Funded Traineeships for Young Graduates at the EU Delegation to the United Nations and International Organisations in Geneva 2026

About the Traineeship

The EU Delegation to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva offers funded traineeships for young graduates interested in international relations and diplomacy. These placements provide a unique opportunity to understand how the EU represents its interests and values in multilateral forums. Traineeships last between 3 to 6 months starting tentatively in September or October 2026, subject to budget availability.

Key Responsibilities

Trainees may be assigned to one of several sections:

• Human Rights Section: Drafting briefings, preparing meetings through research and statement writing, creating reports on EU/OHCHR and human rights-related events, analyzing human rights policies across countries, providing logistics support, and attending Human Rights Council and Universal Periodic Review meetings as well as related working groups.
• Economic Affairs, Development, Environment and Digital Section: Supporting the Head of Section and colleagues in communications with UN agencies such as UNECE, ITU, UNCTAD, WIPO, UNEP, WMO, and others like WEF or ITC; preparing statements and meeting materials; summarizing reports and drafting meeting reports; assisting with official visits and logistics.
• Social Affairs and Labour Section: Preparing background notes, analytical reports, and summaries of ILO meetings and EU coordination gatherings; providing administrative support; assisting in report drafting and research; liaising with EU member states on labor-related preparations and conferences; participating in meetings at the UN, EU Delegation, NGOs, think-tanks; supporting communication with EU Member States.
• Health Section: Assisting colleagues in covering EU activities at WHO; attending related meetings and events; preparing statements and research materials; drafting reports; supporting meetings and communications related to WHO and other health bodies.

Benefits

Each trainee receives a monthly stipend to help with living costs. Trainees are responsible for expenses related to travel, visas, insurance, and accommodation themselves.

Eligibility Criteria

• Master's degree in fields relevant to international relations, European studies, or the specific section of interest.
• Good understanding of EU and UN systems.
• Excellent English writing skills; knowledge of French is a significant advantage.
• Previous relevant internships, student roles, or voluntary work in the area applied for are considered assets.

Application Process

Applicants must send the following to the email corresponding to their chosen section: a detailed Europass CV (other formats not accepted), a cover letter explaining motivation to join the traineeship, and a completed application form. They are instructed to apply to only one traineeship per delegation but may be considered for others depending on their background.

Email addresses for application vary by section, such as the Human Rights section, Economic section, Social Affairs and Labour, Health, Head of Delegation, and Disarmament.

Email subject must specify "Funded Traineeship – [Name/Acronym of the Section]".