WIPO Ethics Office Internship 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland | Paid United Nations Internship for Law and International Relations Graduates

The World Intellectual Property Organization Ethics Office Internship 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland is now open for applications. This highly competitive United Nations internship offers an exceptional opportunity for graduate students and recent graduates in law, ethics, public international law, compliance, and related fields to gain hands-on experience within one of the world’s leading international organizations.

Hosted at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, the internship provides successful candidates with practical exposure to ethics policy development, international civil service law, legal research, compliance frameworks, and ethics advisory work within the UN system. The internship is expected to begin on October 1, 2026, with an initial duration of six months and the possibility of renewal up to a maximum of twelve months.

The application deadline is June 19, 2026.

WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting innovation and protecting intellectual property globally. Through this internship, selected interns will work directly within the Ethics Office under the supervision of the Chief Ethics Officer and contribute to maintaining integrity, ethical conduct, and accountability across the organization.

This opportunity is ideal for aspiring international lawyers, ethics professionals, compliance officers, policy researchers, and individuals interested in careers within the United Nations system.

About the WIPO Ethics Office Internship

The WIPO Ethics Office Internship Program is designed to help interns:

• Complement their academic studies with practical international experience
• Develop legal, analytical, and policy-related skills
• Gain exposure to ethics and integrity systems within the United Nations
• Understand international civil service law and governance
• Build professional networks within international organizations

The internship is based entirely on-site in Geneva, Switzerland, and cannot be completed remotely.

Interns will work within the Ethics Office under the Sector of the Director General. The Ethics Office plays a crucial role in ensuring that all WIPO personnel uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct according to:

• The WIPO Convention
• WIPO Staff Regulations and Rules
• The WIPO Code of Ethics
• Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service

The office also provides confidential ethics advice, develops ethics-related policies, conducts awareness campaigns, and protects personnel from retaliation or reprisals.

Internship Location and Duration

Internship Location

• Geneva, Switzerland

Expected Start Date

• October 1, 2026

Internship Duration

• Initial duration of 6 months
• Renewable up to 12 months maximum

Working Arrangement

• Full-time
• 40 hours per week
• On-site internship at WIPO headquarters

Financial Benefits and Internship Support

Selected interns will receive several benefits during the internship period.

Monthly Stipend

Interns will receive:

• 2,170 Swiss francs per month

Additional Benefits

The internship package also includes:

• Medical insurance
• Annual leave
• Sick leave benefits
• Technical supervision and mentorship
• Professional development within the UN system

This stipend is intended for full-time participation in the internship program.

What Interns Will Do

Interns will support the Ethics Office in legal, policy, communication, and research-related tasks.

Main Responsibilities Include

1. Ethics and Policy Research

• Conduct research for new or revised ethics policies
• Analyze ethics-related frameworks within the UN system
• Support comparative legal and policy studies

2. Legal Research and Fact-Finding

• Collect information and documentation related to ethics cases
• Conduct jurisprudence and international civil service law research
• Assist with legal analysis and policy interpretation

3. Ethics Advisory Support

• Assist in preparing ethics-related guidance
• Support the development of confidential advisory materials

4. Communication and Awareness Activities

• Contribute to ethics outreach campaigns
• Help prepare educational materials and presentations
• Assist in awareness-raising initiatives

5. Documentation and Administrative Tasks

• Draft memoranda, reports, and correspondence
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations
• Support updates to Ethics Office web pages and intranet content

6. Additional Tasks

• Perform other related duties assigned by the Chief Ethics Officer

Eligibility Criteria

WIPO specifies that this internship falls under Category II internships.

Applicants must belong to one of the following categories:

Eligible Applicants Include

1. Individuals pursuing their first advanced university degree who have completed coursework but not their final thesis
2. Individuals who already hold one advanced degree and are pursuing another university degree
3. Individuals who obtained their most recent advanced university degree less than two years before applying

Educational Requirements

Essential Requirement

Applicants must possess:

• An advanced degree in law (Master’s level preferred)

Preferred academic specializations include:

• Public international law
• Organizational ethics
• Compliance
• International civil service law

Desirable Qualification

• Specialization in international civil service law

Preferred Experience

While not mandatory, WIPO values applicants with:

• Previous experience in international organizations
• Policy research experience
• Experience developing communication materials
• Familiarity with ethics or compliance systems

Language Requirements

Essential

• Excellent written and spoken English

Desirable

• Very good knowledge of French

Skills and Competencies Required

WIPO is seeking candidates with strong professional and interpersonal skills.

Key Competencies Include

• Excellent analytical abilities
• Strong legal drafting skills
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Teamwork and flexibility
• Integrity and professionalism
• Sound judgment
• Confidentiality handling skills
• Strong organizational capacity
• Ability to work with sensitive information

Technical Skills

Applicants should also be proficient in:

• Microsoft Office applications
• Zoom
• Digital collaboration tools
• Online communication systems

Organizational Competencies

Interns are expected to demonstrate:

• Effective communication
• Integrity
• Service orientation
• Innovation and adaptability
• Team spirit
• Respect for diversity
• Result-oriented performance
• Continuous learning

Why This Internship Is Important

This WIPO internship is a major opportunity for individuals seeking careers in:

• International law
• Human rights
• Ethics and compliance
• UN agencies
• International governance
• Public policy
• Diplomacy
• Global institutions

Interns will gain first-hand exposure to how ethics systems function inside a major international organization and develop practical experience that can significantly strengthen future career prospects.

How to Apply for the WIPO Ethics Office Internship 2026

Applicants must submit the following documents:

Required Documents

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Submission Instructions

Applications should be sent by email to:

• erecruit@wipo.int

Required Subject Line

• Ethics Internship position 2026

Important Note

For LinkedIn Easy Apply submissions:

• Combine both the CV and cover letter into one PDF file

Applications without both documents will not be considered.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the WIPO Ethics Office Internship 2026 is:

June 19, 2026

Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Applicants can learn more about the internship program on here

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