Junior Professional Programme Geneva - EFTA Secretariat 2025-2026
Are you a passionate, driven individual looking to kick-start your career in an intergovernmental organisation? Or do you already bring a first work experience with you and want to know more about the EEA Agreement? Then welcome to our Junior Professional Programme, where we offer you a unique opportunity to embark on an exciting journey of professional growth and development.
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organisation set up for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its four Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
We are looking for highly motivated and qualified Junior Professionals to fill two positions in Geneva as of 1 September 2025 for a duration of 11 months.
Role Description
The two Junior Professional (JP) positions in Geneva offer the opportunity to learn about EFTA’s third country and intra member states activities. The JPs work for the Secretariat’s governing body and on activities related to third country trade relations outside the European Union (EU). The two Junior Professionals in Geneva will work for both the Secretary-General’s Office (SGO) as well as the Trade Relations Division (TRD).
SGO in Geneva supports EFTA’s governing body, the EFTA Council. It is also responsible for horizontal matters such as internal legal, institutional, and budgetary matters. TRD is responsible for the exploration, negotiation, and implementation of preferential trade arrangements with non-EU partner countries. SGO and TRD collaborate closely on trade-related horizontal projects, notably the monitoring of the use of preferential trade agreements.
The JPs in Geneva participate in the meetings of the EFTA Council and related bodies, and assist in the preparation and follow-ups of meetings, contributing to meeting documents and reports, background notes, and press releases. This includes the annual meeting of the Council at Ministerial level, taking place in a different EFTA Member State each year. The JPs also work on EFTA internal regulations and other legal and governance issues. This requires excellent drafting skills in English. Strong organisational skills and political sensitivity/awareness are desirable.
The JPs also perform tasks related to free trade agreements such as economic, legal or political analyses on current trade topics (including, for example, trade and sustainable development, digital trade and developments in global trade cooperation), preparatory work and assistance for free trade negotiations and trade-related meetings, work on implementation of agreements and monitoring tasks (for example on preference utilisation).
Regarding trade-related horizontal projects, analytical/quantitative skills are desirable, including familiarity with international trade statistics and a good understanding of the global economy and international trading environment. Experience with data management or statistical software would be welcome.
Essential Skills
- University degree in a relevant discipline (Law, Economics, Political or Social Science, International Relations, etc.) or degree due prior to 1 September 2025
- Excellent drafting skills in English
- Good understanding of and interest in international trade relations
- Analytical mind and attention to detail
- Flexibility, team player spirit and ability to take on a wide variety of tasks, both complex and more basic
Ideal Skills
- Work experience of 1-2 years in a governmental service and knowledge of EFTA free trade agreements
- Statistical skills (with basic macroeconomic terms)
- Sound knowledge of international law, hereunder international trade law (candidates with complementary skills may be selected for the two positions).
Employment Terms
Nationality requirements
The Junior Professional programme at the EFTA Secretariat is open to nationals of the EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
What we offer
- Junior Professionals receive a monthly stipend of CHF 2 640;
- Accommodation in spacious individual furnished flats will be provided;
- Health, life and invalidity and travel insurance cover;
- Reimbursement of travel costs upon taking up and leaving the programme;
- The opportunity to join language classes.
Note: The stipend and benefits received by Junior Professionals do not fall under the same privileges applying to EFTA officials. The relationship with the respective tax authorities is the Junior Professionals' own responsibility and the taxation decision lies with the competent tax authority.
Application procedure
Only applications submitted via the EFTA online recruitment tool will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by phone and interviews are normally conducted online via Teams in the weeks following the deadline.
Please be aware of the following:
- Your application will only be considered if you are a national of one of the EFTA Member States;
- All requested information on education, work experience, motivation, etc., should be filled in on the application form;
- Applications submitted by e-mail will not be taken into consideration.
More information regarding the recruitment process for the Junior Professional Programme can be found here.
In the interest of offering this valuable experience to the broadest pool of individuals possible, former ESA, EFTA Court and EFTA Secretariat Junior Professionals/trainees will not be eligible to apply for this Junior Professional Programme.
For any further information, please contact EFTA Human Resources: hr.support@efta.int
Deadline for application: 4 May 2025