The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is offering a six-month internship as Junior Project Officer (WSIS Stocktaking and Case Studies) for the WSIS Forum 2027 at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The full-time, on-site internship runs from 18 January to 16 July 2027, no work experience is required, and applications close on 17 November 2026 (midnight Geneva time). At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy notice and listed every task, requirement and condition below.
Vacancy Notice Details
🔢 Vacancy notice no: 2444
🏛️ 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
📆 Application deadline: 17 November 2026 (midnight Geneva time)
Internship Dates and Format
🗓️ Internship duration: 18 January to 16 July 2027
🕘 Working time: Full-time
🏢 Workplace: On-site at ITU HQ
💼 Remuneration: Unpaid internship
The General Secretariat of ITU
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) at headquarters and in the field
🖥️ Providing logistical and information technology support to the Union's activities, including conferences and global forums
🤝 Coordinating the Union's work with the United Nations system and other international organizations, and engaging Member States, Sector Members and Academia
📣 Managing corporate governance, strategic communications and relations with the media, different stakeholder groups and the general public
Inside the Strategic Planning and Membership Department
Within the General Secretariat, the Strategic Planning and Membership Department (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 for the ITU management team, so that 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 and 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 in cooperation with the three Sectors, promoting ITU leadership in telecommunications and ICT
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What You Will Do on WSIS Stocktaking
Discover the digital initiatives making a difference around the world and help share their lessons with a global audience. This role connects research, data and storytelling to show how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are contributing to sustainable development. Under the supervision of the designated officer, the intern will:
🗄️ Support the maintenance and development of the WSIS Stocktaking database, helping keep project information accurate, organized and useful to stakeholders
📝 Research, draft and edit Stocktaking reports, case studies, presentations and other knowledge products that highlight implementation of the WSIS Action Lines
🗂️ Help curate thematic collections and repositories on the WSIS Stocktaking Platform, including initiatives related to women and girls in digital, healthy ageing and other development priorities
🏆 Identify and document success stories from countries and communities, showing how digital initiatives address real needs and deliver results
📊 Help develop dashboards and key performance indicators to explore entries by year, region, Action Line and stakeholder group, as well as links to the SDGs and trends over time
📖 Prepare concise storytelling briefs that highlight promising projects, regional trends, lessons learned and opportunities to replicate successful approaches
🎪 Support WSIS-related events and outreach that promote Stocktaking resources and encourage stakeholders to share their initiatives
Competencies ITU Is Looking For
⏰ Excellent organization and time management skills
🔎 Excellent research and editing skills
💻 Excellent computer skills, including promotion through social media
🗣️ Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, including Government, Private Sector, Civil Society and Academic Institutions
🌐 Ability to work in an international environment
📚 Experience in drafting publications is an advantage
Education and Experience
🎓 Education: University degree in communications, development studies, international relations, business administration, data science, public relations, economics, political science, sociology or a related field
🌱 Experience: No experience required
Language Requirements
🇬🇧 Excellent knowledge of English for conducting research and producing documents (drafting and editing)
🔤 Knowledge of a second ITU official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an advantage
ITU Internship Eligibility Rules
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
Costs Covered by the Intern
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. If you are still comparing options, our guide on how internships differ from traineeships and fellowships explains what each involves.
How the Recruitment Process Works
💻 All candidates must complete an online application on the ITU Careers website and provide complete and accurate information
📋 Candidates are evaluated against the criteria in the vacancy notice
🧪 The evaluation 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 to assess candidates
📬 Only selected candidates will be contacted further
✅ Candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information they provided
Stay Safe: Fraud Warnings From ITU
🛡️ Messages originating from a non-ITU e-mail account (anything other than @itu.int) should be disregarded
🚫 ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process
Find more internships at international organizations in the Internship section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this ITU WSIS Forum 2027 internship paid?
No. This is an unpaid internship. Medical insurance, travel, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
When does the internship take place?
The internship runs full-time from 18 January to 16 July 2027.
Can the internship be done remotely?
No. The vacancy notice states that the internship is on-site at ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Do I need work experience to apply?
No work experience is required. You need a university degree in communications, development studies, international relations, business administration, data science, public relations, economics, political science, sociology or a related field.
What is the age limit for ITU internships?
Candidates must be under 30 years of age. Exceptions may be considered for candidates pursuing a Ph.D.
Who is eligible for an ITU internship?
You must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate programme, or have graduated within six months before the internship starts, and you must be a citizen of an ITU Member State.
What will the intern work on?
The intern supports the WSIS Stocktaking database, drafts and edits reports and case studies on WSIS Action Lines implementation, curates thematic collections, documents success stories and helps build dashboards and key performance indicators.
Is experience in drafting publications required?
No. Experience in drafting publications is an advantage, but no work experience is required.
Which languages are required?
Excellent English is required. A second ITU official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an advantage.
Deadline
⏳ 17 November 2026
