The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is offering a 6-month internship as Junior Project Officer (Event Operations and Exhibition) for the WSIS Forum 2027, full-time and on-site at ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from 18 January to 16 July 2027. No experience is required: you need a relevant university degree, excellent English and to be under 30, and applications close at midnight Geneva time on 17 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy notice and set out every detail below.
Internship Facts
📌 Vacancy notice no: 2440
🏛️ Sector: SG (General Secretariat)
🏢 Department: SPM (Strategic Planning and Membership Department)
🇨🇭 Country of contract: Switzerland
📍 Duty station: Geneva
📄 Type of contract: Internship
⏱️ Duration of contract: 6 months
🔓 Recruitment open to: External
What the ITU General Secretariat Does
The General Secretariat directs the administrative, human and financial resources and activities of the Union. Its work includes:
📜 Implementing the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions.
📡 Disseminating information on telecommunication/ICT matters for operational and other purposes.
⚖️ Providing legal advice to the whole of the Union.
🧭 Coordinating the implementation of the Strategic Plan, monitoring the telecommunication/ICT environment and recommending action on the Union's future policies and strategy.
🧩 Ensuring inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation to advance a whole of ITU approach (One-ITU) in headquarters and the field.
🖥️ Providing logistical and information technology support to the Union's activities, including conferences and global forums.
🌐 Coordinating the work of the Union with the United Nations system and other international organizations.
🤝 Engaging Member States, Sector Members and Academia.
📣 Managing corporate governance, strategic communications and relations with the media, stakeholder groups and the general public.
The Strategic Planning and Membership Department (SPM)
Within the General Secretariat, SPM advises the Secretary-General on strategic challenges and their implications for the Union in the fast evolving telecommunications/ICT environment. The department:
💡 Develops forward-looking strategic proposals to the ITU management team, so the organization meets the objectives assigned by the membership.
🗓️ Plans and coordinates corporate and strategic activities in line with membership objectives.
🏟️ Organizes and provides secretariat services to the Plenipotentiary Conference, Council and other meetings, aiming for a high level of involvement from Member States and Sector Members.
🫱 Develops and maintains sound relations with Member States, Sector Members, other entities, the UN and other international organizations.
📢 Provides expert advice on communication and promotion strategies and develops and implements the Union's corporate communication plan with the three Sectors, promoting ITU leadership in telecommunications and ICT.
Your Mission at the WSIS Forum 2027
The goal of this internship is to help turn the WSIS Forum 2027 into an engaging, welcoming and well-connected experience for participants from around the world. You will work under the supervision of the designated officer.
Exhibition Planning Tasks
🏗️ Support the planning and coordination of exhibition spaces for the WSIS Forum 2027, liaising with exhibitors and partners on requirements, layouts, branding and practical arrangements.
📐 Assist in preparing exhibition floor plans, mock-ups and visual layouts that make effective use of the available space.
🏆 Help coordinate exhibitions linked to the WSIS Forum 2027 contests (photo contest exhibition, WSIS Prizes and more), showcasing the creativity and impact of digital for development initiatives.
🥽 Support the presentation of innovative technologies and interactive experiences, including relevant applications of virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
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Event Operations and Participant Experience
🎉 Assist in the coordination of social events of the WSIS Forum 2027.
💻 Assist with participant-facing logistics and digital tools, including virtual conferencing and networking platforms, to help create a smooth event experience.
🗂️ Coordinate operational details for WSIS-related events and activities, keeping information organized and ensuring timely follow-up with colleagues and stakeholders.
Competencies ITU Is Looking For
⏰ Excellent organization and time management skills.
🗣️ Ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, including Governments, Private Sector, Civil Society and Academic Institutions.
✈️ Ability to work in an international environment.
⭐ Experience in organizing events and exhibitions will be an advantage.
Education and Experience
🎓 A university degree in event management, hospitality management, business administration, development studies, international relations, communications, public relations, tourism management or a related field.
🌱 No experience required.
Language Requirements
🇬🇧 Excellent knowledge of English is required.
🔤 Knowledge of a second ITU official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) would be an advantage.
ITU Internship Eligibility
To be eligible for an internship at ITU, candidates must:
🎂 Be under 30 years of age (exceptions may be considered for candidates pursuing a Ph.D.).
📚 Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate programme, or be a recent graduate (within six months prior to the start of the internship).
🪪 Be a citizen of a Member State of ITU.
Dates and Working Arrangements
📅 Duration of internship: 18 January to 16 July 2027 (6 months).
🕘 Full-time.
🧳 On-site at ITU HQ.
Costs the Intern Covers
This is an unpaid internship. A non-remunerated internship at ITU does not carry the same conditions of employment as a short-term or fixed-term position. Medical insurance, travel, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
How to Apply
All candidates must complete an online application on the ITU Careers website and provide complete and accurate information.
Evaluation and Selection
🧪 Candidates are evaluated on the criteria in the vacancy notice, which may include tests and/or assessments.
🎙️ The process may also include a competency-based interview.
📹 ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference and e-mail correspondence to assess and evaluate candidates.
📬 Only selected candidates will be contacted further.
🔍 Candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
Stay Safe From Fraud
⚠️ Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account (@itu.int) should be disregarded.
🚫 ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Find more Internships on Youth Works Hub →
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the ITU WSIS Forum 2027 Event Operations and Exhibition internship take place?
The internship runs from 18 January to 16 July 2027, for 6 months. It is full-time and on-site at ITU headquarters in Geneva.
Is this ITU internship paid?
No. It is an unpaid internship, and medical insurance, travel, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
Do I need previous work experience?
No experience is required. Experience in organizing events and exhibitions is an advantage but not a condition.
What will I work on during the internship?
You will support exhibition spaces, floor plans and contest exhibitions such as the WSIS Prizes, help present technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, and assist with social events, participant logistics and digital event tools.
Who can apply?
You must be under 30 (exceptions may be considered for Ph.D. candidates), be enrolled in a university programme or have graduated within six months before the internship starts, and be a citizen of an ITU Member State.
Which degree fits this role?
ITU lists degrees in event management, hospitality management, business administration, development studies, international relations, communications, public relations, tourism management or a related field.
Which languages are required?
Excellent English is required. A second ITU official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an advantage.
What time does the application close?
Applications close at midnight Geneva time on 17 November 2026.
Deadline
⏳ 17 November 2026
Link
🔗 Apply on the ITU Careers website: https://jobs.itu.int/job/Geneva-Unpaid-Internship-WSIS-Forum-2027-Junior-Project-Officer-%28Event-Operations-and-Exhibition%29/1373492655/
