Deadline: Unspecified.

The WTO Secretariat maintains a variety of internship programmes for post-graduate students. Internship selections are based on merit, taking account of eligibility criteria, academic qualifications and expertise.

There are three internship programmes at the WTO. (1) The WTO Internship Programme is open to post-graduate students from all WTO members and countries or customs territories engaged in accession negotiations; (2) The China LDC and Accessions Programme (also known as the China WTO Accession Internship Programme); and (3) the WTO Support Programme for Doctoral Studies. Both (2) and (3) are reserved for post-graduate students from developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs).  

The WTO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for post-graduate students from WTO member and observer countries to gain valuable experience from working at the WTO.

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT

Assignments given to interns are intended to enhance the individual’s understanding of the WTO and of trade policy more generally. However, internships include opportunities in other specialist areas, such as finance, human resources, language services, IT and communications. The division to which the intern is assigned determines the precise nature of the work to be undertaken. Many interns work in the following areas:

• Trade law
• Economics
• Statistics
• Trade policy
• Languages
• Administration (procurement, finance, human resources)
• Information, communication and external relations
• Information management 

ELIGIBILITY

A candidate must:

• be a national of a WTO member state or a country or customs territory engaged in accession negotiations
• have completed his/her undergraduate studies in a relevant discipline and have completed at least one year of his/her postgraduate studies
• be at least 21 years old and a maximum of 30 years old during the internship.

BENEFITS

1. Interns receive a daily allowance of CHF 60 (including week-ends and official holidays falling within the selected period). Travel expenses to and from Geneva cannot be paid by the WTO, and such travel is not covered by the Organization’s insurance.
2. Medical health insurance coverage is mandatory in Switzerland, and interns are responsible for organizing their own health insurance prior to commencing their internship at the WTO.

APPLICATION

Candidates should submit their applications through the WTO external jobs platform and only candidates selected for interview are contacted. The system provides instructions for online application procedures. 

OFFICIAL LINK