OBJECTIVES

Internships with the ILO provide an opportunity for selected undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students who are pursuing a course of study or work in fields related to the ILO's mandate and activities to:

(a) increase their 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 work experience related to their academic background or future work in the field related to ILO's mission.

Interns gain an understanding of how the ILO operates and enhance their educational experience by working under the supervision of a senior staff member.

The backgrounds of interns are matched with the needs of the Office. Interns provide the Office with the assistance of young talent for a limited period and offer the most recent thinking and research experience in their area of academic study.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be considered for an internship at the ILO, applicants should meet the following requirements and qualifications:

Education: Applicants should have completed graduate and/or postgraduate studies or be in the final year of undergraduate studies; Applicants should hold degrees in disciplines considered relevant to the ILO's work, e.g. international law, economics, industrial relations, political science, and the social sciences. Nationality: Applicants can be of any nationality. Languages: Applicants should have a working (both oral and written) knowledge of at least one of the ILO's official languages (English, French or Spanish). Skills: Applicants should be able to adapt to an international, multicultural, multilingual environment; Good communication skills; Ability to work fairly independently or as part of a team; Initiative and flexibility; Other: Any past work experience and knowledge of IT-related work would be an advantage; Close relatives of a serving ILO official are not eligible to apply.

DURATION

The length of an internship should not normally be less than three months nor exceed six months.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Where an intern is not supported by an institution (university, government or otherwise), a stipend to cover basic subsistence costs wIll be paid.

In Geneva, this will be at the level of SFr. 1,500 per month.

In ILO field locations, the amount of the stipend to be paid to interns will be established in line with other similar organisations engaging interns at local level and taking account of local circumstances.

CONDITIONS OF INTERNSHIPS

• The cost of travel, insurance and accommodation, as well as living expenses, are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
• Interns are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and for obtaining the necessary passport and visa or other documents for entering Switzerland or any other duty station.
• Interns are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
• ILO does not accept responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship.
• Interns are responsible for procuring and maintaining their own insurance coverage for illness and accidents while they are working at the ILO and a copy of documentation attesting to such insurance coverage should be provided to HRD by each intern on their first day of internship.