WHO Internship Programme

For future leaders in public health

A competent and dynamic health workforce at the heart of each health system is essential to advance global health goals. Countries need a pool of health professionals trained and exposed to the systems and processes in the health sector and who understand how stakeholders interact within the international health arena.

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 students and recent graduates to gain insight into the technical and administrative programmes of WHO and enrich their knowledge and experience in various areas, thereby contributing to the advancement of public health.

Who is eligible for an internship?

Age: You are at least twenty years of age on the date of application.

Education: You are enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate), in a public health, medical or social field related to the technical work of WHO, or in a management, administrative, communications, or external relations-related field. Applicants who have already completed a qualification may also qualify for consideration, if they apply to the internship within six months following the completion of the formal qualification. You have completed three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution prior to starting (bachelor’s level or equivalent) the internship.

Languages: You are fluent at least in one of the working languages of the office of assignment.

Family relation: You are not related to a WHO staff member (e.g., son/daughter, brother/sister, or mother/father).

Nationality: You hold a valid passport of a WHO Member State.

Other: You have not previously participated in WHO’s Internship Programme.

Benefits of the WHO Internship Programme

WHO provides all interns with medical and accident insurance coverage during the duration of the internship period. Insurance coverage before the start date of the internship and after the end date of the internship, including travel to and from the duty station location, is the sole personal and financial responsibility of the individual intern.

As of January 2020, WHO provides living allowance to eligible selected interns who need financial support. All interns must complete a legal Declaration of Interests form. This form requires intern candidates to declare any relevant financial disclosures, including any financial support in the form of grants bursaries, scholarships, etc. Based on the information provided in this form, the  intern candidates’ eligibility to receive financial support from WHO will be assessed.

Lunch vouchers may be provided at some duty stations.

Further information

Interns do not have the status of WHO staff members and shall not represent the Organization in any official capacity.

WHO interns are not eligible for appointment to any non-staff position within WHO for a period of three months following the end of their internship. However, no such restriction will apply to temporary or longer-term staff positions if the vacancy has been advertised and a competitive process completed. Any employment with WHO shall be subject to established recruitment and selection procedures. Interns and former interns are free to apply as external candidates to any vacant positions open to external candidates and for which they are qualified.

WHO does not sign any agreements, proposed or required by a sponsor, university or equivalent institution.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be selected every year. Only successful candidates will be contacted. If not selected, you may apply again to other posted internship positions if you are still interested and if you meet the eligibility criteria.

For internships in Geneva, Switzerland

An important reminder: Although WHO is now providing a living allowance to eligible interns (please see the exact amount in the vacancy notices), be aware that living in Geneva is expensive and finding accommodation can be challenging.