Internship: Trade and Environment

Job Description

Job Opening ID: 271045
Job Network : -
Job Family : Programme Management
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : GENEVA
Department/Office : International Trade Centre
Date Posted : Jan 22, 2026
Deadline : Feb 12, 2026

Work Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Expected duration: 6 months - starting asap

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, visit www.intracen.org.

This internship is located within the Trade and Environment Programme (TEP), hosted under the Green and Inclusive Value Chains (GIVC) section. TEP provides trade intelligence and technical assistance to strengthen MSMEs’ climate competitiveness through environment-related tools and approaches. It leads advocacy at key environmental and trade forums (UNFCCC, CBD, WTO) to ensure small business perspectives are included in decision-making, recognizing their role in leveraging trade for a just transition. Additionally, TEP oversees initiatives promoting circular economy and socio-bioeconomy business models, and the adoption of mitigation measures by MSMEs.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall guidance of the Trade and Environment Programme Officer, the intern will support the team’s work in the areas of trade, climate change and circular economy, with a focus on proposal development and resource mobilisation.

Research and analytics on trade and environment:

• Carry out desk research on relevant policy and technical topics and synthesise findings into short analytical notes or proposal inputs.
• Track relevant international and regional policy and funding developments related to the teams areas of work.
• Conduct background research to support proposal development, including on trade and climate, circular economy, biodiversity and related fields.

Project/programme coordination:

• Support to ongoing projects’ implementation, including activity planning, coordination and tracking of deliverables.
• Support basic M&E tasks, including collection and analysis of activity-level data, organisation of reporting documents, and drafting of short inputs for progress reporting.
• Assist with preparing results presentations.
• Support the drafting and internal review of project proposals, concept notes and related annexes (e.g. narratives, workplans).
• Assist in consolidating inputs from team members and ensuring coherence, clarity and alignment with donor requirements.

Event coordination:

• Support the planning and coordination of project-related meetings, workshops and events (virtual and in-person), including preparation of agendas, background notes and participant lists.
• Assist with logistical coordination, preparation of summaries and key takeaways.

Writing and communications:

• Support drafting of briefing notes, presentations and short technical documents linked to project development and implementation.
• Assist with preparation of communication materials (e.g. case studies) related to project activities and events, as required.
• Support editing, formatting and quality control of proposals and other project documents.

ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

Qualifications/special skills

a) Be enrolled in the final academic year of the first university degree programme (minimum Bachelors level or equivalent); or

b) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or

c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.

In one of the following fields or similar: economics, environmental economics, public policy, environmental policy, international development, finance, sustainable trade or related field.

No prior professional work experience is required. However, previous internship and/or academic research experience in areas such as trade and environment, circular economy, sustainability, data analysis or international development would be an asset.

Languages

Languages and Skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of Spanish or French is desirable.

Skills:

• Research and analytical skills, including desk research and synthesis of policy and technical information;
• Proposal development and technical writing skills;
• Project coordination and organisational skills, including activity planning and tracking of deliverables;
• Basic monitoring and reporting skills, including data collection and preparation of progress inputs;
• Communication and collaboration skills, including support to meetings, workshops and events.

Additional Information

LEARNING ELEMENTS:

• Gain practical experience in trade-related technical assistance at the intersection of trade, environment, circular economy and sustainability;
• Develop an understanding of ITC’s mandate, programmes and working methods through involvement in project development and implementation;
• Strengthen research and analytical skills by conducting desk research and contributing to short analytical notes and other writing inputs;
• Strengthen technical writing through contributions to proposals and reports.
• Develop project coordination skills, including planning, tracking and basic monitoring.
• Support meetings, workshops and events, including preparation of materials and summaries.
• Increase knowledge of MSME, trade and environment policy and development trends.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

DEADLINE: February 12, 2026