International Criminal CourtICC Core Competency
Professionalism — ICC competency
Applying professional and technical expertise to the Court's work, with accuracy, reliability and sound judgement.
What this competency means
Professionalism at the Court concerns the application of relevant expertise to a demanding judicial and administrative environment, the accuracy and reliability of one's work, and the judgement exercised in situations where errors carry consequences for proceedings.
Based on the ICC Core Competency Framework
Behavioural indicators
- Applies professional and technical expertise relevant to the role
- Delivers accurate and reliable work
- Exercises sound judgement in the area of responsibility
PanelPrep interview guidance
What a strong example might demonstrate
Candidates preparing for competency-based interviews can use this competency to think about work where accuracy mattered and errors would have had real consequences. A strong behavioural example would demonstrate the expertise applied, the checks put in place, and the outcome.
PanelPrep interview guidance
How to prepare for questions on this competency
Because ICC roles are often highly specialised, professionalism is generally explored through the technical substance of past work and the way quality was assured.
STAR preparation
- Situation — set the context in two sentences: where, when, who was involved.
- Task — state precisely what you were responsible for, not what the team was responsible for.
- Action — spend most of the answer here, in the first person, showing the indicators above in practice.
- Result — quantify the outcome and add what you learned or changed afterwards.
PanelPrep interview guidance
Common interview question patterns
Illustrative patterns written by PanelPrep to help you practise. They are not published or endorsed by ICC.
- Describe the most demanding technical work you have delivered.
- Tell us how you ensure accuracy in your work.
- Give an example of professional judgement you exercised.
PanelPrep interview guidance
Common mistakes
- Generic answers that could apply to any employer
- No evidence of quality control
- Overstating expertise that will be probed by a specialist panel
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The competency name, category and behavioural concepts on this page are based on International Criminal Court, core competencies published in official ICC vacancy announcements and recruitment materials. Summaries, interview guidance, question patterns and preparation advice are original PanelPrep content.
Framework version: ICC core competencies as published in ICC vacancy announcements. Last verified: 2026-08-09.
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