Intern: ITC Iraq Inclusive Economic Development

About the role

The International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the WTO and the UN, runs EU-supported initiatives in Iraq aimed at the economic inclusion of women, youth and vulnerable communities, decent employment, business development and stronger institutions. This internship, based at ITC headquarters in Geneva, supports three workstreams (JOBS, BEIT and MASAR) and runs from November 26 to May 27. It is a learning assignment supervised by a Senior Programme Officer and does not involve independent policy advice or project delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Desk research on economic inclusion barriers and opportunities for displaced persons, returnees, refugees, women and youth, and mapping of labour-market opportunities, employers, business support organizations, vocational training providers and financial service providers.
• Support documentation of technical consultations with public institutions, private-sector representatives and investors, and maintain action trackers and stakeholder contact matrices.
• Map TVET institutions, coordination mechanisms and decision-making processes, review evidence on bottlenecks to work-based learning and occupational standards, and help draft inter-ministerial protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Prepare research notes, presentations, meeting briefs and minutes, and support planning of stakeholder meetings and workshops.
• Maintain project files and knowledge products while respecting confidentiality, safeguarding, gender equality, inclusion and conflict sensitivity.

Required profile

• Enrolled in a graduate programme, or in the final year of a first degree (minimum bachelor's level), or a recent graduate starting within one year.
• Studies in economics, international development, public policy, international relations, business administration, social sciences or a related field.
• Interest in inclusive economic development, labour markets, entrepreneurship, housing/construction or TVET governance, preferably in fragile or displacement-affected contexts.
• Fluency in English; Arabic and/or other UN languages are a strong asset.

Required skills

• Structured desk research, synthesis of findings and well-referenced written outputs.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Proficiency in standard office software, spreadsheets and presentation tools; data visualization and basic monitoring skills are assets.

Interns are not paid by the UN; travel, visa, accommodation and living costs are the intern's responsibility, and visa requirements must be discussed before accepting the offer. The UN charges no fee at any stage of the recruitment process.