The World Trade Organization has opened applications for its Young Professionals Programme (YPP), offering early-career candidates from developing countries a one-year placement at its Geneva headquarters with a monthly salary of about $3,000.
The programme, launched in 2016, aims to increase representation of under-represented member states within the WTO Secretariat and to build expertise in international trade policy among young professionals.
The Geneva-based organisation said the initiative is open to nationals of its member countries, including Kenya, which joined the WTO in 1995.
Selected candidates will be assigned to different divisions of the Secretariat depending on institutional needs and individual expertise, with work spanning areas such as trade policy analysis, agriculture, dispute settlement, intellectual property, and trade and development.
Participants will receive a monthly salary of 4,000 Swiss francs — roughly $3,000 at current exchange rates — along with medical insurance and coverage of travel expenses.
The programme lasts one year and cannot be extended, though participants may apply for permanent roles within the WTO or other international organisations upon completion.
The WTO said the scheme is designed to provide “hands-on experience” in the functioning of the multilateral trading system, at a time when global trade governance faces mounting pressures from geopolitical tensions and shifting supply chains.
Eligibility criteria include holding an advanced university degree — typically a master’s or equivalent — in economics, law or other trade-related disciplines, along with at least two years of relevant professional experience.
Applicants must also demonstrate a strong interest in international trade and be fluent in English, with knowledge of French or Spanish considered an advantage.
Candidates must be aged 32 or younger at the expected start date.
Preference is given to applicants from countries that are under-represented within the WTO Secretariat, in line with the organisation’s broader diversity goals.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has previously highlighted the importance of the programme in strengthening global trade expertise among young professionals from developing economies.
Speaking earlier this year at the induction of a new cohort, she praised participants for their contributions and reiterated the WTO’s commitment to building a more inclusive workforce.
The 2025 intake included 19 participants drawn from developing and least-developed countries.
Applications for the programme must be submitted through the WTO’s official careers portal, with candidates required to provide a completed online form and a letter of motivation.
The organisation cautioned applicants to remain vigilant against fraud, warning that it does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and does not request sensitive personal or financial information.
“All official communications are sent from authorised WTO email addresses,” it said, adding that offers made outside its official platform should be treated with suspicion.
The announcement comes amid continued demand for professional opportunities among young graduates, particularly in Africa, where youth unemployment remains high in several countries.
Development institutions have increasingly expanded internship and training programmes aimed at equipping young people with practical skills and international exposure.
Separately, the African Development Bank has also opened applications for its 2026 internship programme, targeting students and recent graduates from member countries.
The WTO programme, however, stands out for its focus on trade policy and its placement within one of the world’s key institutions governing global commerce.
While participation does not guarantee permanent employment, analysts say such programmes can provide a stepping stone into careers in international organisations, government or the private sector.
The WTO said the latest call is likely aimed at upcoming cohorts, with application cycles typically announced several months before the start of each intake.
