The World Trade Organization (WTO) has officially opened its doors to fresh talent through its highly coveted Internship Programme for 2025. This global opportunity is designed for postgraduate students from WTO member and observer countries who are eager to gain hands-on experience in international trade and policy-making at one of the world’s most influential economic institutions.
The WTO Internship Programme offers more than just a line on your résumé. Interns are assigned to divisions where they contribute to meaningful work, ranging from trade law and policy to statistics, economics, finance, human resources, information technology, communication, language services, and external relations. Each assignment is crafted to deepen the intern’s understanding of the WTO’s operations while developing professional skills in a dynamic, multicultural environment.
The internship runs for a maximum of six months. Participants receive a daily allowance of 60 Swiss Francs (CHF), which also covers weekends and public holidays. However, the WTO does not cover travel expenses to and from Geneva, nor does it provide health insurance, a mandatory requirement for interns in Switzerland. Applicants must arrange their own coverage before starting the program.
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Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, candidates must be nationals of a WTO member or an observer country currently engaged in accession negotiations. Applicants should have completed their undergraduate studies in a relevant field and must have completed at least one year of postgraduate education. Age limits are strictly enforced — applicants must be between 21 and 30 years old at the time of the internship.
Applications must be submitted through the WTO’s external jobs platform. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Once an application is submitted, it will be kept in the WTO internship roster for one year. Selections are made on a rolling basis throughout the year. Occasionally, specific internship vacancies requiring specialized qualifications may be posted on the WTO e-Recruitment portal.
This is your chance to work at the forefront of international trade and policy. Whether you’re aiming for a future in diplomacy, economics, or global governance, the WTO Internship Programme can be your springboard.
