutes to relevant individuals afterward

• Engaging with other Ciarb teams and directors to ensure synchronicity of projects and objectives

• Sending email communications to members, stakeholders, and specialist groups as needed

• Assisting with developing briefings for public engagements of the president and chief executive officer and any others as required

• Attending stakeholder meetings, public events, and conferences on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) with other team members

Experience:

Essential:

• Understanding of and strong interest in international dispute resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) law, and international policy, particularly in the areas of business, trade, commerce, and/or justice systems

• Strong legal research and writing skills

• Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail

• Familiar with the use of Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint)

• Strong communication skills, particularly in writing and via email

• Willingness to work with the team in person but ability to work independently in a remote setting

• Self-motivated and reliable, being able to accomplish tasks without constant supervision

• Native fluency in English with high level verbal and written grammar and spelling

• Ability to work in an inclusive and positive working environment and to interact with a highly diverse membership with sensitivity and professionalism

Desirable:

• Prior training in law at an undergraduate level or paralegal professional level or similar

• A qualification in law at a graduate level

• Completed coursework in international public or private law

• Experience in a member organisation or not for profit organisation

• Experience communicating in person and in writing with senior professionals and/or government officials

What's in it for you?