The WTO Young Professionals Programme offers a one-year paid placement within the WTO Secretariat for professionals aged 32 or under from developing nations, covering trade, law, and economics, with a CHF 4,000 monthly salary and strong career prospects.
The World Trade Organization's Young Professionals Programme (YPP), launched in 2016, offers a compelling career opportunity for qualified professionals from developing and least-developed nations. Designed as a springboard into international trade, the programme provides hands-on experience within the WTO Secretariat while expanding participants' global networks.
Selected candidates are embedded directly within a specific division of the WTO Secretariat, with placements tailored to align individual interests with the organisation's strategic needs. Participants engage with complex global challenges across specialised domains, including:
- Agriculture
- Dispute settlement
- Intellectual property rights
- Trade policy analysis
- Trade and environment
- Market access
The programme runs for exactly one year with no possibility of extension. Participants receive:
- A monthly salary of CHF 4,000
- Comprehensive medical coverage for the duration of the programme
- Fully covered travel costs
To qualify, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Be 32 years of age or younger at the expected start date
- Hold an advanced university degree in law, economics, or a field relevant to international trade
- Bring a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience
- Be a national of a WTO member nation
- Be fluent in English; working knowledge of French or Spanish is a strong advantage
Strong preference is given to candidates from under-represented WTO members that currently have no professional-level staff within the Secretariat.
Completing the YPP does not automatically guarantee a permanent position within the Secretariat, but it serves as a significant resume builder. Key takeaways for prospective applicants:
- Graduates improve their prospects for future recruitment by the WTO as well as other regional and international organisations
- Participants are encouraged to apply for external vacancies during the programme year
- Applications are accepted annually through the WTO external jobs platform
- Candidates must complete the online procedures and attach a letter of motivation
