World Health Organization offers international internship program twice a year. The roster will be available to all WHO major offices from where it will contact suitable candidates only. In completing your profile, WHO Internship applicants may select up to 3 different work areas of interest.

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system. Further, it has 194 Member States and more than 7000 people working in 150 country offices, in 6 regional offices and at headquarter in Geneva. Also, the World Health Organization offers internship globally in our country and regional offices, as well as at headquarters.

The WHO internship programme has three objectives:

• to provide a framework for assigning students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes, while enhancing the educational experience through practical work assignments
• Likewise, to expose students to the work of WHO
• also, to provide WHO programmes with the assistance of students specializing in various fields.

WHO internship program places most students in health-related programmes. Although placements in other areas of work like for example communication, external relations, finance or human resources are also possible.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of a technical expert in the respective area, interns are assigned a project based on agreed terms of references and in line with their skills set. These terms of references typically include some or all of the following responsibilities:

• review literature and conduct literature surveys
• undertake web research and data collection on a specific subject area
• organize data and documents
• participate in the development of tools and guidelines
• assist in drafting, formatting and editing policy briefs, tool kits, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures and reports
• assist in organizing workshops, meetings, conferences, events
• participate in on-going departmental projects

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Have completed three years of full-time studies (bachelor’s level or equivalent) at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the assignment; AND be enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (applicants who have already graduated may also qualify for consideration provided that they start the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).

Skills
Core competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference
• Communication

All interns should be able to demonstrate the following skills in line with the WHO core competencies:

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Showing a willingness to learn from mistakes
• Producing and delivering quality results
• Working collaboratively with team members

In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software such as XLStat may be an advantage.

Experience
Depending on the area of interest, you may require the below experience to pose an advantage.

• Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
• Likewise, experience in the subject area through academic work or research
• Field and/or developing country experience
• Similarly, experience with data analysis, statistical packages and interest in the design of graphical display and analysis of health information in an international comparative perspective, such as for health system performance assessment
• Also, more specific experience such as specialized computer programmes

Languages

• Further, fluency in one of WHO’s working languages (reading, writing and speaking). WHO official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
• Also, knowledge of the local language in some duty stations can be an asset

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. WHO will only contact successful candidates.
• WHO Internships are not paid. Living abroad is expensive and finding accommodation can be challenging. All intern candidates should be aware of these factors before they consider applying for a WHO Internship.
• Interns are not eligible for appointment to any position in WHO for a period of three months following the end of the internship.
• If selected for a WHO Internship, you will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrolment in a course of studies and a medical certificate of fitness for work.

How To Apply

To Apply for the World Health Organization Internship, you may submit your application online along with your updated CV.

Deadline

You may apply for the WHO internship before the closing date set as 1 July 2019.