For a small business in the Global South, whether it can export often comes down to policy written in rooms it never enters โ€” and the International Trade Centre exists to get the business perspective into those rooms. ITC is hiring an Associate Programme Officer for Trade and Investment Policy at the P-2 level in Geneva. At Youth Works Hub we surface international careers alongside youth opportunities, and this is a programme-management role at the agency whose motto is "Transforming trade. Changing lives."

Organisational Context

ITC's mandate is to enable trade-led economic development โ€” especially in the Global South โ€” helping small businesses reach their potential and strengthening ecosystems for long-term impact. This position sits in the Division of Market Development (DMD), in the Strategies and Policy for Trade and Investment (SPTI) Section. SPTI assists chambers of commerce and other business organisations in articulating business views so that trade and investment negotiations, national policies and regulatory reforms all reflect a well-informed business perspective; it helps policymakers factor that perspective into guidance documents, policies and legal and regulatory frameworks; and it helps trade and investment negotiators understand it. The focus of the job is to support the development, implementation and monitoring of designated projects.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, Trade and Investment Policy, and the overall supervision of the Senior Officer, the Associate Programme Officer will:

๐Ÿ“ˆ Assist work with key clients to develop, implement and evaluate assigned trade- and investment-policy programmes and projects; monitor and analyse aspects of programme/project development and implementation; review documents and reports; identify problems and recommend corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; and track follow-up actions;

๐Ÿ” Provide assistance for policy coordination and evaluation, including reviewing and analysing emerging issues and trends and participating in evaluations, research activities and studies;

๐Ÿค Assist in consulting assignments โ€” planning and facilitating workshops and helping develop the action plan the client will use to manage change;

๐Ÿ“ Assist in survey initiatives; help design regulatory reviews and assessments, analyse and interpret responses, identify problems and prepare preliminary conclusions;

๐Ÿ“„ Contribute to written outputs โ€” draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications;

๐Ÿ“… Provide administrative and substantive support to workshops, trainings, consultations and other meetings and conferences โ€” proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparing background documents and presentations, and handling logistics;

โœˆ๏ธ Participate in field missions, providing substantive and administrative support and data collection;

โž• Perform other duties as required.

Who Can Apply

๐ŸŽ“ Education: An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field such as international trade; a first-level degree in those fields with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted.

๐Ÿ’ผ Experience: A minimum of two years (four with a first-level degree) of relevant experience in project/programme management or a related area. Experience in trade and investment policy is desirable, as is experience implementing technical-assistance projects on competition law/policy in South-East Asia and in proposal design and project development for trade-related technical assistance.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Languages: English is required for this job opening.

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Also drawn to Switzerland? Take a look at the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships in ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Switzerland โ†’ https://youthworkshub.org/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-2027-2028

Competencies

The role calls for professionalism (advanced knowledge of trade and investment policy, ability to develop technical-assistance budgets and intervention plans, and strong analytical and research skills), teamwork, and planning and organising.

Good to Know

๐Ÿ“„ The appointment is limited to ITC. This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial period of one year (FTA-limited for project-related needs), extendable subject to funding up to four years. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion and gender parity, offers flexible working arrangements, and particularly encourages applications from women and from nationals of developing and least-developed countries. Note that the use of AI at any stage of the recruitment process is prohibited and may result in disqualification, and ITC does not charge any fee at any stage.

โšก Prefer a placement closer to industry and communications? Take a look at this Communications and Events Internship at a Renewable Energy Industry Alliance in ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช Belgium โ†’ https://youthworkshub.org/20520

Frequently Asked Questions

โ“ What level is this role? A P-2 fixed-term (FTA-limited) appointment at ITC in Geneva.

โ“ How much experience do I need? At least two years (four with a first-level degree) in project/programme management or a related area.

โ“ Is French required? No โ€” English is required for this opening.

โ“ Anything unusual to note? Yes โ€” using AI at any stage of the application is prohibited and may lead to disqualification.

Deadline

โณ 23 September 2026. Youth Works Hub flags time-sensitive international roles like this so you don't miss them.

How to Apply

๐Ÿ“ Apply online through the UN careers portal (inspira), carefully following all instructions.

Link

๐Ÿ”— https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/283503?language=en