Deadline: The Regional Office accepts applications throughout the year | Apply here
Duration: 6 weeks – 6 months
Eligibility: students (least 20 years of age)  who are enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution (graduate or postgraduate); who has completed three years of full-time study at a university or equivalent institution

World Health Organization Internships 2017

World Health Organization is committed to building future leaders in public health and WHO’s internship programme provides a wide range of opportunities for graduate and postgraduate students to gain insight into the work of World Health Organization.

Definition of an intern at WHO

An intern is a student who is enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution (graduate or postgraduate); who has completed three years of full-time study at a university or equivalent institution; and who provides his/her services to the World Health Organization without remuneration. Interns do not have the status of WHO staff members and cannot represent the Organization in any official capacity.

Objectives of the programme

• provide a framework for assigning students from diverse academic backgrounds to World Health Organization programmes, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical assignments
• expose students to the work of WHO and 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

Eligibility criteria

WHO may accept applications from those who meet all of the following conditions:

• The applicant is at least 20 years of age on the date of application
• The applicant is enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (graduate or postgraduate). Applicants who apply for an internship within six months of completion of their formal qualification may also be considered
• The applicant has completed three years of full-time study at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the internship
• The intern is available for a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of three months. Exceptionally, through the approvals of the Head of the Technical Unit and the Director of the Division, the internship period may be extended up to six months to respond to special academic requirements or particular needs of the receiving programme.
• The applicant is fluent in at least one of the working languages of the office of the assignment.
• The applicant is not related to a WHO staff member as defined in staff rule 410.3 (e.g., son/daughter, brother/sister, or mother/father).
• The applicant has not previously participated in WHO’s internship programme.

Conditions of internship

World Health Organization internships are not paid. Travel costs, travel arrangements, including visas, and living accommodation are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.

How to apply?

Send a detailed personal history form, including educational and practical experience, and a covering letter indicating areas of interest to the following e-mail address: intern@emro.who.int.

For more opportunities, check our opportunities sections and subscribe to our weekly newsletters.