WHO Internship – Surveillance System department Open For International Applicants 2024-25
Introduction
The mission of WHO’s health emergencies Programme (the Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
WHO Internship – Surveillance System department Open For International Applicants 2024-25
The Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions, fostering impactful innovation, and leveraging technical, operational, and strategic partnerships. In addition, EPP develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental, or deliberate origin.
The department is committed to delivering risk assessment, technical guidance, interventions and control strategies for country impact, promoting innovation and adoption of new technologies, aligning and coordinating international action through trusted partnership, and ensuring vulnerable populations have access to life-saving interventions and supplies.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Terms of reference
Under the supervision of a technical expert in the respective area, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:
- Participate in the finalization of two risk assessment tools for Member States
- Participate in the publication of the two risk assessment tools on WHO website
- Participate in the dissemination and promotion of the risk assessment tools
- Participate in the exploration of the collaboration between the climate change unit and strategy and guideline unit
- Participate in the ongoing wastewater and environment surveillance projectÂ
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Learning objectives
The purpose of the WHO Internship Programme is to provide an enriching learning experience for students and recent graduates. The Learning Objectives outlined within each internship vacancy are a key component of the programme.
Within this internship, the intern will:
- Understand the objectives of the programme/area of workÂ
- Communicate clearly about the programme/area of workÂ
- Understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices and country officesÂ
- Know how to finalize documents before publishingÂ
- Know how to publish documents on WHO websiteÂ
- Know how to promote and disseminate finalized documents Â
- Prepare background documents for meetingsÂ
DURATION OF INTERNSHIP
13 weeks – tentative start date 17 February 2025
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Have completed the equivalent of five years of full-time studies in medicine 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 apply to the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).
Skills
Core competencies
- Team work
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- 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.
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Experience
- Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
- Experience with epidemiology, data analysis, statistical packagesÂ
- Experience in Public health at national level is an asset
- Experience in surveillance is an asset
- Experience in infectious diseases surveillance and prevention is an asset
Languages
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Expert knowledge of French.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Interns do not receive a salary. They do however receive a living allowance. The amount of living allowance is different in each duty station. Â The amount also depends on any other external financial support received by the intern (grant, scholarships, etc.) and whether their permanent residence is in the duty station of the internship. In Geneva, for interns with permanent residence in the duty station, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is 720 CHF per month.
For interns whose permanent residence is outside of the duty station, the maximum amount is 1620 CHF per month. The exact amount of the living allowance will be calculated for each intern, after selection, based on a legal financial disclosure form that the individual will complete. In addition, all interns in Geneva will receive a daily lumpsum amount for meal expenses (20 CHF per working day). WHO also provides all interns with accident and medical insurance coverage. Â Â Â
- Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contactedÂ
- 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.
- If selected for a WHO Internship, candidates will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrolment in an eligible course of studies, a completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work, and the contact details for reference checks.Â
- 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.
- WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.Â
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