If you are an economics, trade, or law student keen to gain experience at the United Nations, this UNCTAD internship offers a valuable opportunity, available in person in Geneva or remotely. Within the Trade in Services Section, you will support research, analysis, and events on services trade data and policy, contributing to UNCTAD's work on trade and development.
About the Role
These internship positions are located at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in the Trade in Services Section, Trading Systems, Services and Creative Economy Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities (DITC). The internships tentatively start on 17 August 2026 for six months, and are offered on an in-person basis in Geneva or remotely, depending on the candidate's availability.
Daily responsibilities depend on your background and the period of the internship. Typically, you will:
📝 Attend meetings and prepare summary reports
📣 Support communication and outreach activities related to the work programme
🎪 Provide assistance in the organisation and servicing of webinars, round tables, and seminars
📄 Assist in providing inputs to documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects
📊 Draft inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on services trade data and services trade policy
📈 Assist in preparing inputs for presentations by team members, and perform other related duties as required
Training and mentoring will be provided throughout by the supervisor(s) and team.
Remote Working Requirements
To work remotely, you must have full access to a computer with a modern browser capable of running the latest Office 365 applications, with basic IT security best practices in place, including:
💻 The latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, with software and security updates installed promptly
🔒 The built-in software firewall enabled
🔑 A password manager enabled for strong passwords and secure access to UNCTAD/UN resources
Who Can Apply
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, you should:
📊 Hold a university degree in economics, statistics, international trade, trade law, development, political science, or another relevant social science
💻 Be computer literate in standard software applications; knowledge of Excel is desirable, and Power BI, Stata, or R is an advantage
🌍 Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a 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.
Languages
🗣️ Fluency in oral and written English is required; knowledge of another UN language is desirable
Assessment
Candidates will be assessed based on their Personal History Profiles (PHP), and individual interviews may be conducted. A complete online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. The Cover Note must include the title of your degree, your graduation date, a list of IT skills and programmes you are proficient in, and an explanation of why you are the best candidate.
The Details
📍 Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland (in-person or remote)
📆 Duration: six months, tentatively from 17 August 2026 to 16 February 2027
🕒 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 280198. Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.
Deadline
12 July 2026
