Trade Law and Customs Intern

Job Description

BACKGROUND:
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint technical agency of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), which provides technical assistance and capacity building to policymakers, the private sector and trade and investment support organizations to help them use trade as an engine for sustainable growth and employment generation.
ITC assists developing and transition economies to take advantage of expanding trade opportunities in an increasingly complex global environment.
ITC promotes sustainable and inclusive development goals through trade.
ITC works to support the achievement of the sustainable Development Goals by connecting micro, small and medium enterprises to global value chains.
By enabling small business export success in developing countries, ITC helps generate sustainable incomes and livelihoods, especially for women and youth while taking into consideration sustainable elements such as the environment and social responsibility.

To provide technical assistance, ITC works together with national partners aiming at providing impact-oriented, customized and responsive technical assistance in beneficiary countries, in the area of Trade Law and Business Environment.
Key impacts of its intervention include the enhanced business and regulatory environment in which firms operate, and improved competitiveness of MSMEs, the creation of self-employment opportunities for vulnerable and marginalized groups through digital channels, border compliance, cross-border transactions, advocacy, reduction and simplification of administrative procedures, improving commercial contractual practices, enhancing dispute settlement mechanisms for trade, and legal and financial literacy among other.

In delivering technical assistance, the ITC teams work in coordination with a local partner and experts comprising local institutions in the beneficiary countries to deliver the outputs and outcomes in the projects.
Assistance include among other advanced training of trainers and replication in collaboration with local institutions and associations serving as multiplier to achieve sustainability and continuous support to businesses.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
In this context, BTIF is looking for an Intern to support the implementation of activities supporting small and medium enterprises and border regulatory agencies developing tools and solutions for improving services for cross-border trade, with a special focus on capacity building of both public and private beneficiaries.

Under the overall guidance and the supervision of the Senior Officer, BTIF/DMD, the selected intern is expected to:

• Undertake research and analysis in the area of customs law and practice, harmonization of regulatory framework and best practices in enhancing the efficiency and costs of customs operations;
• Assist in collecting national regulations to carry out review and assessment vis-à-vis trade treaties and other provisions.
• Assist in setting-up capacity building modules in virtual learning systems.
• Assist in researching resources materials on topics related to customs law and practice, general practice and region specific (LATAM, Africa)
• Assist with the roll out of measure specific initiatives such as digitalization of customs decisions, appeal and review of decisions.
• Assist in the development of a model to identify performance indicators with regard to the implementation of treaties related to green customs initiatives among other.
• Assist in promoting capacity building and technical offer among beneficiaries.
• Collaborate in projects aiming and modernizing business ecosystems and improving regulatory frameworks to enhance the efficiency and costs of doing business in target countries;
• Assist in research for the development of project proposals for submission to donors;
• Undertake related tasks as needed.

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
EDUCATION
Applicants to the programme shall, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
a) Be enrolled in a graduate or master school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent);
c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.

Relevant field of studies e.g. law, business law, customs law, international private and public law, trade law and development, public administration, and related.

Other skills:

Advanced Computer literacy; knowledge if programming would be an advantage.

Additional skills:

• Understanding of trade and development issues;
• Understanding of customs law;
• Understanding of results-based management, project monitoring and evaluation;
• Excellent drafting skills;
• Exposure or familiarity with economic and law indicators would be an asset;
• Team spirit and ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Languages
Fluency in Spanish and at least one of the following: English, French or Portuguese.
Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

DEADLINE: AUGUST 2, 2025