WHO internship programme

A competent and dynamic health workforce at the heart of each health system is essential to advance global health goals. Countries need to have a pool of health professionals who are trained and exposed to the systems and processes in the health sector and 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 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.

What we offer

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.  

Who we are looking for

You 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 start 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.

How to apply

Candidates from across the world are invited to express interest  in specific areas of work and organizational locations (regional  offices, country offices or headquarters).

All applications should be made through the Global Vacancy Notice posted on the WHO Careers site using the WHO corporate recruitment system (Stellis).

Application schedule

The vacancy notices are opened each year for six months at a time:

From January to June

From July to December

Exceptionally in 2018, the first global call for registration opens on 15 March (instead of January) and closes on 30 June.

Applications received for WHO Internships are made available to  technical units globally for review all year round. You are welcome to  apply at any time when the vacancy notice is open. A WHO technical unit  can contact you at any time regarding an internship during the six  months period when the Global Vacancy Notice is open. The period of time  for the review of applications is, therefore, indeterminate. If you do  not hear from a WHO Technical Unit during the first round of openings,  you are welcome to reapply during the second period as long as you still  meet the eligibility requirements.

(编辑 Jim）