Discover IC Panorama
What does international cooperation mean? In the panorama of the IC working world you will find definitions, actors and career examples.
Internships, traineeships and junior programmes in international cooperation
Making the world a better, fairer place – Do you want to pursue this goal in your professional life? Are you looking to take the next step after leaving school, or to gain work experience during your studies? The following Swiss-based and international organisations give you the opportunity to develop your talent.
The programmes and positions are as varied in their length, actual activities, preparation and supervision as they are in their requirements of applicants. While it is possible to do an internship during or immediately after studying, trainee programmes generally require some years of work experience.
Inform yourself thoroughly and target your applications so that this, possibly first, experience in international cooperation has a long-term impact on your career. If you are unsure, it can be helpful to talk with a counsellor about your motivation, aspirations, concrete plans and chances.
Getting into NGOs
Internships
Amnesty International Switzerland
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces
Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC
Organisation Suisse d’Aide aux Réfugiés
Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation
World Business Council for Sustainable Development: internships
Junior positions
These organisations regularly offer junior positions, although they are not always explicitly described as such.
Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
Trainee Programmes
Swiss Study Foundation - Mercator Program Center for International Affairs
At a glance
Would you like to take a glance at junior programmes and posts that NGOs offer? Find a non-exhaustive list here.
See list (in French)
Getting into state actors
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Concours diplomatique
Concours consulaire
Stage académique
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, FDFA
Programme de relève DDC/CI
Stage académique
Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA), SDC
Programme vert, junior professional promotion for experienced people with the required profile but lacking professional experience in humanitarian aid.
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Internship
Département fédéral de l'économie, de la formation et de la recherche DEFR
Organe d’exécution du service civil ZIVI, Civilian service abroad
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Deutschland
Getting into multilateral institutions
United Nations UN
UNICEFUnited Nations Children's Fund , UNDPUnited Nations Development Programme , UNFPAUnited Nations Population Fund , UN WomenUnited Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women , UNVUN Volunteers
Overview of programmes and positions for young professionals
Junior Professional Officer Positions for Swiss nationals
UN Volunteer Specialist positions
Others
International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD)
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Development banks (International Financial Institutions)
World Bank and IFCInternational Finance Corporation , IDBInter-American Development Bank , EBRDEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development , ADBAsian Development Bank , AfDBAfrican Development Bank
Overview of programmes and positions for young professionals
Junior Professional Officer Positions for Swiss nationals
Other multilateral institutions
EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
Starting out with private sector actors and foundations
Blue Orchard: internships and junior positions
Financial Systems Development Services AG (FIDES): internships and junior positions
Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture: internships
World Economic Forum: Global Leadership Fellows Programme
Others
Support for social entrepreneurs
For the unemployed in Switzerland
Professional internships in the federal administration SOMS
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