The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is offering an unpaid, full-time, on-site six-month internship at its Geneva headquarters, under vacancy notice no. 2442, as Junior Project Officer (Programme and Agenda) for the WSIS Forum 2027. The internship runs from 18 January to 16 July and requires no prior experience. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy and set out every detail below.
About ITU and the Department
The International Telecommunication Union is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems.
The internship sits in the General Secretariat, within the Strategic Planning and Membership Department (SPM). The General Secretariat directs the administrative, human and financial resources and activities of the Union, coordinates the implementation of the Strategic Plan and provides logistical and information technology support to ITU activities, including conferences and global forums. SPM advises the Secretary-General on strategic challenges, organises and provides secretariat services to the Plenipotentiary Conference, Council and other meetings, and provides expert advice on communication and promotion strategies for the Union's corporate communication plan.
ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment and is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.
What You Will Do
Under the supervision of the designated officer, you will contribute to building an engaging WSIS Forum 2027 programme that connects ideas, people and practical solutions for inclusive digital development.
🗣️ Support the WSIS Forum 2027 Open Consultation Process (OCP), helping gather and organize stakeholder inputs that shape the Forum programme
🔍 Review and analyse OCP submissions and proposals to identify relevant themes, speakers and sessions across the WSIS Action Lines, taking into account emerging digital trends and development priorities
📞 Liaise with stakeholders and participants and follow up on programme-related information to support effective coordination and preparation
📝 Contribute to the preparation of concept notes, session outlines, speaker briefs and thematic summaries for Forum tracks and special sessions
🤖 Research emerging digital trends and priorities, including artificial intelligence, digital inclusion and the impact of digital technologies on women and girls, and contribute to thematic tracks and special sessions
🎙️ Assist in drafting speeches, talking points, key messages and briefing materials for speakers and high-level participants, ensuring alignment with WSIS priorities and the objectives of the relevant sessions
📄 Prepare and format programme documents, summaries, briefs and other materials, ensuring that information is clear, accurate and accessible
📊 Support the development of visual and digital communication materials, including charts, infographics, data visualizations and online content for websites and social media platforms
📚 Contribute to post-Forum follow-up, including outcome summaries and publications capturing key discussions, emerging trends and recommendations
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Competencies
🧰 Good knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office applications, with proficiency in Excel
⏰ Excellent organizational skills and time management abilities
🧠 Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify, analyze and resolve issues effectively and efficiently
💬 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, private sector, civil society and academia
🌐 Ability to work effectively in an international and multicultural environment
Qualifications
🎓 Education: university degree in telecommunications, development studies, international relations, business administration, communications, public relations, economics or a related field
📖 Language: excellent knowledge of English for conducting research and producing documents (drafting and editing)
🇫🇷 Advantage: knowledge of a second ITU official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish)
Who Is Eligible
ITU sets three requirements for every internship:
🎂 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
Financial Terms
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.
Not sure how an internship differs from other programmes? Read our guide on fellowship vs internship vs traineeship →
Recruitment Process
All candidates must complete an online application and provide complete and accurate information through the ITU Careers website. Evaluation is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference and e-mail correspondence for the assessment of candidates. Only selected candidates will be further contacted, and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
Application Warnings
⚠️ Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account (not @itu.int) should be disregarded
✅ ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process
Explore more placements in the Internship section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ITU WSIS Forum 2027 internship based?
The internship is based at ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It is a full-time, on-site position.
How long is the internship?
It lasts six months, from 18 January to 16 July.
Is the ITU internship paid?
No. It is an unpaid internship. Medical insurance, travel, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
Who can apply?
Candidates under 30 years of age (exceptions may be considered for Ph.D. candidates) who are enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate programme or graduated within six months before the start of the internship, and who are citizens of an ITU Member State.
Do I need work experience?
No. The vacancy states that no experience is required.
What does the Programme and Agenda role cover?
The role supports the WSIS Forum 2027 Open Consultation Process, the review of submissions, programme documents, speaker briefs, communication materials and post-Forum follow-up.
Deadline
⏳ 16 November 2026 (midnight Geneva time)
Link
🔗 Apply on ITU Careers: https://jobs.itu.int/job/Geneva-Unpaid-Internship-WSIS-Forum-2027-Junior-Project-Officer-%28Programme-and-Agenda%29/1373344555/
