WTO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2027

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking candidates for THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAMME for 2027.

The WTO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a unique opportunity for qualified young professionals up to the age of 32 years, as at 1 January 2027, from WTO Members with low or no professional representation in the WTO Secretariat, to enhance their knowledge of WTO and skills in international trade issues.  

About World Trade Organisation (WTO)

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. The WTO has many roles: it operates a global system of trade rules, it acts as a forum for negotiating trade agreements, it settles trade disputes between its members and it supports the needs of developing countries. All major decis...&nb... continue reading

WTO Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

Aim and Benefits of WTO Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

This programme offers selected young professionals the opportunity to gain work experience in the WTO. It is a one-year programme without possibility of extension.

Requirements for WTO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) Qualification

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, econometrics, international relations, law, environment studies, or other trade-related subjects relevant to the work of the WTO (e.g. international investment law, trade and gender, etc.). Applicants must have obtained their advanced university degree by the time they submit their application.

Knowledge and Skills:

General knowledge of the work of the WTO.

Technical knowledge in one or more of the areas of work indicated above.

Good drafting skills in English. Ability to draft in French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team, in a multicultural environment.

Demonstrated strong interest in international trade and the multilateral trading system.

Commitment and passion for trade or WTO-related work.

Work Experience:

Minimum two (2) years of professional experience relevant to the work of the WTO.

Languages:

Fluency in English. A good working knowledge of either French or Spanish would be an advantage.

Information:

Preference shall be given to nationals from WTO Members without any representation as well as from developing and least developed countries (LDCs) Members with low representation (up to three staff members) at the professional level in the Secretariat (list below). Priority will be given to WTO Members from developing and LDCs that have no representation and have not participated in previous cohorts of the YPP (marked with an asterisk in list below). 

Albania, Angola, Armenia, Kingdom of Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin*, Plurinational State of Bolivia*, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam*, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde*, Cambodia, Chile, Comoros*, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, Djibouti*, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon*, The Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong China, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, the State of Kuwait*, Kyrgyz Republic*, Lao People’s Democratic Republic*, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao China, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar*, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger*, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar*, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis*, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa*, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone*, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands*, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname*, Chinese Taipei, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste*, Togo, Tonga*, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates*, Uruguay, Vanuatu*, Viet Nam, Yemen*, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply to this Programme.

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks.

Additional Information:

Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.

Check also:Learn Africa Scholarship Program 2026African Development Bank Group (AFDB) Internship 2026 (Session 2)

Application Deadline

How to Apply