World Trade Organization Internship Programme in Geneva, Switzerland

As part of the internship programm

Assignments given to interns are intended to enhance interns’ knowledge and
understanding of the WTO and of trade policy more generally. However, the
needs of the Division recruiting an intern will be paramount in determining
the precise nature of assignments.

Interns are recruited from among nationals of WTO Members state.

Interns will have completed their undergraduate studies in a relevant discipline
(e.g. economics, law, political science, international relations), and shall
have completed at least one year of their postgraduate studies.

The minimum age for an intern shall be 21 years and the maximum age 30 years.

A roster of suitable candidates is maintained from which interns are
selected. In addition to the regular internship programme, the need may also
arise to recruit interns at short notice for particular tasks. These recruits
will also be drawn from the roster. Names will not be maintained on the
roster for longer than one year.

Paid interns receive a daily allowance of CHF 60 (including week-ends and
official holidays falling within the selected period). No other remuneration
of any kind shall be paid.

Internships take place in Geneva, Switzerland only. Travel expenses to and
from Geneva cannot be paid by the WTO, and such travel is not covered by the
Organization’s insurance. Interns are also responsible for their own
insurance cover for illness and accidents while they are working at the WTO.

The WTO may also employ unpaid interns funded from external sources.

Internships are generally of a duration of up to 24 weeks, the length of the
internship depending on the project the interns is requested to work on, and
on the needs of each Division. The granting of an internship does not entail
in any way the right to an extension thereof nor to a vacancy in another part
of the Secretariat. Interns may nevertheless apply to external vacancies. Internships
can start at any time during the year.

An internship can be terminated by the WTO Secretariat or by the intern with
one week’s notice.

The Director responsible for an intern will write an evaluation report at the
end of the internship, and the intern will also be required to evaluate the
internship. Both evaluations will be placed on file.

An agreement will be established between the intern and the Director of the
Human Resources Division, specifying the conditions of service and details of
any remuneration.

Interns are treated like secretariat staff members during their stay insofar
as their obligations, in particular with regard to confidentiality.