Who are we?

The UK Mission in Geneva represents the interests and policies of the UK at many international organisations in Geneva and is recruiting a highly motivated and skilled Trade and Economic Intern. This is a full-time internship, for a period of 11 months.

The UK Mission in Geneva prioritises dignity and respect at work. We value respect, inclusiveness, empowerment, teamwork and kindness.

The UK Mission in Geneva is a busy and vibrant place to work at the heart of the multilateral landscape. The Mission represents the United Kingdom at 37 multilateral organisations based in Geneva, covering a range of issues including human rights, disarmament, health, humanitarian, migration, and trade and economic policy.

Are you ready to step into the world of international trade and economic policy and help shape future of the multilateral trading system?

The Trade and Economic team, which you will be a key part of, represents the UK in the WTO and other economic organisations in Geneva (e.g. UNCTAD, WIPO, UNECE, ITU) and is recruiting a highly motivated Trade and Economic Intern.

As our Trade and Economic Intern, you won’t just observe - you’ll contribute. You’ll support the UK delegation’s work at the World Trade Organisation and other economic agencies in Geneva, gaining first-hand experience of how international trade and economic policy is developed, negotiated and delivered. You will also have the opportunity see WTO and UN reform up close.

This internship is an opportunity to gain direct experience in providing policy, research, and administrative support to the Trade and Economic team at the UK Mission in Geneva. The internship combines meeting participation, analytical monitoring, and operational coordination. 

Roles and responsibilities

• Monitoring WTO and UN meetings, negotiations, press conferences, and events.
• Drafting clear, concise reports and circulating them to UK Government policy leads.
• Supporting the planning and delivery of trade-related events and high-level visits.
• Managing and triaging the Trade Team inbox, ensuring information reaches the right stakeholders.
• Providing general administrative support to keep the team running smoothly, including supporting on administration for regular visitors from London.
• Getting involved in corporate activities across the Mission (e.g. major events such as the King’s Birthday Party).

• Fluency in both oral and written English (minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*).
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, ideally in the field of Trade, International Development or International Relations.
• A demonstrated interest in global trade, international economics and geopolitics or similar.
• An open, co-operative attitude and positive team player, who enjoys collaboration and brings initiative and curiosity to work.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Experience drafting, writing, and/or reporting.
• IT literacy, comfortable with Microsoft Office (Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 
• Willingness to undergo a mandatory security check. 

• Prior relevant volunteering or work experience in the field of Trade, Diplomacy, or within the multilateral system.
• Knowledge of French or another UN language would be an asset.

All applicants should have permission to live and work in Switzerland.

Applicants that have the right to live and work in Geneva and don’t require a visa sponsorship are: Nationals from United Kingdom, European Union and EFTA, along with Nationals of: Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Principality of Andorra, Principality of Monaco, San Marino, Singapore and Vatican – these applicants are eligible to live and work in Switzerland as long as holding a full passport valid for at least 12 months. 

Where applicable, we encourage successful applicants (if from Europe or the UK) to obtain an Insurance Card (EHIC or GHIC) prior to entering Switzerland.

The Mission offers a contribution to the payment of travel insurance for the duration of internship, in place of Private Swiss Health Insurance that includes health & accident cover for all interns.

The final appointment and commencement of internship will be dependent upon successful security clearance.

Learning & Development: 

The UK Mission Geneva attaches great importance to the learning and development of its staff, with both formal and informal training and development opportunities available for all employees, in line with a personalised development plan. This learning and development offer is facilitated by the Mission’s L&D Committee, and supported by the L&D Champion. 

A supervisor will guide the intern and provide on-the-job training and evaluation. Most development opportunities will come through the flow of work and through exposure to the WTO and as an integral member of the Trade & Economic Team.

There is plenty of learning and development available in this role, with a generous annual allowance to invest in L&D. The calibre of colleagues and breadth of the mission means there is room for personal growth. You will also have the opportunity to understand and contribute to the corporate life of a busy diplomatic mission.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Interviews will be held remotely (TEAMS).

Please be advised that the UK Mission will not be able to support any cost during the Recruitment and Selection process, Security Check nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

Important: Please note that we only accept applications submitted through our FCDO CBS Vacancies page. You can access it via the link below https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/brand-2/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/4/pl/1/opp/27381-Trade-Economic-Intern-CHEG26-013211/en-GB