The WTO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a prestigious, paid international opportunity in Europe, managed and funded by the World Trade Organization. It offers young professionals from WTO Members with limited representation in the Secretariat a chance to deepen their knowledge of the WTO and global trade. The programme aims to build capacity and provide participants with practical experience, enhancing their career prospects in international organizations and trade-related institutions.
Based on their areas of interest and the needs of the WTO Secretariat, selected young professionals will be placed in specific divisions. During this one-year paid opportunity in Switzerland, they will engage in real-time projects and organizational activities. With nearly 600 staff from over 80 countries, the WTO offers a truly diverse and inclusive work environment at its headquarters, located near Lake Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland—a global hub for diplomacy and trade.
Participants may work in various trade-related areas, including Accessions, Agriculture, Climate Change, Competition Policy, Trade Negotiations, Digital Trade, Dispute Settlement, Technical Barriers to Trade, Intellectual Property, Trade and Gender, and more. The programme offers hands-on involvement in critical issues shaping global trade. Applicants can indicate up to three preferred areas of interest, which will help determine their division placement within the WTO Secretariat based on alignment with organizational priorities.
The WTO’s recruitment for this programme reflects its goal of maintaining high standards of competence, integrity, and inclusiveness. As an equal opportunity employer, the WTO encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, background, or other characteristics. Preference is given to nationals from developing and least-developed countries with no or low professional representation at the WTO. This opportunity is ideal for those passionate about making global trade fair, inclusive, and transparent.
WTO Young Professionals Program in Switzerland:
Host Country:
•Switzerland
Host Organization:
•WTO (World Trade Organization)
Program Location:
•WTO Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland
Program Duration:
•1 year
Benefits of the WTO Young Professionals Program in Switzerland:
•Participants will receive a salary of CHF 4,000 per month for one whole year.
•Medical allowance will be provided.
•Travel costs will be covered by the host organization.
•Opportunity to work in Europe for one year along with earning your own money.
Eligibility Criteria for Young Professionals Program:
•Applicants applying must:
•Must be from a country that is a member of WTO.
•Be up to 32 years of age till 1st January (not older than 32 years).
•Have a university degree before applying.
•Have educational background in economics, econometrics, international relations, law, environment studies, or subjects related to trade.
•Have a minimum of 2 years of experience in WTO.
•Be fluent in the English language.
List of Eligible Countries for WTO YPP:
Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Pluractional State of Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong China, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao China, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Chinese Taipei, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Documents Required for the Young Professionals Program:
•Motivation letter.
•Updated CV.
•Valid Passport.
