Internship in the Legal Affairs Division

WTO Secretariat; Schweiz; On-site; CHF 9,600 - 13,000; Full time

Job summary

The WTO Secretariat offers a six-month internship in the Legal Affairs Division in Geneva, Switzerland, starting in 2027. Interns work under a designated legal officer, supporting legal research, publications, training materials, and dispute settlement procedures while gaining exposure to WTO law and general public international law.

Eligibility includes a law degree with admission to practice, at least one year of postgraduate study, and fluency in English; knowledge of French or Spanish is an

Qualifications

• Must have completed undergraduate studies in a relevant discipline and be eligible for admission to practice law.
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills; knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and analysis on WTO law and general public international law.
• Support WTO dispute settlement panels with administrative, organizational, and logistical tasks.
• Contribute to publications, reports, and analyses relating to WTO law and dispute settlement.
• Assist in development and delivery of internal and external training materials on WTO law and dispute settlement procedures.
• Undertake independent legal research under supervision on treaty interpretation and procedural law.
• Collaborate with Division colleagues on projects and assignments across legal, analytical, and institutional activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Skills

English fluency

French/Spanish knowledge

Education

LL.B or JD and 1 year postgraduate studies

Job description

The WTO Secretariat maintains a limited internship programme for post-graduate university students wishing to gain practical experience and deeper knowledge of the multilateral trading system. Only a limited number of such internship posts is available.

The WTO Internship Programme is open to post-graduate students from all WTO members and countries or customs territories engaged in accession negotiations - WTO Internship Programme.

The WTO Secretariat is seeking to fill a six-month internship position in the Legal Affairs Division (start date in 2027).

Under the supervision of a designated legal officer, the intern will support the work of the Legal Affairs Division of the WTO across a range of substantive legal, research, analytical, and administrative activities.

The intern will work collaboratively with colleagues throughout the Division, contributing to different projects and assignments relating to WTO law, dispute settlement, and general public international law. The internship will provide exposure to the legal and institutional work of the WTO, including the provision of legal advice, the functioning of WTO dispute settlement mechanisms, and the preparation of legal research, publications, and training materials.

General Functions

Under the guidance and supervision of legal officers within the Division, the intern will:

• 1. Legal advice and analysis: Assist in the preparation of legal advice and analysis on substantive issues of WTO law and general public international law, including in the context of WTO dispute settlement proceedings.


• 2. Dispute settlement support: Provide administrative, organizational, and logistical support to WTO dispute settlement panels.


• 3. Publications and analytical work: Contribute to the preparation of WTO publications, statistical materials, reports, and analyses relating to WTO law, dispute settlement, and the work of the Division.


• 4. Training and capacity building: Assist in the development, preparation, and delivery of internal and external training activities, presentations, and educational materials on WTO law and dispute settlement procedures.


• 5. Legal research: Undertake independent legal research, under appropriate supervision, on a range of substantive and procedural legal issues, including treaty interpretation, procedural law, and questions of general public international law.


• 6. Collaboration and project support: Work with different colleagues within the Division on a variety of assignments and projects, contributing to the Division’s ongoing legal, analytical, and institutional activities.


• 7. Other duties: Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor, consistent with the work and functions of the Division.

Required Qualifications

A candidate must:

• not be a government official, unless the candidate resigns from his or her post;


• not be a law firm associate, unless the candidate resigns from his or her post;


• have done no prior internship with the WTO;


• not be related to anyone currently working at the WTO;


• hold a degree leading to admission to practice law (normally an LL.B or a JD); have at least one year of post-graduate studies; and have specific knowledge and/or experience of WTO Law.


• have effective spoken and written communication skills in English (fluency). Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is considered an asset.

RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR INTERNS

Eligibility:

A candidate must:

• be a national of a WTO member state or a country or customs territory engaged in accession negotiations


• have completed his/her undergraduate studies in a relevant discipline;

either:

• 
  
  
  
  • be currently enrolled in a master’s degree with at least one year completed; or
  
  
  • have completed a master’s degree programme and be enrolled in a higher-level postgraduate programme (including doctoral studies); or
  
  
  • have completed a postgraduate degree (master’s degree or PHD) within the past two years at the time of the selection; and
  
  
  
  


• be at least 21 years at the time of the internship.

Contractual Terms and Conditions:

An agreement will be established between the intern and the Director of the Human Resources Division, specifying the conditions of service and details of any remuneration.

Paid interns receive a daily allowance of CHF 60 (including weekends and official holidays falling within the selected period). No other remuneration of any kind shall be paid.

Internships take place in Geneva, Switzerland. Travel expenses to and from Geneva cannot be paid by the WTO, and such travel is not covered by the Organization’s insurance. Interns are responsible for their own insurance cover for illness and accidents for the duration of the internship.

Please be aware that the cost of living in Geneva is quite high, and the allowance provided is intended as a supplement. It is important to ensure you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your time in the area.

Internships are for a minimum of three months and up to a maximum of six months in total with no extension. It is not permissible to return to the programme at a later date after completing a full six-month internship programme, nor is it permissible to move from one programme to another following a six-month stint. An internship does not, in any way, entail the right to a vacancy in another part of the Secretariat. Interns may, nevertheless, apply to external vacancies.

While working at the WTO, interns are not considered as officials or staff members, however, they shall be bound by the same duties and obligations as regular staff members. Interns are expected to work full-time and to carry out the duties assigned to them by their supervisor.

On commencing the internship, and as applicable, depending on their nationality and any Swiss residence permit they may hold, interns may be issued with a Swiss legitimation card type “H” which serves as a work and residence permit for the duration of their internship. This link: FDFA legitimation cards, explains the responsibilities of holders of such a card and careful note should be taken of the information provided therein.

At the end of the internship, the Supervisor responsible for an intern will write an evaluation report, and the intern will also be required to evaluate the internship. Both evaluations will be placed on file.

An internship may be terminated by the WTO Secretariat or by the intern with one week’s notice.