Launch Your Public Health Career with WHO Internships

WHO Internship Programme: For Future Leaders in Public Health

Introduction

A competent and dynamic health workforce lies at the heart of every robust health system. It is essential for advancing global health goals. Countries require a pool of well-trained health professionals who understand the systems and processes within the health sector and can navigate the complex interactions among stakeholders in the international health arena.

Launch Your Public Health Career with WHO Internships

The World Health Organization (WHO), as a leader in global public health, is dedicated to building a diverse pool of future leaders in public health. The WHO Internship Programme offers an extensive range of opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain valuable insights into the technical and administrative functions of WHO. This exposure enriches their knowledge and experience across various areas, thereby contributing to the global advancement of public health.

Objectives of the WHO Internship Programme

The WHO Internship Programme aims to:

1. Provide a Structured Framework: Assign eligible students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes where their educational experiences can be enhanced through capacity-building opportunities.
2. Enhance WHO Programmes: Allow WHO programmes to benefit from the engagement of students specializing in various fields related to WHO’s technical and administrative operations.
3. Offer a Broad Spectrum of Internship Opportunities: Internships are available in technical areas and administrative programmes, including communication, external relations, and human resources.

Eligibility Criteria for Internships

To be eligible for an internship at WHO, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Candidates must be at least 20 years old at the time of application.
• Education: Candidates should be enrolled in a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate) in a field related to public health, medicine, social sciences, management, administration, communications, or external relations. Candidates who have completed their qualification may apply within six months following graduation. They must have completed three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution before starting the internship.

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in at least one of the working languages of the office of assignment is required.
• Family Relations: Candidates must not be related to a WHO staff member (e.g., son/daughter, brother/sister, or mother/father).
• Nationality: Candidates must hold a valid passport from a WHO Member State.
• Previous Participation: Candidates should not have previously participated in WHO’s Internship Programme.

Application Process

WHO invites candidates from around the world to apply to the WHO Global Internship Programme. All applications must be submitted through the internship position vacancy notices posted on the WHO Careers site using the WHO online recruitment system (Stellis). Applications made outside Stellis will not be considered. Detailed information on the recruitment process is available in the FAQs section.

Internship positions are posted continuously, each with different requirements and application deadlines. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to regularly check the internship page for new opportunities.

Benefits of the WHO Internship Programme

Interns benefit from several advantages during their tenure at WHO:

• Insurance Coverage: WHO provides medical and accident insurance coverage during the internship period. However, insurance coverage before the start date and after the end date, including travel to and from the duty station, is the intern’s responsibility.
• Living Allowance: Since January 2020, WHO offers a living allowance to eligible interns requiring financial support. Eligibility is assessed based on the legal Declaration of Interests form, which interns must complete.
• Lunch Vouchers: Some duty stations may provide lunch vouchers.

Candidate Obligations Before Internship Offer

Before an internship offer is extended, candidates must:

1. Availability: Be available to work full-time for a minimum of six weeks up to a maximum of 24 weeks, depending on the WHO technical unit’s needs.
2. Proof of Enrollment or Completion: Provide proof of enrollment in a course of studies or proof of completion of their last qualification.
3. Declaration of Interest: Disclose any circumstances that could lead to a potential conflict of interest related to their assignment, including financial support for the internship.
4. Medical Fitness: Submit the completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work form.
5. Document Submission: Do not send any documents until specifically requested.

Further Information

Interns do not hold the status of WHO staff members and are not authorized to represent the organization officially. WHO interns cannot be appointed to any non-staff position within WHO for three months following their internship. However, this restriction does not apply to temporary or longer-term staff positions if the vacancy has been advertised and a competitive process completed. Interns can apply as external candidates to any vacant positions open to external candidates.

WHO only recognizes higher educational qualifications from institutions accredited by the World Higher Education Database (WHED), updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO. Internships at WHO are highly competitive, with only a small number of applicants selected annually. Successful candidates will be contacted directly. Unsuccessful candidates may reapply to other positions if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Internships in Geneva, Switzerland

For internships in Geneva, candidates should be aware of the high cost of living and the challenges in finding accommodation, despite WHO providing a living allowance to eligible interns.

Conclusion

The WHO Internship Programme is an invaluable opportunity for aspiring public health professionals to gain hands-on experience and contribute to global health initiatives. By participating in this programme, interns not only enhance their educational journey but also play a role in advancing public health worldwide.

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