Intern – International Trade & Investment

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL ONLY. Send your CV and a short motivation in the body of your email to info@itiaglobal.com. A separate cover letter is not required. Applications submitted only through Magnet.me will not be considered.

Availability: 3–5 days per week

Starting date: Between 7 and 18 September 2026

Duration: Minimum 4 months; preferably 6 months or longer

Application deadline: 4 September 2026

About ITIA

International Trade and Investment Agency (ITIA) supports governments, embassies, economic development organisations and agencies (EDOs), and international companies with trade promotion, investment attraction, market entry, and international business development.

Our public-sector clients include national, regional, and local economic development organisations seeking to attract foreign investors, promote exports, organise trade missions, and connect companies with international opportunities.

From our office in The Hague, we work on international projects involving market research, FDI lead generation, investor and company outreach, business matchmaking, economic diplomacy, trade missions, and international expansion within and beyond Europe.

About the internship

We are looking for a motivated English-speaking intern to support our team with international trade and investment projects.

You will gain practical experience in market research, international business development, investment attraction, economic diplomacy, client acquisition, and project execution. You will work directly with experienced colleagues and support assignments for governments, embassies, EDOs, and international companies.

The position combines analytical research with practical execution and contact with companies, investors, public organisations, and other international stakeholders. As you gain experience, you will receive greater independence and responsibility within projects.

Possible responsibilities

Your activities may include:

• Researching international markets, sectors, trade developments, investment opportunities, and expansion strategies;
• Identifying and qualifying potential investors, trade partners, prospective clients, and relevant decision-makers;
• Supporting FDI lead-generation and investment-attraction projects for governments and economic development organisations;
• Preparing targeted company and investor lists, market analyses, company profiles, briefings, presentations, and other project materials;
• Drafting personalised outreach and approaching relevant companies and stakeholders through professional channels;
• Supporting ITIA’s client-acquisition, business-development, and partnership-building activities;
• Preparing, coordinating, and following up on B2B and government-to-business meetings;
• Maintaining project information and contact records using professional research, data, CRM, and AI tools;
• Supporting clients and project partners with research, communication, and practical follow-up;
• Where relevant to a client assignment, contributing to trade fairs, business events, trade missions, or international delegation programmes.

Depending on the assignment, you may also interact with international business leaders, trade organisations, investors, and public-sector representatives. Involvement in external activities depends on the relevant client assignment and is not a standard component of every internship.

Your profile

We are looking for someone who:

• Has full professional proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Is available for 3–5 days per week;
• Can commit for at least 4 months, preferably 6 months or longer;
• Is interested in international trade, foreign direct investment, economic development, economic diplomacy, or international business development;
• Is curious and motivated to learn about companies, sectors, and international markets;
• Can work independently and accurately and takes responsibility for agreed tasks;
• Proactively identifies opportunities, takes initiative, and follows up on responsibilities without requiring continuous direction;
• Communicates professionally with companies, governments, and other organisations;
• Can work with research, information, and project documentation in a structured manner;
• Can work primarily from ITIA’s office in The Hague, particularly during the initial onboarding period.

Previous relevant work or internship experience is welcomed but not required. Motivation, curiosity, reliability, independence, and a willingness to learn and take initiative are particularly important to us.

French is a strong advantage and is directly applicable to many of ITIA’s international assignments. Knowledge of Dutch and/or German is also appreciated and may become increasingly relevant depending on ITIA’s evolving project and client needs during the internship. Proficiency in any other language is considered an advantage.

Candidates completing the internship as part of a university or other educational programme are preferred, but current enrolment is not a strict requirement. Recent graduates and other motivated candidates are also welcome to apply.

Relevant fields of study may include international business, international relations, economics, European studies, political science, public administration, marketing, communications, or a comparable discipline. Candidates from other academic backgrounds with a demonstrable interest in the position are equally welcome.

What we offer

• Practical experience in international trade, foreign direct investment, and economic development;
• Direct involvement in assignments for economic development organisations, governments, embassies, and international companies;
• Insight into how EDOs attract investors, promote exports, and help companies expand into new markets;
• Guidance in market research, FDI lead generation, outreach, business matchmaking, client acquisition, and international business development;
• Collaboration with experienced colleagues and direct involvement in real client assignments;
• Meaningful work and responsibilities that can support future job or master’s programme applications;
• Increasing independence and responsibility as the internship progresses;
• Experience with professional research, data, CRM, and AI tools;
• A multilingual and internationally oriented working environment;
• A monthly internship allowance determined by ITIA’s capacity and the candidate’s weekly availability, relevant experience, language skills, and alignment with current project needs. Depending on the candidate’s profile, the internship may be unpaid or include an allowance of €100, €200, or €300 per month;
• Additional opportunities to earn performance-based commission.

The applicable allowance arrangement will be discussed transparently during the selection process.

The internship will primarily take place at our office in The Hague. Candidates living within commuting distance are preferred, but applicants from other locations are welcome provided they can work from the office regularly. A strong in-person presence is particularly important during the initial period. Some hybrid flexibility may be considered later, on a case-by-case basis.

Where ITIA’s client portfolio and project volume allow, strong performance and mutual satisfaction may create the possibility of discussing a suitable continuation after the internship. Any such opportunity depends on client growth, the number of available assignments, and ITIA’s staffing needs at that time.

Career development and future opportunities

The internship is designed to provide practical experience that can strengthen your profile for future international career and educational opportunities.

Former ITIA interns and team members have used their experience as a foundation for:

• Positions at embassies and other internationally oriented public organisations;
• Trade and investment roles within economic development organisations worldwide, including investment attraction, investor support, export promotion, and international market entry;
• Business-development and expansion roles with international companies in the Netherlands and abroad;
• European sales and account-management roles at major North American technology companies;
• Successful admission to selective international master’s programmes.

Future outcomes naturally depend on each intern’s performance, ambitions, and personal circumstances. ITIA aims to provide interns with substantive responsibilities and demonstrable international experience on which they can continue to build.

Performance-based commission opportunities

In addition to any applicable monthly internship allowance, all ITIA interns can earn performance-based commission.

The availability of commission depends on the projects and activities involved, as not every assignment is commission-based. Interns may be involved in client-acquisition activities but are also encouraged to identify potential clients for ITIA independently. A new client contract originated by an intern may qualify, regardless of whether client acquisition formed part of their originally assigned activities.

For new client contracts, the indicative commission level increases according to the intern’s involvement:

• 5% of the total contract value for originating the client contract;
• 10% when the intern also contributes to securing the contract;
• 15–20%, or more in exceptional cases, when the intern also contributes substantially to project execution.

Separately, when ITIA receives a commission for a project, an intern who contributes directly to that project may receive 35% or more of the commission received by ITIA, depending on their involvement.

The applicable commission is determined according to the intern’s contribution and the commercial structure of the relevant contract.

Application process

Please send your CV and a short motivation in the body of your email to info@itiaglobal.com by 4 September 2026. A separate cover letter is not required.

Please include your:

• Weekly availability;
• Preferred starting date between 7 and 18 September 2026;
• Intended internship duration;
• Current location or expected commuting arrangements.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are therefore encouraged to apply early. If we identify a suitable candidate before the deadline, we may complete the recruitment process and close the vacancy early.

Applications are accepted by email only. Applications submitted only through Magnet.me will not be considered.

More information about ITIA is available at https://itiaglobal.com/