Internship – Innovation Hub HQ/SCI/DHI – WHO jobs in Switzerland

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-04-02

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

At WHO, our vision is a world in which everyone can live healthy, productive lives, regardless of who they are or where they live – “health for all”. In this interconnected and complex global health environment, innovation in health represents a key opportunity to jointly accelerate progress towards this vision if implemented at scale.

The WHO Innovation Hub was created in 2018 as a priority area outlined in WHO’s transformation process. In WHO’s strategy, the 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13) and its extension, it is stated that “research and innovation are vital to WHO as a knowledge-based organization”. WHO’s Innovation efforts thus are focused on accelerating impact in countries by (i) providing normative leadership on the use of health innovation; (ii) supporting the matching of existing innovation pipelines with the specific health needs of countries; (iii) supporting the building of capacity and enabling environments for innovation within WHO and among Member States; (iv) building enabling ecosystems.

The WHO Innovation Hub is supported by the Eureka Innovation space is a physical and digitally-enabled innovation ‘lab’ space and service offer that encompasses showcasing innovation, learning and facilitation to allow WHO staff and member states to discover, catalyze and launch impactful, demand-driven innovation in health. The physical Eureka Innovation Centre space is in the final stages of implementation – including hybrid facilitation-ready conference and AV equipment –before launch, along with its initial virtual presence (website, staff network and internal social media).

The WHO Innovation Hub is seeking to synthesize its theory of change and approach to work in a WHO Global Innovation Strategy (Strategy), aligned internally with WHO regions, countries and technical teams responding to Member States’ needs as articulated in GPW13 and its extension.

The purpose of the Strategy is to provide (i) a unified vision and definition for innovation at WHO, (ii) describe the focus of the WHO innovation work for each level of the organization, with a focus on the WHO Innovation Hub’s deliverables; (iii) clarify how Member states, donors and partners can engage with WHO on innovation and contribute to its ambitious agenda.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The intern will be responsible for supporting the WHO Innovation Hub in a variety of workstreams, including but not limited to:

• Implementing the WHO Innovation Hub Strategy (the Strategy), including (i) testing its key pillars of Support to innovation scaling,  capacity building – in the Eureka innovation space and the LEAD innovation challenge programme;  normative guidance development.
• Developing and testing approaches as part of a programme of exciting innovation activities through the Eureka Innovation space for the LEAD and WHO innovation community, including (i) engaging with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to gather, repurpose and showcase compelling stories of innovation from across the globe, including the process for sourcing and reviewing innovation content for digital channels as well as in-person.innovation demonstrations pods; and (ii) supporting the piloting of approaching for ongoing management of Eureka’s content and service delivery, such as receiving community members, guests and dignitaries, as well as hosting creative, inclusive in-person, virtual and hybrid innovation capacity building and facilitation activities.

Specific activities may include:

• Preparing documents and materials in advance of events, including background briefs, presentation slides, and meeting agendas.
• Supporting the coordination and organization of events; including logistics, participant communication, and event follow-up.
• Assisting in the analysis and synthesis of inputs gathered during the events.
• Supporting the work of the Eureka Innovation space, including assisting with the curation of innovation showcasing through research and review of concrete innovations, and providing support for events and activities related to the Hub.

Learning objectives

The purpose of the WHO Internship Programme is to provide an enriching learning experience for students and recent graduates on the opportunities and challenges to innovation in health, and the roles of WHO and stakeholders, globally. The Learning Objectives outlined within each internship vacancy are a key component of the programme.

Within this internship, the intern will:

• Gain an understanding of the role of health innovation in achieving global health goals, including WHO’s role in promoting health innovation.
• Develop knowledge of current trends and challenges in health innovation and global health, as well as evidence-based approaches to addressing them.
• Learn about the processes and methods involved in developing a global health innovation strategy, including conducting research and analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.
• Enhance skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting, including the use of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Canva and others.
• Improve analytical skills and ability to synthesize and communicate complex information clearly and concisely.
• Develop agile project management skills, including planning, prioritization, and tracking progress.
• Be exposed to – and have opportunities to apply – new ways of working in an international organization context, such as human-centered design, virtual and hybrid facilitation, and systems thinking approaches.
• Gain experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Build professional networks and gain exposure to career opportunities in health innovation and global health.
• Optionally, the intern may offer to do a presentation on a relevant topic of interest to colleagues in the Science Division as part of the ‘Journal Club’.

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

24 weeks – tentative start date: May 13 2024

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the assignment; AND be enrolled in a course of study in public health, health systems, health policy, innovation, social sciences, business, communications or a related field 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

• Research: ability to conduct literature reviews, analyze data, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Analytical: ability to analyze data and information to identify patterns and draw insights.
• Communication: ability to communicate effectively and clearly in writing and verbally, including preparing presentations and reports.
• Organizational: ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, and to work effectively under tight deadlines.
• Interpersonal: ability to work collaboratively and effectively with diverse stakeholders, including colleagues, partners, and external consultants.
• Project management: ability to plan, execute, and monitor projects, and to track progress against milestones and deliverables.
• Critical thinking: ability to think critically and independently, and to identify and propose solutions to complex problems.
• Creativity: ability to look at problems from different perspectives or lenses, which can lead to unique insights and solutions that might not have been considered.
• Proficiency in English language writing and speaking.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.

In addition, all interns should be able to demonstrate the following skills in line with the WHO core competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Showing willingness to learn from mistakes
• Producing and delivering quality results
• Working collaboratively with team members

Experience

• Demonstrated interest in health innovation and/or global health
• Prior experience or exposure to the field of innovation, public sector innovation, intrapreneurship, health innovation or global health, such as through coursework, internships, research, or other related experiences.
• Familiarity with current issues and trends in health innovation and global health.
• Knowledge of evidence-based approaches to health innovation, public sector innovation and program evaluation.
• Familiarity with the application of innovative approaches, such as human centred design
• Experience in engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, across a variety of cultures and contexts.
• Experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize and communicate complex information.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in organizing meetings, workshops, events, including remotely via Zoom and MS Teams.

LANGUAGES

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other UN language.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Interns do not receive a salary. They do however receive a living allowance. The allowance depends on the duty station and other external support (grant, scholarships, etc.) received by the intern. In Geneva, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is CHF 1680 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 lumpsum of CHF 20 for each working day to buy lunch at WHO campus or elsewhere. WHO also provides all interns with accident and medical insurance coverage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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 contacted.
• 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.
• Interns are not eligible to take up a consultant or other non-staff contract in WHO for a period of three months following the end of the internship. However, no such restriction applies to temporary or longer-term staff positions if the vacancy has been advertised and a competitive process completed.
• 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 (https://www.who.int/about/values) into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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