Program Overview
The WTO Secretariat offers three internship programmes for post‑graduate students and recent graduates with an advanced university degree. Only a limited number of placements are available and selections are based on merit, eligibility criteria, academic qualifications, and expertise.
1. The WTO Internship Programme: open to post‑graduate students and recent graduates with an advanced university degree from all WTO members and countries or customs territories engaged in accession negotiations.
2. China’s LDCs, Accessions and General Internship Programme: up to ten internships offered under this programme annually; reserved for post‑graduate students or recent graduates with an advanced university degree from developing countries and least developed countries.
3. WTO Support Programme for Doctoral Studies: reserved for post‑graduate students from developing countries and least developed countries who are working on their Ph.D. thesis.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Must be a national of a WTO member state or a country or customs territory engaged in accession negotiations.
2. Have completed undergraduate studies in a relevant discipline.
3. Either:
o Currently enrolled in a master’s degree with at least one year completed; or
o Have completed a master’s degree programme and be enrolled in a higher‑level postgraduate programme (including doctoral studies); or
o Have completed a postgraduate degree (master’s or Ph.D.) within the past two years at the time of selection.
4. Be at least 21 years old at the time of the internship (no older than 30 years old for the China WTO Accessions Internship Programme and China General Internship Programme).
Responsibilities
* Work full‑time while on assignment.
* Carry out the duties assigned by the supervisor.
* Fulfil the same duties and obligations as regular staff members, although interns are not considered officials or staff.
* Submit an evaluation of the internship at the end of the placement, and receive an evaluation from the supervisor.
Compensation and Benefits
* Paid interns receive a daily allowance of CHF 60 (including weekends and official holidays) for most programmes.
* Interns in the China LDCs, Accessions and General Internship Programme receive a daily allowance of CHF 90.
* Internships take place in Geneva, Switzerland.
* Travel expenses to and from Geneva are not paid by the WTO, except for the China LDCs, Accessions and General Internship Programme and the WTO Support Programme for Doctoral Studies.
* Interns are responsible for their own insurance cover for illness and accidents during the internship.
* Allowances are intended as a supplement; interns must ensure they have sufficient financial resources.
Contractual Terms
* Internships have a minimum duration of three months and a maximum of six months; extensions are not permitted.
* Internships may be split between two Divisions (no less than three months in each Division), but cannot be consecutive; they may commence at any time during the year based on divisional needs.
* Returning to the programme after completing a full six‑month internship or moving from one programme to another after a six‑month stint is not allowed.
* Internship does not entitle the intern to a future vacancy in another part of the Secretariat; interns may apply to external vacancies.
* Terminations may occur by the WTO Secretariat or the intern with one week’s notice.
* Interns may be issued a Swiss legitimation card type "H" (work and residence permit) depending on nationality and residence permits.
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