Internship in research relating to trade, digitalisation and decent work

Grade:Internship 

Publication date: 15 April 2024
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 29 April 2024

Vacancy no.:

Job ID:  11822

Department:  RESEARCH
Organization Unit:  RESEARCH
Location:Geneva, Switzerland  
Duration of contract: 3 to 6 months (starting on the 1st or the 15th of a given month)

You are applying to the ILO generic internship roster, which is published several times per year. The roster will be made available to all departments and field offices, which will then select and directly contact suitable candidates. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, the ILO does not inform candidates about the status of their application. 

ILO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for talented individuals to:

(a) increase understanding of relevant issues at the international level by involving them directly in the work of the Office and the application of ILO principles, programmes and strategies;

(b) gain practical experience with the ILO directly related to their field of study.

The internship programme is not intended to lead to a career in the ILO. There should be no expectation of further employment at the end of the internship.

**Please note that you can apply to a maximum of three internship profiles during the current application period. If you apply to more than three internship profiles, your application will not be considered for any profile.** Note that you may withdraw your candidature at any time via the Jobs Applied section of your profile.

It is highly recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid last minute technical issues or delays. Late applications will not be considered.

The ILO values diversity. We welcome applications from candidates, particularly from non- or under- represented member States from the following countries: https://jobs.ilo.org/content/Non--and-under-represented-member-States/?locale=en_GB

Qualified candidates from those countries may be eligible for a special fund that provides financial assistance for round-trip airfare (economy class) in addition to the stipend.

The ILO also encourages applications of persons with disabilities. If needed, reasonable accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities in the recruitment phase as well as during the internship to promote equality of opportunities. For assistance, please send an e-mail to internship@ilo.org

IMPORTANT:
Please only apply for an internship if you fulfil the following two criteria:

(1) You have no close relative serving in the ILO.

(2) This is your first internship with the ILO (only one internship is permitted).

The internship position is located in the Research Department (RESEARCH) of the ILO, which conducts research on labour, employment and social protection issues to contribute to policy formulation for ILO constituents at the global level. The main purpose of the Department is to assess major trends - including new technologies, demographic change, the scarcity of natural resources, the evolving role of finance and emerging patterns in development and globalization - in relation to their socioeconomic and legal impact. Core research issues also include the assessment of "what works", in terms of decent work outcomes. RESEARCH produces flagship publications such as the annual World Employment and Social Outlook as well as studies that examine the inter-linkages between economic growth and social equity.

The internship position will support the Department’s work on globalization, competitiveness and labour standards, in particular in the area of trade, investment and digitalization. This includes contributing to multi-dimensional analysis of institutional and legal settings with the aim of developing policy objectives to achieve more equitable outcomes.

The internship position will report to the Chief of the Globalization, Competitiveness and Labour Standards Unit in RESEARCH.

As an intern in the Globalization, Competitiveness and Labour Standards Unit in RESEARCH, you will be exposed to a whole range of areas such as trade and investment governance and their implications for labour standards and employment. You will also engage with research activities concerning the interlinkages between digital trade, artificial intelligence and decent work.

You would be gaining experience in working with specialists who are involved in assessing the decent work implications of trade, analysing the implications of trade and investment governance for labour standards and exploring emerging trends in relation to the future of work in trade-oriented sectors.

Specifically, your tasks would involve conducting background research for an issue brief on artificial intelligence, international trade and e-migration. Furthermore, you will be involved in the preparation of a variety of research dissemination activities in relation to the Unit’s work on trade, investment and decent work. This will include assisting in the preparation of blogs, podcasts and presentations for training workshops targeted at the ILO’s constituents. The internship position will also provide research assistance for ongoing research activities of the Unit. Interns should expect to devote 10% to 20% of their time to administrative tasks.

Studies in economics, social sciences or law. The candidate should be enrolled in their final year of a graduate degree programme or should have completed such a programme no longer than one year ago.

Relevant professional or academic experience in the area of labour standards, employment policy, international trade and investment, digital trade or artificial intelligence would be an advantage.

The position requires a good working knowledge of English. Working knowledge of Spanish or French would be an advantage.

Candidates should be adaptable to an international, multicultural and multilingual environment. They should possess good communication skills and be able to work in a team.

The position requires strong research and drafting skills. A good use of Excel, Stata and Powerpoint would be an advantage.

How to apply:

1. Search for an internship profile via the page on ILO Jobs 

2. Select the internship profile you would like to apply for, and create a profile on ILO Jobs 

3. Complete your candidate profile and apply to the internship profile

4. Be sure to attach a cover letter in the last section of the application, as applications without a cover letter will not be considered and you cannot attach a cover letter after the deadline. 

Selection process:

Following a first screening by the Human Resources Development Department (HRD), hiring departments will short-list applicants. You will be directly contacted should an internship opportunity match your profile. If you have not been contacted by any department within six months after your application, you can consider that you have not been selected by any department for this roster. If still eligible, you may apply to the next roster. 

If shortlisted, you may be contacted by the hiring department for a written test and/or interview. The ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Stipend:

As an intern in Geneva, you will receive a stipend of 2450 CHF per month from the ILO, unless you receive funding through another institution (for example your university or a foundation). If you receive partial funding, ILO will cover the difference to ensure you receive 2450 CHF per month. Your travel to Geneva will be at your own expense.In addition to the amounts referred above, each intern shall receive the amount of CHF45 per month, or the equivalent amount in the currency in which the monthly stipend is paid, which is a contribution from the Office towards the cost of medical insurance to cover the period of the internship.

Insurance:

Please note that the ILO does not take responsibility for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the internship. You will be responsible for your own insurance coverage for illness and accidents for the duration of the internship at the duty station (whether Geneva or the field).

Fraud warning:

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.