Internship Programs

ITC Internships

Unpaid Internships

The ITC Internship Program is a good opportunity for those who are interested in development and international trade to have a greater understanding of the agency’s work and mission, gaining practical experience in issues related to technical assistance and global commerce. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in the area and to develop personally and professionally. Another benefit of interning at ITC is the possibility of networking in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

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ITC Overview

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, which aims to promote the development of the private sector. Headquartered in Geneva (Switzerland), ITC is the only multilateral agency that fully supports the internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). In addition, the agency seeks to connect enterprises in underdeveloped countries to value chains, generating sustainable global markets. The agency has been operating for 50 years with SMEs, increasing the competitiveness and integration of these ventures on a global scale.

ITC’s main focus: Promoting the development of the global private sector, mainly through the internationalization and integration of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Themes addressed by the ITC:

Providing Trade and Market Intelligence;
Building a Conducive Business Environment;
Strengthening Trade and Investment Support Institutions;
Connecting to International Value Chains;
Promoting and Mainstreaming Inclusive and Green Trade;
Supporting Regional Economic Integration and South-South Links.

Description of the ITC Internship

What are the fields of study required for the ITC Internship?

This internship program includes students and recent graduates from the most diverse fields of knowledge. The areas of study with the highest demand in this program are:

Economics;
Trade promotion and development;
Communication;
Graphic Design;
Product or market development;
Information technology services;
Human resources;
Other related field.

What are the tasks performed by the selected for the ITC Internship?

Carry out research in themes relevant to the agency’s work;
Draft and review documents, reports, etc;
Provide administrative and logistical support;
Take part in training, events and meetings with employees of the agency;
Prepare presentations;
Contribute to ongoing projects;
Manage the agency’s social medias;
Perform other activities when required.

What is the duration of the ITC Internship?

The initial duration of internships at ITC is 2 months. The internship can be extended to up to 8 months by an agreement between the intern and the agency.

What is the weekly workload of the ITC Internship?

Interns usually work full-time (40 hours per week).

Where are the locations of the ITC Internship?

Vacancies are spread between the agency’s headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland) and its other offices around the world.

When does the ITC Internship start?

The initial date of the internship shall be coordinated between the intern and the organization.

Is there any feedback following the completion of the ITC Internship?

At the end of the internship, the supervisor is in charge of preparing an assessment report of the intern’s performance.

Subsequent employment:

Participation in the internship is not related to future employment with the agency. However, the work experience in the agency will be a distinctive feature in your curriculum, which may facilitate your hiring by organizations inside or outside the UN System. After the internship, you can apply for a full-time job at ITC.

ITC Internship - Salary

The internship is unpaid.

ITC Internship - Requirements

What is the education requirement of the ITC Internship Program?

Be enrolled in a graduate school program (Master’s or PhD), or;
Be enrolled in the last school year of an undergraduate school program (Bachelor’s level or equivalent), or;
Have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate course in the last 12 months.

What is the language requirement of the ITC Internship Program?

Candidates must have proficiency in English or French.

What is the age requirement of the ITC Internship Program?

Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment.

What is the nationality requirement of the ITC Internship Program?

Applicants must be citizens of a UN member state.

What are the competencies required for the ITC Internship Program?

The main competencies required are:

Accountability & Dependability:

Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, and achieves results with little oversight;

Teamwork:

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals – Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others – Places team agenda before personal agenda – Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;

Client Orientation:

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view – Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions – Keep client informed of progress or setback – Meets timelines for delivery of products or services.

Other requirements:

Excellent Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel;
Excellent written and verbal communications skills;
Strong research and analytical skills;
Accuracy, flexibility and ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines,

What are the restrictions of the ITC Internship Program?

An applicant may not be a child or sibling of any organization staff member.

ITC Internship - Application process

When to apply for the ITC Internship Program?

Registration for the ITC internship program is open throughout the year. However, there may be vacancies with specific deadlines.

How to apply for the ITC Internship Program?

Login or sign up at ITC’s recruitment website;
Fill out the Application Form with information about your training and professional experience;
Upload the required documents;
Submit your application;

Your application will remain active for six months. If you are not contacted within six months and still wish to be considered for an internship, you should reapply.

What are the phases of the selection process for the ITC Internship Program?

Submitting the application;
Evaluation of the application;
Competency-based interview;
Selection notifications.

How is the ITC Internship Program interview?

Usually, only selected applicants will be contacted for the interview, which lasts about 30 minutes and may be done via Skype or phone. The main points covered in the interview are, in general, questions that address subjective or behavioral aspects, such as your expectations about the job, your interests in the area of expertise you are applying for and your previous experiences.

What are the documents to submit for the ITC Internship Program?

Complete Application Form;
CV;
A completed proof of enrollment form, signed and stamped, by your university/educational institution.

What is the evaluation criteria of the ITC Internship Program?

You will be evaluated regarding your previous experiences and skills, as well as your educational background.

ITC Internship - Costs

Visa:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements of obtaining the visa (if needed to do the internship).

Insurance:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs of enrolling in a valid global medical insurance plan, which must included coverage of accidents and illnesses that may occur during the internship.

Accommodation:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for accommodation expenses during the internship period.

Other:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements of the trip to the workplace to which you have been assigned.