Junior Professional Officer Programme

About the role

The World Trade Organization Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme places early-career professionals from developing countries (including many African nations) in two-year roles at the WTO Secretariat in Geneva. Roles span trade policy review, dispute settlement, agriculture, services, intellectual property, and economic research. Application deadline 31 August 2026 for the 2027 cohort.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the WTO Secretariat’s substantive work in your assigned division (research, trade policy review, dispute settlement, technical assistance).
• Author analyses, briefings, and technical papers for senior staff and member delegations.
• Support technical assistance programmes for developing-country WTO members.
• Participate in WTO meetings, negotiations, and ministerial conferences as a member of the Secretariat team.
• Build a multi-year professional network across the international trade community.

Requirements

• Citizen of an eligible developing country (most African countries qualify).
• Masters degree (or equivalent) in economics, law, international relations, or related field.
• Three to five years of relevant professional experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English; French or Spanish strongly preferred as a second WTO working language.
• Maximum age 35 at application.
• Sponsoring country government endorsement.

Nice to have

• Prior work experience at a national trade ministry or trade policy think tank.
• PhD in economics, law, or trade-related field.
• Publications on trade policy topics.

How to apply

Contact your country’s WTO national focal point (usually the Ministry of Trade) to confirm the country’s JPO sponsorship and the application process. Submit CV, cover letter, references, and country government endorsement through the official channel by 31 August 2026. Interviews follow with the WTO Secretariat.