Grade: Internship
Publication date: 07 April 2025
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 30 April 2025
Vacancy no.: INTERNROSTER/2025/1/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLAB
Job ID: 12864
Department: EMPLOYMENT
Organization Unit: EMPLAB
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration of contract: 3 to 6 months (starting on the 1st or the 15th of a given month)
You are applying to the ILO generic internship roster, which is published twice per year. The roster will be made available to all departments and field offices, which will then select and directly contact suitable candidates. Due to the high volume of applications, the ILO does not inform candidates about the status of their application.
The ILO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for you to:
- Increase your understanding of relevant issues at the international level by involving you directly in the work of the Office and the application of ILO principles, programmes and strategies.
- Gain practical experience with the ILO directly related to your field of study.
Please note that you:
- Are requested to apply to a maximum of three internship profiles, otherwise you will be automatically disqualified.
- Must upload a cover letter. Your CV or resumรฉ uploaded as attachments are not accepted.
- Are able to withdraw your application at any time via the Jobs Applied section of your profile.
- May not be contacted for the duration that this roster is active. Should this be the case, we encourage you to reapply if you are still eligible and available.
- Should not expect employment at the end of the internship.
- Must apply before the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
The ILO values diversity:
We welcome applications from qualified candidates, including from persons with disabilities and those from non- or under- represented member States.
If needed, reasonable accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities in the recruitment phase as well as during the internship to promote equality of opportunities. If you are unable to complete your online application form due to a disability, please send an email to internship@ilo.org.
If you are a national of a non- or under-represented member State, who is pursuing or has completed their studies in their home country, you may be eligible to have your travel costs covered by the ILO to Geneva, Switzerland.
IMPORTANT:
You can only apply for an internship if you:
- Have no close relative serving in the ILO (mother, father, brother, sister).
- Have not already undertaken an internship at the ILO.
- Are enrolled in a Masterโs or a Doctorate Programme, or have completed such a programme in the year preceding the application.
- Have a working (both oral and written) knowledge of English. This is mandatory.
Department(s)
The Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department (EMPLOYMENT) is responsible for promoting full and productive employment by developing integrated employment, development and skills policies that are inclusive, gender sensitive and sustainable. The work of the Department is guided by relevant ILO Conventions and Recommendations, robust analysis and evidence.
At the global level, the Department focuses on employment promotion through policy frameworks and partnerships that aim at generating more quality employment opportunities and contributes to and advocates for knowledge and capacity building on employment-related issues. At the country level, we support ILO constituents to develop, implement and monitor coordinated and context specific policies and programmes for more and better jobs, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups.
The Department delivers on its mandate through work in three Branches: Skills and Employability; Employment and Labour Markets Policies; and Employment in Investments.
The position is located in the Labour Market Services for Transitions Unit of the Employment, Labour Markets and Youth Branch (EMPLAB) within the Employment Policy Department (EMPLOYMENT).
EMPLAB supports governments, and workersโ and employersโ organisations to develop and implement gender-responsive employment and labour market policies with a focus on youth, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
We work with member States to respond to their employment challenges and shape a better future of work by:
โข Building their capacities on the design, delivery and monitoring of gender-sensitive, youth inclusive employment policies;
โข Generating global knowledge and evidence through research, diagnostics and assessments;
โข Devising strategies to respond to the changing employment landscape owing to AI and digitalisation, climate-induced transformations, demographic shifts, and 'polycrisis';
โข Strengthening their ability to design, delivery and monitor employment services and labour market programmes for effective labour market transitions;
โข Mobilising resources and partnerships to scale up action and the impact of our work.EMPLAB is composed of four technical units, namely: Labour Market Services for Transitions Unit (EMPLAB/SERVICES), Employment Analyses and Economic Policies Unit (EMPLAB/ANALYSES), Employment Strategies for Inclusive Transformation Unit (EMPLAB/STRATEGIES), Youth Employment Unit (EMPLAB/YOUTH) and the Gender in Employment Group (EMPLAB/GENDER).
EMPLAB/SERVICES leads work on labour market services for transitions, focusing on public employment services and active labour market policies. The unit conducts research, provides technical assistance, and offers capacity building for governments, employers, and workersโ organizations. It prioritizes the needs of diverse social groups, age cohorts, and genders while integrating a future-of-work and human-centered approaches into policies and programs. Additionally, it fosters partnerships to enhance coordinated responses.
Learning areas
As an intern in the Labour Market Services for Transitions Unit at EMPLAB, you will support the implementation of the IngerGen Project. With support from the Ministry of Labour of the Republic of Korea, this project aims to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of governments, employers, and workers' organizations worldwide in developing effective labour market initiatives to address the challenges of aging societies. It also assists selected countries in designing and implementing these initiatives. Key activities include conducting a multi-country study on the labour market activation of older workers, creating a global online repository of active labour market policies (ALMPs), and building the capacity of countries to implement comprehensive ALMP packages.
As an intern supporting the InterGen Project, you will gain knowledge in the topics of labour market policies and ageing societies and will gain international project implementation skills. You will also be exposed to the day-to-day work of the Unit, the Branch and other teams in the ILO, allowing you to develop core skills such as communication, client-oriented behaviour, and effective self-organizationโin addition to working with colleagues from different geographies, cultures and educational backgrounds.
Interns should expect to devote 10% to 20% of their time to administrative tasks.
Education
Masterโs degree in social or political sciences, international relations, development studies, or related fields.
The candidate must be enrolled at least in a Master's degree programme or must have completed such a programme no longer than 1 year ago.
Experience
Experience in project design and implementation (preferably at the international level), sound drafting skills in English, proven quantitative and qualitative research experience. Knowledge or experience in the areas of employment, labour market policies, and / or ageing societies is an advantage.
Languages
Confirmed working-level (oral and written) of English language. Good working-level knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage.
Competencies
Attention to detail, client-oriented, critical thinking, creative, able to work in an international, multicultural and multilingual environment. Good communication skills and ability to work in a team.
How to apply:
1. Search for an internship profile via the page on ILO Jobs
2. Select the internship profile you would like to apply for, and create a profile on ILO Jobs
3. Complete your candidate profile and apply to the internship profile
4. Be sure to attach a cover letter in the last section of the application, as applications without a cover letter will not be considered and you cannot attach a cover letter after the deadline.
Selection process:
Following a first screening by the Human Resources Development Department (HRD), hiring departments will short-list applicants. You will be directly contacted should an internship opportunity match your profile. If you have not been contacted by any department within six months after your application, you can consider that you have not been selected by any department for this roster. If still eligible, you may apply to the next roster.
If shortlisted, you may be contacted by the hiring department for a written test and/or interview. The ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Stipend/Financial compensations:
As an intern in Geneva, you will receive a stipend of 2450 CHF per month from the ILO, unless you receive funding through another institution (for example your university or a foundation). If you receive partial funding, ILO will cover the difference to ensure you receive 2450 CHF per month. Your travel to Geneva will be at your own expense. In addition to the amounts referred above, each intern shall receive the amount of CHF45 per month, or the equivalent amount in the currency in which the monthly stipend is paid, which is a contribution from the Office towards the cost of medical insurance to cover the period of the internship.
Qualified candidates from non- and under- represented countries may be eligible for a special fund that provides financial assistance for round-trip airfare (economy class) in addition to the stipend.
Insurance:
Please note that the ILO does not take responsibility for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the internship. You will be responsible for your own insurance coverage for illness and accidents for the duration of the internship at the duty station (whether Geneva or the field).
Fraud warning:
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.