WHO Internship 2027 in Geneva – Global Tobacco Epidemic Report
Details
WHO Internship 2027 in Geneva – Global Tobacco Epidemic Report
The World Health Organization (WHO) is offering a six-month internship opportunity at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, for students and recent graduates interested in global health, health data, research and tobacco-control policy.
The internship is based in the Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention and will contribute to the development of the next WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic (GTCR), one of WHO’s flagship global health publications.
The selected intern will support research, data validation, web research, report preparation and other activities related to the 2027 edition of the report.
Quick Facts
- Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)
- Programme: WHO Internship Programme
- Position: Internship – Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention
- Job Reference: 2603774
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Duration: 6 months
- Internship Dates: 1 February – 16 July 2027
- Work Schedule: Full-time
- Application Deadline: 29 September 2026
- Field: Global Health, Public Health, Data Science and Tobacco Control
- Financial Support: Living allowance
- Insurance: Medical and accident insurance
- Lunch Support: CHF 20 per working day in Geneva
- Application Platform: WHO Stellis
About the WHO Internship
WHO’s Internship Programme provides students and recent graduates with practical exposure to international public health work.
Interns work within WHO technical or administrative programmes and gain experience in research, analysis, programme implementation and international collaboration. WHO states that its internship programme is intended to provide an enriching learning experience while also allowing WHO programmes to benefit from students with relevant academic backgrounds.
This particular internship is connected to the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, which tracks progress in tobacco-control policies across WHO Member States. The next edition of the report is scheduled for publication in 2027.
Internship Responsibilities
The selected intern will work under the supervision of a technical expert and may be responsible for:
- Proofreading drafts and revisions
- Cross-checking report content
- Conducting independent data validation
- Supporting analysis reported in the global tobacco report
- Conducting web research
- Collecting information and data on specific topics
- Organizing and validating data and documents
- Supporting preparations for the report launch
- Participating in ongoing departmental projects
This internship therefore combines research, data analysis, health information management and international public health communication.
Learning Opportunities
The internship is designed to help participants develop an understanding of how global health programmes operate.
By the end of the internship, participants are expected to gain experience in:
- Understanding global tobacco-control policies
- Monitoring policy progress
- Collecting and validating health data
- Preparing comprehensive analyses
- Communicating research findings effectively
- Working with stakeholders from different backgrounds
- Understanding the roles of WHO headquarters, regional offices and country offices
- Contributing to the production of a major international health report
This makes the position particularly relevant to students interested in public health research, epidemiology, health policy, data science and international development.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the WHO internship requirements as well as the specific requirements listed for this vacancy.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Completed the equivalent of three years of full-time university study in a health- or data-science-related subject before starting the internship; and
- Be enrolled in a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification.
Applicants who have already graduated may also be considered if they apply within 18 months of completing their formal qualification.
WHO’s general internship programme also states that applicants must be at least 20 years old at the date of application, hold a valid passport from a WHO Member State and must not have previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme.
Required Skills and Experience
Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
- Strong teamwork skills
- Effective written and oral communication
- Willingness to learn
- Ability to produce quality work
- Ability to work collaboratively
- Familiarity with common computer programmes such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Experience in the following areas is particularly relevant:
- Research
- Report writing
- Data analysis
- Statistical software
- Health information analysis
- Academic research related to the internship subject area
- Graphical presentation of health information
Experience with specialized data-analysis or statistical programmes may be an advantage.
Language Requirements
Essential
Expert knowledge of English
Desirable
Intermediate knowledge of another UN language.
Strong English communication skills are therefore important for applicants who want to be considered for this position.
Financial Support and Benefits
Although WHO interns do not receive a salary, eligible interns receive a living allowance.
For the Geneva duty station, the current vacancy states:
- Up to CHF 1,680 per month for interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva
- Up to CHF 739 per month for interns whose permanent residence is in Geneva
- CHF 20 lunch voucher per working day
- Medical insurance
- Accident insurance
The exact living allowance is calculated after selection and depends on factors including the intern’s other external financial support and permanent residence.
Applicants should also consider that Geneva has a high cost of living and accommodation can be difficult to find, so candidates should plan their finances carefully before accepting an internship.
Internship Duration and Location
The internship will take place at:
World Health Organization Headquarters
Geneva, Switzerland
Internship Period
1 February 2027 – 16 July 2027
The position is full-time and lasts approximately six months.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official WHO online recruitment system (Stellis).
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official WHO Careers website.
- Search for internship vacancy 2603774.
- Review the complete job description and requirements.
- Create or access your WHO candidate profile.
- Complete the online application accurately.
- Provide your education, research experience and relevant skills.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
- Keep the automated application acknowledgement for your records.
WHO states that internship applications are accepted only through the vacancy notices published on its Careers website and submitted through the online recruitment system.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for this internship is:
29 September 2026 at 2:59 AM as displayed on the vacancy page.
WHO notes that the displayed deadline can reflect the applicant’s device/system settings, so candidates should check the deadline shown in their own application system and submit well before the closing time.
Selection Process
WHO internships are highly competitive. WHO states that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
If selected for further consideration, candidates may need to provide:
- Certified proof of enrolment in an eligible programme
- WHO medical certificate of fitness for work
- Reference-check information
WHO also conducts appropriate background verification for final candidates.
Who Should Apply?
This internship could be particularly relevant for students and recent graduates studying:
- Public Health
- Global Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Sciences
- Data Science
- Biostatistics
- Health Policy
- Health Systems
- Statistics
- Medicine and related disciplines
Candidates with experience in research, data analysis, statistical software and health-related reporting may be especially well aligned with the duties described in the vacancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this WHO internship paid?
WHO describes the position as an internship without a salary. However, eligible interns receive a living allowance. In Geneva, the maximum currently listed is CHF 1,680 per month for interns whose permanent residence is outside the duty station.
Where is the internship located?
The internship is based at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
How long is the internship?
The internship runs from 1 February to 16 July 2027, approximately six months.
Can recent graduates apply?
Yes. WHO allows applicants who have already graduated to be considered if they apply within 18 months of completing their formal qualification, provided they meet the other requirements.
Do I need data-analysis experience?
The vacancy specifically lists experience with research, report drafting, data analysis and statistical packages as relevant experience. Therefore, candidates with these skills should highlight them clearly in their applications.
Does WHO provide accommodation?
The vacancy does not state that WHO provides accommodation. Applicants should plan for their own accommodation and consider the high cost of living in Geneva.
Is there an application fee?
WHO warns applicants about recruitment scams and states that it never asks candidates for money for recruitment. Applications should be submitted through the official WHO Careers system.
Final Thoughts
The WHO Internship – Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience in international public health while contributing to the preparation of the 2027 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic.
The position is particularly relevant for candidates with backgrounds in health sciences, public health, data science, research and statistics, and those interested in global health policy and evidence-based decision-making.
With the internship scheduled for February–July 2027 and the application deadline on 29 September 2026, eligible candidates should prepare and submit their applications through the WHO recruitment system before the closing time.
Specifications
| Type of Opportunity | Internships |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Ongoing |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Open to | All Nationalities |