World Health Organisation (WHO) Internship Programme 2019

Application Deadline: June 30th 2019

World Health Organisation (WHO) as the leader in global public health issues is committed to building a diverse pool of future leaders in public health. WHO’s Internship Programme offers a wide range of opportunities for graduate and postgraduate students to gain insight in the technical and administrative programmes of WHO while enriching their knowledge and experience in the health field, thereby contributing to the advancement public health.

The objectives of the internship programme are to:

• Provide a framework for assigning postgraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes that can enhance their educational experience through practical assignments.
• Expose students to the work of WHO.
• Provide WHO programmes with input from students specializing in various fields. Most students are placed in health-related programmes, although other disciplines can be considered as appropriate such as communication, external relations or human resources.

The duration of WHO internships is between six to twenty four weeks depending on the needs of the WHO technical unit and the intern’s availability. WHO internships are not paid and all costs of travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the intern candidate.

Requirements:

Y ou are at least twenty years of age on the date of application.

You are enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (graduate or postgraduate) (applicants who have already graduated may also qualify for consideration provided that they apply to the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).

You have completed three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing (bachelor’s level or equivalent) the assignment. You possess a first degree in a public health, medical or social field related to the technical work of WHO or a degree in a management-related or administrative field. You are not related to a WHO staff member (e.g., son/daughter, brother/sister, or mother/father).

You are fluent at least in one of the working language of the office of assignment. You have not previously participated in WHO’s Internship Programme.

You hold a valid passport of a WHO Member State.

EQUIRED 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

• Team work
• 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 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, the below experience may be needed and/or would be an advantage.

• Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
• Experience in the subject area through academic work or research 
• Field and/or developing country experience 
• 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 
• More specific experience such as specialized computer programmes 

Languages

• Fluency in one of WHO’s working languages (reading, writing and speaking). WHO official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish 
• 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. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
• 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.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Internship Programme 2019