Working at the WTO

A career at the WTO Secretariat means a lot of things. You will be working in a truly diverse environment, interacting with more than 600 staff members from about 80 countries. Your workplace will be Geneva, Switzerland, in the WTO's headquarters next to Lake Geneva. You will have the opportunity to work in the WTO's three official languages — English, French and Spanish — and participate in the evolution of multilateral trade. If you find this appealing, a career at the WTO could be for you!

Why work at the WTO?

Do you believe that trade plays an essential role in supporting economic growth and development around the world?

Do you want trade to be as inclusive as possible so that the gains from trade are better shared across the society?

If your answer to these questions is yes, the World Trade Organization (WTO) offers you the opportunity to be part of an organization that aims to ensure trade flows as freely as possible so that its benefits can be shared as widely as possible.

Career opportunities

The WTO Secretariat employs over 600 staff from around 80 WTO member countries. Staff roles include dispute settlement lawyers, legal officers, trade policy analysts and specialists, research economists and statisticians, who help to ensure that trade negotiations progress smoothly and that the rules of international trade are correctly implemented. Other roles include press officers, translators and interpreters, professionals in finance, IT, HR, etc. who support the mission of the WTO.

• Core functions
• Other functions

Our workplace

• Diversity
• The WTO building
• General information about Geneva

Compensation and benefits

The WTO's compensation policy is based on the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.

• Salary
• Performance awards
• Dependency allowances
• Social security
• Additional benefits
• Leave provisions
• Benefits applicable to internationally recruited staff
• Learning & development
• Mobility
• Work/life balance

Contracts and grades

• Types of employment
• Grade structure

Current vacancies

The E-Recruitment system must be used to apply for vacancies at the WTO. You can view current vacancies and submit your details as a “personal profile”.

How to apply

Internships and opportunities for young professionals

The WTO Secretariat maintains a variety of internship programmes for post-graduate students and a Young Professional Programme for professionals whose home countries are under-represented at the WTO. Internship selections are based on merit, taking account of eligibility criteria, academic qualifications and expertise.

• WTO Internship Programme
• China's LDCs and Accessions Programme
• WTO Support Programme for Doctoral Studies
• Young Professionals Programme