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The World Trade Organization is accepting applications to its internship roster under requisition JR103985. The general programme gives postgraduate students and recent advanced-degree graduates experience of the multilateral trading system and the Secretariat’s work.
Organization: World Trade Organization
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Deadline: 31 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. Geneva time
Working pattern: Full-time
Duration: Three to six months under the current recruitment notice
Assignments and responsibilities
The host division determines the work. Areas include trade law, economics, statistics, trade policy, languages, procurement, finance, human resources, communications, external relations and information management. Interns carry out their supervisor’s assignments while learning how the WTO and international trade policy operate.
Who can apply?
- Be a national of a WTO member or a country/customs territory negotiating accession.
- Be at least 21 when the internship begins.
- Hold a relevant undergraduate degree and satisfy one postgraduate route: a current master’s with at least one year completed; a completed master’s plus enrolment in higher postgraduate study; or a master’s/PhD completed within two years at selection.
Allowance and costs
General-programme interns receive CHF 60 daily, including weekends and official holidays within the placement. Travel to and from Geneva and accommodation are self-funded. Interns arrange health and accident insurance and need resources beyond the allowance to meet Geneva living costs. Leave accrues at 2.5 days per month and requires approval.
Duration and internship conditions
Placements start according to divisional needs. The current notice sets a three-month minimum and six-month total maximum, without extension. A placement can be split between two divisions, with at least three months in each and no more than six months overall.
After completing six months, participants cannot return for another internship or switch internship programmes. Interns follow staff duties and obligations but are not staff members. Where applicable, a Swiss type-H legitimation card provides residence/work authorization for the placement. Both intern and supervisor complete evaluations. Either side may end the internship with one week’s notice.
Application and selection
Apply through the official WTO recruitment portal. Suitable applications stay on the roster for one year and can be considered for planned placements or short-notice assignments. Selection considers qualifications, expertise, eligibility and merit; applicants under serious consideration are contacted.
The same recruitment notice also references the separately governed China-supported programme. Its eligibility, allowance and travel arrangements differ. This article describes the general WTO internship route.
How to apply
Open Intern — JR103985 and choose Apply. Complete the online information and requested documents, and follow the WTO’s assessment-integrity instructions.
Official general programme information · WTO internship FAQs
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