About the WTO
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At their heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.
About the WTO Internship Programme
Applications are invited on a rolling basis for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Internship Programme for nationals of a WTO member state or a country or customs territory.
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 Law Economics 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 6 (six) months.
Remuneration
- Interns receive a daily allowance of CHF 60 [4,902.18 Indian Rupee] (including weekends 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.
Applications are welcome from women and men who are nationals of a WTO member state and under 65 years old. The list of members is available here.
Application procedure
Candidates should submit their applications through the WTO external jobs platform and only candidates selected for an 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.
Contact
If you experience a technical problem with the WTO external jobs platform, please contact [email protected]
