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.