If you are passionate about digital development, trade, and women's economic empowerment, this UNCTAD internship in Geneva offers meaningful experience at the United Nations. Within the eTrade Initiatives Section, you will support analysis and technical assistance projects aimed at building inclusive digital economies and empowering women digital entrepreneurs, especially from the Global South.
About the Role
This position is located in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Division on Technology and Logistics, E-Commerce and Digital Economy Branch, eTrade Initiatives Section. The Section aims to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for all economies by turning digital opportunities into development gains, including for women.
The focus of this internship is to assist the Section in undertaking analysis and organising related technical assistance projects on inclusive digital economies and female digital entrepreneurship. Training and mentoring will be provided throughout by the supervisor(s) and the team.
Responsibilities
👩💻 Assist with the planning and organisation of capacity-building initiatives empowering women digital entrepreneurs from the Global South, including supporting communication with stakeholders and preparing background documentation
✍️ Draft inputs for analytical studies, policy briefs, and presentations on women and digital entrepreneurship
🎪 Assist with the organisation of a Workshop on Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in E-commerce and Digital Businesses in October and November in China
📊 Provide substantive support for the preparation of relevant documents, such as presentations and project documents
📝 Assist with proofreading, editing, and translating documents and reports for various stakeholders (participants, counterparts, media, businesses, and universities)
🤝 Assist in the organisation and servicing of briefings and meetings
📱 Assist in preparing communication materials for planned activities, such as news items, web content, and social media posts
🇨🇳 Assist in communicating with workshop participants and relevant Chinese stakeholders, and support other activities of the Section as required
Who Can Apply
The UN internship programme is intended to expose students or recent graduates to the United Nations. At the time of application, you must meet one of the following:
🎓 Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or
🎓 Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent)
In addition, interns should:
💻 Be computer literate in standard software applications
🌍 Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
🤝 Have a demonstrated ability to interact successfully with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs
No prior working experience is required, but a field of study closely related to the internship is required.
Languages
🗣️ Fluency in spoken and written English and Chinese is required; knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage
The Details
📍 Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland (in-person)
📆 Duration: four months, from 3 August 2026 to 2 December 2026
🕒 Type: unpaid, full-time (five days, 40 hours per week)
💶 Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. All costs of travel, accommodation, medical insurance, and living expenses must be covered by the intern.
🛂 For in-person internships, interns must have a valid visa; those who are not citizens or permanent residents of Switzerland may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorisation
How to Apply
Apply through the UN careers portal, quoting job opening ID 279539. You will need to indicate which eligibility criterion you meet and attach proof, and provide an official certificate at a later stage.
Deadline
09 July 2026
