WTO Internship Programme
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 assignments
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 lawEconomics Statistics Trade policy Languages | Administration (procurement, finance, human resources)Information, communication and external relations Information management |
Information about the responsibilities of the WTO’s divisions is available here.
Duration
Up to a maximum of six months.
Remuneration
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.
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.
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.
How to apply
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. A roster of suitable candidates is maintained from which interns are selected. Suitable applications are maintained on the roster for one year.
Intake to the WTO Internship Programme is on an ongoing basis, with no specific recruitment period. However, there may be specific vacancy notices for internship positions requiring particular qualifications and skillsets published on the WTO’s e-Recruitment website.
Additional information
The granting of an internship does not entail the right to a vacancy in another part of the Secretariat. Interns may nevertheless apply for any external vacancies.
Duration
Up to 10 months.
Remuneration and benefits
Interns under the programme receive a daily allowance of CHF 60 (including weekends and official holidays that occur within the selected periods). In addition, travel expenses (economy class air fare) to and from Geneva is covered by the WTO.
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.
Eligibility
A candidate must:
- be a national of a WTO member state or a country or customs territory engaged in accession negotiations
- be a national of a least-developed country (LDC) or developing country
- have completed his/her undergraduate studies in a relevant discipline (e.g. economics, law, political science, international relations), and have completed at least one year of his/her postgraduate studies
- be no older than 30.
How to apply
Interested candidates, who meet the above criteria, should complete two steps for their application to be considered:
Complete a general internship application form on the WTO external jobs platform
Send a separate email to [email protected] to indicate your interest in the China WTO Accessions Internship Programme, with a copy of the online application form attached to the e-mail.
There is no opening or closing date for applications. Internships may be offered at any time during the year. A maximum of five internship positions are available per year.
