About the opportunity
The Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP) of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) maintains a traineeship programme for students and recent graduates interested in gaining professional experience in a multicultural environment and enhancing their understanding of the United Nations system. MDP designs and delivers core diplomacy training, orientation briefings, and short intensive skills development workshops, alongside country-level training, e-learning courses, and special projects. The selected trainee will work at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva for six months on a full-time basis, assisting in the coordination, implementation, communication, and management of training activities.
Salary and benefits
- Monthly lump-sum of 900 CHF provided towards transportation and miscellaneous costs
- Gain professional experience in a multicultural environment within the United Nations system
- Develop a professional network with UNITAR and United Nations staff
- Acquire hands-on skills in training coordination, instructional design, and e-learning course implementation
Who can apply?
- Must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate degree within international relations, education, history, law, political science, languages, or a related subject, OR be a recent graduate of the aforementioned (must commence the traineeship within two years of graduation)
- Demonstrated interest in training methodologies and especially e-Learning
- Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, with strong analytical and research skills
- Possess administrative, organizational, and computer skills
- High level of individual responsibility, commitment, initiative, and motivation to work with monitoring and evaluation
- High standard in both oral and written English; proficiency in Arabic is desirable
Required documents
- Application
- Motivation letter
When to apply
- Deadline for submission of applications: 26 October 2026
- Start date: November 2026, with the exact date to be agreed upon with the selected candidate
How to apply
- Prepare your application along with a motivation letter
- Access the UNITAR e-recruitment tool via the official vacancy link to proceed with your application
Additional information
- The placement is on an unpaid basis, supplemented by a monthly lump-sum stipend of 900 CHF for transportation and miscellaneous expenses.
- The traineeship is on a full-time basis, requiring candidates to work five days a week in-person at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva.
- Due to the high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Ideal for current students or recent graduates in international relations, political science, law, or education looking to break into the UN system.
- A strong match for individuals passionate about educational design, e-learning methodologies, and international capacity-building.
- Provides immersive, hands-on experience in coordinating high-level diplomatic training and working directly with partner organizations.
What should you think carefully about?
- The traineeship is unpaid, offering only a monthly lump-sum of 900 CHF, which may require careful budgeting for living expenses in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Requires a full-time, in-person commitment of five days a week at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva for six months.
- High competition is expected, and only shortlisted candidates will receive communication regarding their applications.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This traineeship fits well for career starters seeking to build a robust professional network within the United Nations while gaining specialized administrative and programmatic experience in multilateral diplomacy and training delivery.
Our take
Students and recent graduates with a background in international affairs or education who can manage the cost of living in Geneva on a partial stipend should seriously apply. Those seeking fully-compensated employment or unable to relocate to Switzerland should consider other opportunities.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verified
