Internship at the OECD Trento Centre

The OECD Trento Centre

The OECD Trento Centre for Local Development is part of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) of the OECD. The mission of the Trento Centre is to build capacities for local development in OECD member and non-member countries.

The Trento Centre’s work is structured around three dimensions: 

• Spatial Productivity Lab – A policy lab on issues related to spatial productivity. The analytic work of the SPL has a strong empirical focus on the mechanisms that support the catching up of regions and cities lagging behind the (national or global) productivity frontier. The Lab assesses to what extent national productivity can be raised through national, regional and local policy measures and how to close inter-regional gaps in productivity performance. 
• Policy  analysis and advice – The OECD Trento Centre supports national, regional and local governments in policy design and implementation through data analysis, the review of international practices and evidence-based recommendations.
• Capacity Building – Providing capacity building for people, places and institutions on issues related to local development. The OECD Trento Centre analyses the impact of policies at the local level and develops training curricula by connecting with wider OECD work. 

Internship opportunities are available within all streams of work.

We are a small team, so interns have the opportunity to be actively involved in a wide range of activities. Interns usually work on a specific project and also assist with other Trento Centre activities, such as conference and seminar preparation.

When can I apply for an internship?

We recruit interns on an on-going basis and applications are accepted throughout the year. You can apply anytime via our online application platform.

Your application will be considered for the round corresponding to the nearest of the four deadlines below:

• 1 April 2022 
• 1 June 2022
• 1 October 2022

Shortly after each deadline, all applications in the system are evaluated. Applicants who are not selected are removed from the system and are not considered during the next rounds.

The internship is expected to start in one/two months after the application deadline but an alternative timing can be agreed upon in certain circumstances.

What will I do?

Examples of work entrusted to interns include:

• Participating in the preparation of studies and documents;
• Carrying out research and reviews of existing materials;
• Collecting, organising and analysing data;
• Contributing to the production of documents, working papers and publications resulting from the above activities, including drafting notes and preparing technical annexes;
• Participating in meetings and seminars;
• Liaising and building networks with researchers and officials in national, regional or local administrations and other international organisations;
• Contributing to the organisation of events, communication, planning and evaluation.

The selection process

The selection process proceeds in four stages:

1. Screening of the applications: your online application is evaluated based on your set of skills, which are specific to each internship track, as well as your educational and professional background;
2. Written test: the shortlisted candidates from the Stage 1 may be invited to complete a written test administered over email;
3. Interview: the shortlisted candidates are invited for a panel skype interview;
4. Offer letter: if you are selected for the internship position, you will receive an e-mail with your internship offer letter from the OECD Trento Centre.

Contract duration and allowance

The duration of the internship is for a period of three to six months (renewable for another six months up to a total of twelve months; a shorter duration can be agreed upon in exceptional circumstances and only if fits with the OECD Trento Centre schedule), on a full-time basis (40 hours/week).

A contribution to living expenses of 725 euros per full month worked is granted to interns.

Are you interested?

You can submit your application anytime via the OECD online application platform.

We kindly ask you to upload into the OECD system a cover letter including the following information: 

• Interest in the OECD Trento Centre internship, specifying for which areas you are applying (1. Spatial Productivity Lab, 2. Policy analysis and advice and/or 3. Capacity Building);
• What you hope to gain from an internship at the OECD Trento Centre and the skills and knowledge that you would bring;
• Econometric packages, evaluation techniques and econometric models, and/or qualitative research methodologies, if any, with which you are proficient.

After you finalise the online application and submit it, please inform by email the Trento internship managers and we will review your candidature.

For more information on the OECD Trento Centre’s Internship Programme, please consult our frequently asked questions or contact us.