Building a strong, competent, and dynamic health workforce is central to achieving global health goals. Across the world, countries need professionals who not only understand health systems, but who are also exposed to the complex processes, partnerships, and policies that shape health outcomes at national and international levels.
Recognizing this need, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the WHO Internship Programme, a prestigious opportunity designed to nurture the next generation of leaders in public health.
Contact for inquiries:
E-mail: interns@who.int
As the leading authority on global public health, WHO is committed to strengthening health systems by investing in young talent. The WHO Internship Programme provides students and recent graduates from diverse academic backgrounds with hands-on exposure to the Organization’s technical and administrative work, allowing them to contribute meaningfully while gaining invaluable professional experience.
About the WHO Internship Programme
The WHO Internship Programme is aimed at students and recent graduates who are passionate about public health, international development, and global cooperation. Interns are placed within WHO programmes across headquarters, regional offices, and country offices, where they work closely with experienced professionals on real-world health challenges.
Internships are available in both technical areas—such as public health, epidemiology, health systems strengthening, and medical research—and administrative or support functions, including communication, external relations, human resources, and management. This broad scope ensures that interns from a wide range of disciplines can find placements aligned with their academic training and career aspirations.
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By participating in the programme, interns gain first-hand insight into how WHO operates, how global health policies are developed, and how international stakeholders collaborate to improve health outcomes worldwide.
Objectives of the Programme
The WHO Internship Programme is guided by clear and impactful objectives:
- To provide a structured framework that assigns eligible students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes where their learning can be enhanced through practical, capacity-building opportunities.
- To enable WHO departments to benefit from the energy, ideas, and specialized knowledge of students and recent graduates across multiple disciplines.
- To expose interns to both technical and administrative programmes, helping them understand how different functions work together within an international organization.
Through these objectives, the programme creates a mutually beneficial environment where interns learn and contribute, while WHO strengthens its future talent pipeline.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The WHO Internship Programme has specific eligibility criteria to ensure fairness, diversity, and alignment with its mission.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be at least 20 years old at the time of application.
Educational Background
Candidates must be enrolled in, or have recently completed, a university degree (undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate). Eligible fields include:
- Public health, medicine, or social sciences related to WHO’s technical work
- Management, administration, communications, or external relations
Applicants who have already completed their qualification may still apply, provided they do so within six months of graduation. Additionally, candidates must have completed at least three years of full-time university studies prior to the start of the internship.
Language Skills
Applicants must be fluent in at least one of the working languages of the WHO office where they are applying.
Nationality and Legal Requirements
Candidates must hold a valid passport from a WHO Member State.
Family Relationship Rule
Applicants must not be related to a current WHO staff member (such as a parent, sibling, or child).
Previous Participation
Individuals who have previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme are not eligible to apply again.
How to Apply
WHO welcomes applications from candidates across the globe. However, it is important to note that all applications must be submitted online through the WHO Careers platform, using the official recruitment system known as Stellis. Applications sent outside this system are not accepted.
Internship opportunities are posted on a continuous basis, and each vacancy may have different requirements, locations, and deadlines. Positions are available across WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country offices. Because opportunities vary throughout the year, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to check the internship page regularly for new postings.
Detailed guidance on the recruitment process is available through WHO’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.
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Programme Updates
Until further notice, the WHO Internship Programme is on hold across all WHO offices. Applicants are advised to monitor the official WHO Careers website for updates regarding the resumption of internship opportunities.
Benefits of the WHO Internship Programme
While WHO internships are primarily learning experiences, the Organization provides several forms of support to selected interns.
- Medical and accident insurance is provided for the duration of the internship. Coverage outside the internship period, including travel to and from the duty station, is the intern’s responsibility.
- Since January 2020, WHO offers a living allowance to eligible interns who require financial support. Eligibility is assessed based on a mandatory Declaration of Interests, which includes disclosure of any grants, bursaries, or scholarships.
- Lunch vouchers may be available at some duty stations, depending on location.
These benefits aim to reduce financial barriers and promote greater diversity and inclusion among interns.
Candidate Obligations Before an Offer
Before an internship offer is finalized, candidates must meet several important obligations:
- Availability to work full-time for a minimum of six weeks, up to a maximum of 24 weeks, depending on departmental needs.
- Submission of proof of enrolment or proof of completion of the most recent qualification.
- Completion of a Declaration of Interest, including disclosure of any potential conflicts or financial support.
- Submission of a completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work before the internship begins.
- Candidates are advised not to send documents unless specifically requested.
Important Considerations and Further Information
WHO interns do not have the status of staff members and may not represent the Organization in any official capacity. Following the completion of an internship, former interns are not eligible for non-staff appointments at WHO for a period of three months, though they may apply for advertised staff positions through standard competitive recruitment processes.
WHO only recognizes degrees from institutions accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Internships are highly competitive, and only a limited number of applicants are selected each year. Only successful candidates are contacted.
For internships based in Geneva, Switzerland, applicants should note that the cost of living is high and accommodation can be difficult to secure, even with the living allowance.
Conclusion
The WHO Internship Programme represents a unique opportunity for aspiring professionals to engage directly with global health issues while gaining exposure to one of the world’s most influential international organizations. Although competitive, the programme offers unparalleled learning, networking, and professional development opportunities for those committed to advancing public health worldwide.
