The WTO Young Professionals Program (YPP) is now open for applications and the Secretariat of the WTO is in search of qualified candidates. The WTO aims to hire individuals who exhibit a high level of competence, efficiency, and integrity.
The organization values diversity and ensures that merit is given full consideration in its recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the WTO provides equal opportunities to all candidates.
About the WTO Young Professionals Program
The WTO Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young professionals aged 32 years and below from WTO Members who are underrepresented or not represented at all in the WTO Secretariat. This program provides a chance for participants to boost their knowledge and skills in WTO and international trade issues. The primary objective of the YPP is to expand the number of professionals from these WTO Members, who will later have better chances for recruitment in the WTO and other international and regional organizations.
To apply for the YPP, interested candidates must submit a cover letter of motivation along with their application. The letter should indicate their top three preferred areas of work (listed under general functions). Applications submitted without a cover letter of motivation will not be considered.
WTO Young Professionals Program Benefits
The Young Professionals Program provides a host of benefits to successful applicants. Those selected will have the chance to gain valuable work experience with the WTO. Moreover, they will be entitled to a monthly salary of up to CHF 4,000.
Areas of Work
The following is a list, in alphabetical order, of the areas of work that the WTO Young Professionals Program offers:
- Accessions
- Agriculture
- Climate change
- Communications
- Council and Trade Negotiations
- Digital Trade
- Dispute Settlement
- Economic Research and Statistics
- External relations
- Government Procurement
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Investment Facilitation for Development
- Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Market Access (tariffs and non-tariff barriers)
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures
- Technical Barriers to Trade
- Trade and Development
- Trade and Environment
- Trade Facilitation
- Trade Finance
- Trade and Gender
- Trade in Services and Investment
- Trade Policy Analysis
- Trade-Related Technical Assistance
- Trade Remedies (anti-dumping and countervailing duties)
Requirements for WTO Young Professionals Program
To be eligible for the WTO Young Professionals Program (YPP), candidates must possess the following qualifications:
- An advanced degree from a university in a relevant field such as economics, international relations, law, or environmental studies, by the time of application submission.
- General knowledge of the WTO’s work and technical expertise in one or more of the specified areas of work listed above.
- Strong English drafting skills, with fluency in English and a working knowledge of French or Spanish as an added advantage.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
- A minimum of two years of professional experience in fields related to WTO work.
- A strong interest in international trade and the multilateral trading system, as well as a commitment to work related to trade or the WTO.
- Preference will be given to individuals from WTO Members who are currently underrepresented or have no representation in the WTO Secretariat, as well as developing and least developed countries (LDCs) with low representation (one or two staff members) at the professional level in the Secretariat.
- Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Please note that the WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconferencing during the assessment and evaluation process. Additionally, the recruitment process may involve the use of testing, assessment centers, interviews, and reference checks.
How to Apply for WTO Young Professionals Program
To apply for the WTO Young Professionals Program, interested individuals must include a cover letter of motivation with their application.
The letter should highlight up to three preferred areas of work, listed in order of priority. Please note that applications lacking a cover letter of motivation will not be reviewed for consideration.