APEC Secretariat Internship Program Launched

Calling bright sparks in the Asia-Pacific region - do you have the desire and skills to work in the Regional Secretariat, based in Singapore, which supports the APEC process? Are you interested in participatory and experiential internship work in a multicultural environment, learning new skills from seasoned diplomats and specialist professional staff? If your answer is 'yes' to these questions, then applying to become an APEC Secretariat Intern might be your next step.

Starting this year, the APEC Secretariat is seeking the services of qualified people in a range of professional fields with an interest in international trade and investment issues to become APEC Secretariat Interns. The APEC Secretariat Internship Program provides successful applicants with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the APEC forum, the most significant economic and trade forum in the region. Through practical work experience, interns will also learn about the APEC Secretariat and how it operates as the core support mechanism for the APEC process.

Internships will normally be offered for a period of 3 months. A mentor will be assigned to each intern to guide and supervise the intern's work. The work may include research, project management, publicity and, if applicable, some translation work. Where possible, interns will be invited to attend official functions and meetings as observers or staffers. The timing of an attachment would depend on the availability of a mentor.

Only nationals and permanent residents of APEC Member Economies are eligible to apply for an APEC Secretariat Internship. Interns must possess an undergraduate degree and may be enrolled, or planning to enroll, in a full-time graduate study program (second university degree or higher). Candidates should preferably have a strong interest in the work of international organizations and, in particular, international affairs and international economics. The ability to work in written and spoken English and computing skills are essential.

At the end of the attachment, the intern will be asked to complete an evaluation form to provide feedback on the attachment and to offer suggestions on possible areas for improvement. The mentor will complete an evaluation form on the performance and work undertaken by the intern and the Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat will provide a written reference for the intern.

If this scheme is of interest to you, please click on the Find out More link below and read through the APEC Secretariat Internship Framework document before completing an application form and sending it to Director (Administration) at the APEC Secretariat.