Intern

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat offers a limited number of paid internships for post‑graduate students and recent graduates who hold an advanced university degree. The programmes, the general WTO Internship, the China LDCs, Accessions and General Internship, and the WTO Support Programme for Doctoral Studies, are designed to give participants practical exposure to the multilateral trading system while contributing to the work of a secretariat that employs more than 600 staff from around 80 member countries. Interns are expected to work full‑time in Geneva, Switzerland, and to perform the tasks assigned by their supervisor. Depending on the needs of the Division, an internship may be carried out in a single unit or split between two divisions, with a minimum of three months in each assignment and a total duration of three to six months. Interns are bound by the same duties and obligations as regular staff, must adhere to the work schedule, and will be evaluated by their supervisor at the end of the placement. They also complete a self‑evaluation, which is filed together with the supervisor's report. Eligibility is strictly defined. Candidates must be nationals of a WTO member state or of a customs territory that is currently engaged in accession negotiations. They must have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and be either enrolled in a master's programme with at least one year completed, or have finished a master's degree and be enrolled in a higher‑level postgraduate programme (including doctoral studies), or have obtained a postgraduate degree (master's or PhD) within the two years preceding selection. Applicants must be at least 21 years old; for the China‑focused internships the upper age limit is 30 years. Interns must be able to work full‑time and must arrange their own health and accident insurance for the internship period. The placement is based in Geneva, a city with a high cost of living, and provides a daily allowance of CHF 60 (CHF 90 for interns in the China LDCs, Accessions and General programme). Travel costs to and from Geneva are not reimbursed, except for the China LDCs and the Doctoral Support Programme. Interns receive a Swiss "H" legitimation card, which serves as a work and residence permit for the duration of the assignment. The internship does not guarantee a subsequent vacancy within the WTO, but former interns are free to apply for external positions. What the role asks for: - National of a WTO member state or accession territory - Completed undergraduate degree in a relevant field - Currently enrolled in a master's programme with ≥1 year completed - Completed master's degree and enrolled in higher‑level postgraduate programme - Completed postgraduate degree (master's or PhD) within past two years - Minimum age 21 years - Maximum age 30 years for China internship programmes - Ability to work full‑time during internship - Possess personal health and accident insurance for the period - Nice‑to‑have: Ability to obtain Swiss legitimation card type "H"