FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
General questions
- Does the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ have offices around the globe?
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. It has no field offices elsewhere.
- Which languages are used at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
The three working languages of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ are English, French and Spanish.
- What are the normal office hours of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
The official office hours of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ are from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m, Monday to Friday.
- Can I work for the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ if I have relatives working at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
Spouses of staff members are given equal opportunity in recruitment, provided that they are fully qualified for the post under consideration. However, no other relative of a staff member shall be recruited by the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ.
Questions regarding the application process for fixed-term positions
- How do I get to know about the job opportunities at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
All vacancy notices are published on the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ external jobs platform. They are also shared in various social media such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Please check our website regularly or follow us on social media to get up to date job opportunities at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ.
- Who do I contact if I have a technical problem when applying through the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ external jobs platform?
Please write to the [email protected] to describe the problem. Normally you will receive a response within two to three working days. Please note this address is dedicated to technical problems.
- How long will the whole recruitment process take for fixed-term contracts?
Generally speaking, the whole recruitment process for fixed-term positions takes an average of four months.
Questions regarding the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Internship Programme
- When is the application deadline for the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Internship Programme?
As intakes to the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Internship Programme are on an ongoing basis, there is no specific recruitment period. However, there may be specific vacancy notices for internship positions requiring particular qualifications and skillsets published on the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's e-Recruitment website.
- How many interns does the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Internship Programme take each year?
The number of interns we recruit varies each year, but the total number is on average about 80 interns per year.
- Can I take any days off during my internship at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
Interns are entitled to 2.5 days leave per month at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ. A Leave Request Form must be filled in and approved by the supervisor before taking any leave.
- Are positions in the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Internship Programme paid?
All costs connected with the internship are borne by the intern. Travel costs and living accommodation are also the responsibility of the intern. However, the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ will contribute CHF 60 per day (including weekends and official holidays that occur within the selected periods) towards the expenses of interns.
- When and how would I be informed about the outcome of my application to the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Internship Programme?
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted by email by the Human Resources Division or the hiring division.
- Do I have to be a Swiss national or holder of a valid Swiss work permit in order to apply for the internship programmes at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ will apply for a Carte de Légitimation (CDL) for non-Swiss citizens. The CDL will be granted for the duration of your internship contract and enables you to live in Switzerland and work for the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ. However, you might need to apply for a visa to enter Switzerland, depending on the country you come from. The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ will provide relevant documents to assist you in obtaining the visa.
- Where can I find information about divisions at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Secretariat and the work that they do?
You can find a list of divisions in the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ Secretariat, along with a short description of each division, in the link below:
/english/thewto_e/secre_e/div_e.htm
- Do I have to be covered by health insurance during my internship at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
Yes, health insurance coverage is mandatory for participation in the internship programmes at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ, and interns are responsible for their own insurance cover for illness and accidents while they are working at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ. Health insurance must be LAMal approved.
- Am I subject to Swiss taxes and social security payments?
Once you join the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ, you will need to register yourself for both Swiss taxes and social security, and even though you may not be asked to pay taxes, you will be asked to contribute to social security. For more information, please visit this link . The link explains the responsibilities of holders of carte de legitimation "H" which may be issued to interns once they commence their internship and which serves as a work and residence permit for the duration of their internship.
Questions regarding the Young Professionals Programme (YPP)
- What is the aim of the YPP at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
The programme aims to widen the pool of professionals from developing and least-developed countries who can subsequently improve their chances of being recruited by the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ and/or other regional and international organizations.
- Can I extend my contract after one year in the YPP at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ?
The duration of the YPP at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ is one year without extension. Participants in the YPP, however, are welcome to apply for external vacancies that are posted on the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's e-Recruitment website.
- How many places are offered in the YPP?
The intake varies from year to year.
- When is the application deadline for the YPP?
When the call for applications for the YPP is published on the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's e-Recruitment website, the deadline will be indicated.
![e-recruitement](/images/img_vacan/newHRpicture_360X204.jpg)
. Vous y trouverez les avis de vacance et pourrez déposer votre candidature. Vous pourrez également suivre l'état d'avancement de la procédure pour les postes pour lesquels vous avez postulé.
Tous les ressortissants de Membres de l'OMC, femmes et hommes, âgés de moins de 65 ans, sont invités à présenter leur candidature. La liste des Membres est disponible ici.
L'OMC ne perçoit aucun frais à aucun stade de la procédure de recrutement. Si vous avez des questions concernant des personnes ou entreprises qui prétendent recruter au nom de l'OMC moyennant des frais, merci d'écrire immédiatement à l'adresse [email protected].
Si vous rencontrez des difficultés techniques lors de l'utilisation de la plate-forme de recrutement externe, vous pouvez envoyer un message à l'adresse [email protected]