Intern - International Investment Agreements Section

About the role

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is seeking a motivated intern for its International Investment Agreements (IIA) Section. The three‑month, full‑time internship (August 2026) can be carried out on‑site in Geneva or remotely, and is unpaid.

Key responsibilities

• Collect and update data on bilateral investment treaties, investment‑provision treaties, and ISDS cases for UNCTAD databases and reports.
• Conduct research on recent investment policy trends, monitor national and international developments, and assist in preparing IIA issue notes.
• Map IIA content and emerging features in Excel, following UNCTAD’s Investment Policy Framework.
• Support the organization of intergovernmental meetings such as the Annual IIA Conference and the World Investment Forum, including invitations, logistics, and preparation of speeches or presentations.
• Assist technical‑assistance projects by researching country IIA networks, preparing training materials, and coordinating virtual or face‑to‑face capacity‑building events.
• Proofread and edit documents, slides, and background material.

Required profile

• Current university student or recent graduate with a strong interest in international investment law and policy.
• Ability to work full‑time (40 hours/week) for three months.
• Valid visa for Switzerland if choosing the on‑site option; otherwise, remote work is possible.
• Self‑funded travel, accommodation, medical insurance and living expenses.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data collection, mapping and analysis.

What we offer

• Hands‑on experience with UNCTAD’s research, intergovernmental processes and technical assistance activities.
• Exposure to a global network of policymakers, experts and senior UNCTAD staff.