The Multilateral Diplomacy Programme Unit (MDPU) of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) maintains a traineeship programme for students/recent graduates interested in gaining professional experience in a multicultural environment and enhancing their understanding of the United Nations system.

MDPU develops and delivers training activities in close partnership with governments, universities and selected international organisations. MDPU’s activities also include online training programmes; special projects, advisory services and the development of other training tools and publications.

MDPU welcomes qualified candidates interested to work for a period of two to three months, at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva. The placement is on an unpaid basis, but a monthly lump-sum of 900 CHF will be provided towards transportation and miscellaneous costs.

In line with the Institute’s efforts to strengthen multilateralism, the spirit of international cooperation and global solidarity, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme Unit is developing a series of training activities implemented both face-to-face and online.

Field Visits are 1-2 weeks of length, mostly taking place in summer (July and August 2025) and allow participants to experience Geneva`s multilateral environment first-hand. They entail a series of expert lectures, training workshops, guided tours, visits of UN agencies, multilateral conferences and cultural activities.

Online Training Programmes last between 2-4 weeks, mostly take place in summer (July and August 2025) and are entirely implemented on UNITAR`s e-Learning platform. They comprise e-Learning modules, live-webinars, e-workshops and virtual guided tours. Live components are delivered through the software Zoom.

Under the supervision of the Associate Programme Officer of UNITAR’s Multilateral Diplomacy Programme Unit, the trainee will assist in the preparation and implementation of a number of Field Visits and Online Training, mostly taking place in July and August 2025.

The trainee will assist in, inter alia, liaising with the partner institutions, collecting information about participants, preparing necessary required documents for the partner institution, managing content on the virtual e-Learning platform and preparing arrangements for the arrival of participants for the field visits to Geneva.

The trainee will also help facilitate the live-components in the online training programmes and accompany the groups during the implementation of the field visits to Geneva. Typical tasks assigned to the trainee may include the following:

• Coordination of logistics before, during and after the training programmes;
• Facilitation and monitoring of face-to-face and online training sessions;
• Support of the programme in its outreach and communication strategy;
• Creation and improvement of online and other training material;

After the assignment the trainee should be able to:

• Translate strategic vision into actionable objectives;
• Work independently and take initiative;
• Develop a professional rapport with UNITAR and United Nations staff;
• Propose ways to further UNITAR’s mission;
• Work in a multicultural environment.

Start date: Tuesday 01 April 2025 (exact date to be discussed with prospective candidate)

Duration: 6 months (exact length to be discussed with prospective candidate). Traineeship is on a full-time basis and trainees are expected to work five days a week, office-based in Geneva, Switzerland.