Apply for WEF Early Career Programme in Business and Government Engagement The World Economic Forum (WEF) is dedicated to improving the state of the world and serves as the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum brings together prominent political, business, and societal leaders to collaborate on projects and initiatives, both digitally and physically, addressing industry, regional, and systemic challenges. At WEF, we value talents as an essential and vibrant part of our organization. Through the WEF Early Career Programme in Business and Government Engagement, we welcome young professionals from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, skills, and experiences. We invite applicants interested in engaging with Forum constituents, contributing to building expert knowledge, and supporting organizational strategic operations.
WEF Early Career Programme in Business and Government Engagement: Application Guidance
The positions we offer are best suited for recent graduates, preferably at the master’s level, with at least one previous professional experience.
What we expect from applicants:
- Diplomat 5
- A detailed and updated resume
- Your cover letter indicating the desired role and explaining your interest
Conditions and Benefits of the WEF Early Careers Programme in Business and Government Engagement
- Full-time onsite employment contract of 6 months with the World Economic Forum Geneva office
- Flexible start dates between September 1st and October 15th, 2023
- Monthly gross compensation of CHF 4’400.- (salary: CHF 4’050- plus health benefits: CHF 350-)
- All required technological equipment (laptop and mobile phone) and accesses
- Minimal travel support
Role 1: Business Engagement, Latin America
As a partnership organization, the Forum’s Business Engagement Group collaborates with businesses to address industry, regional, and systemic issues. The Business Engagement (BE) teams, organized geographically, are responsible for building, managing, and developing communities of business partners in different regions. The objective is to advance critical topics facing the emerging world through collaboration with government, industry, academia, and civil society leaders.
Preferred qualification and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Some experience in client-facing functions and the private sector
- Excellent written and verbal fluency in Portuguese and English (fluency in Spanish is also helpful)
Desired skills:
- Customer focus, resilience, and diligence in managing external and internal demands
- Sales agility, critical thinking, ability to synthesize viewpoints, consult broadly, and collaborate with the team
- Business analysis skills, aptitude for computational thinking and data analytics, familiarity with CRM systems
Role 2: Centre for Energy and Materials, Policy Engagement and Regional Action
The Forum’s Centre for Energy and Materials (ENMAT) aims to accelerate a sustainable, secure, and just energy and materials transition that meets future societal needs. The Centre engages leaders from the public and private sectors to deliver new insights and foster multistakeholder collaborations at the global, regional, and national levels. Through its interrelated programs, the Centre for ENMAT creates impact and value for constituents in business, government, and civil society.
Preferred qualification and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, business administration, or other relevant fields
- Experience with local/national/international policy-making entities
- Strong organization, project, and CRM management skills
Desired skills:
- Stakeholder engagement, ability to build relationships and maintain connections with multiple stakeholders
- Organization, planning, and coordination skills
- Communication skills, narrative development (English native or perfect fluency)
- Analytical skills, translating relationships into operational needs
Role 3: Centre for Regional, Trade and Geopolitics, CEO Action Group for the European Green Deal
The Europe and Eurasia Team leads relations with governments in the region and drives the Forum’s regional agenda. The team is also responsible for leading the Forum’s work with the CEO Action Group for the European Green Deal. This community of over 50 CEOs was established in collaboration with the European Commission to enhance the private sector’s role in supporting the EU’s green transition and the continent’s industrial competitiveness.
Preferred qualifications and experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in sustainability, social sciences, economics, or similar field, with academic or professional experience related to the European Green Deal agenda as an advantage
- Experience working in or with government or international institutions
- Experience managing relationships, projects, and meetings
Desired skills:
- Excellent analytical skills, including quantitative analysis
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational skills, including project and event management
Role 4: Regional and Government Affairs, Middle East and North Africa
Preferred qualification and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, business administration, or other relevant fields
- Understanding of the cultural context in the MENA region
- Strong mastery of English for written and verbal communication. Fluency in French and/or Arabic is a plus
Desired skills:
- Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Service-orientation, focusing on delivering value to constituents and teammates
Role 5: Swiss Public Affairs and Sustainability
The World Economic Forum’s Swiss Public Affairs Team manages the Forum’s interaction with Switzerland. It is responsible for establishing a trusted relationship with the host country through government engagement, integrating projects and activities at federal, cantonal, and communal levels. The team also promotes sustainable organizational practices and drives the Forum’s Net Zero strategy.
Preferred qualification and experience:
- University-level education
- Up to 2 years of work experience in project management/coordination, event management, or administration
- Ability to work with high-level government and business leaders, leading experts in academia and international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and grassroots organizations
Desired skills:
- Organization, planning, and coordination skills
- Communication skills, narrative development (English native orperfect fluency, fluency in German/Swiss German preferred)
- Analytical and data orientation
Apply Here for the WEF Early Career Programme in Business and Government Engagement.
