WHO Internship Programme (World Health Organization)

The WHO Internship Programme places students and recent graduates inside the World Health Organization’s headquarters in Geneva, its regional offices and country offices for six weeks to six months. Interns contribute to real global health work, from epidemiology and health policy to communications, law and data, and WHO now provides a monthly stipend at the duty-station rate to interns who are not otherwise funded.

Postings appear on WHO’s careers portal throughout the year, each with its own closing date, and candidates from low and middle-income countries are actively encouraged. A tailored cover letter for each vacancy is the single biggest factor separating shortlisted applicants.

• At least 20 years old and enrolled in a bachelor's, master's or PhD program, or graduated within the timeframe stated in each posting.
• Studies relevant to WHO's work: public health, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, epidemiology, health policy, communications, law, HR, IT, data and related fields.
• Fluent in the working language of the hosting office (English is essential; French, Spanish or Arabic help in many offices).
• Nationals of any WHO member state, with the organization actively encouraging candidates from low and middle-income countries.
• Not related to a WHO staff member per the conflict-of-interest rules in each vacancy.
• Able to cover any remaining living costs, since support levels depend on the duty station and other funding you hold.
• A completed online profile and tailored cover letter for each specific internship vacancy.

• Support a WHO technical unit or country office team on defined projects in health programs, research, communications or operations.
• Draft reports, literature reviews, data analyses and meeting summaries used in real WHO outputs.
• Attend technical briefings and inter-agency meetings alongside staff.
• Contribute to campaigns, guidelines work or emergency-response support depending on the unit.
• Present your contribution to the team at the end of the internship.
• Uphold WHO's standards of conduct throughout the placement.

• Since reforms to widen access, WHO provides interns who are not otherwise funded with a monthly stipend at the duty-station rate, plus lunch support at some locations.
• Medical insurance coverage support and structured supervision during the placement.
• Insight into the machinery of global health at headquarters in Geneva, six regional offices and country offices.
• Internships from six weeks to six months across an unusually broad set of profiles, from clinical topics to law and IT.
• Alumni of the programme populate ministries of health, NGOs and UN agencies worldwide.
• Multiple postings appear throughout the year, so there is always a next window.

• Search current internship vacancies on WHO's careers portal (careers section of who.int) using the intern filter.
• Create your online profile once, then tailor your cover letter to each vacancy's terms of reference.
• Apply before each posting's own closing date; internship vacancies open throughout the year on a rolling basis.
• Shortlisted candidates are contacted for written tests or interviews by the hiring unit.
• If selected, complete medical clearance and visa steps with the hiring office's guidance.
• Keep applying to well-matched postings; selection is competitive and persistence pays.