The WHO Office at the United Nations (WUN) represents the interests of WHO at the United Nations (UN) and functions as the Organization’s main interlocutor with the UN system in New York.  The WHO Office at the United Nations facilitates the participation of WHO and its Director-General in meetings of the UN Security Council, the General Assembly of the UN, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as well as other intergovernmental forums, interagency briefings, events and interaction with media including the UN Press Corps.

The objectives of WUN are to:

• improve, on behalf of all WHO, its engagement with the UN system.
• better position health in the debates and decisions of the UN and inter-governmental bodies.
• anchor health in the global 2030 sustainable development agenda.
• strengthen WHO’s effectiveness and leadership role in health as part of the UN humanitarian system.
• create and sustain effective networks and coalitions with relevant UN agencies and other stakeholders, based on shared agendas for substantive work; and
• contribute to a coherent and effective UN system at global, regional and country levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of a technical expert in the respective area, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:

• attend health related meetings at the United Nations and prepare notes for the record.
• provide substantive administrative and logistical assistance in the preparation/organization of meetings, conferences, events, including in lead-up to the UN General Assembly High-level week in September.
• support communications and public relations.
• organize data and documents.
• review literature, analyze, and present information gathered from diverse sources.
• assist in drafting, formatting and editing policy briefs, hand-outs, and reports.
• contribute to the drafting and preparation of speeches and talking points, briefing notes, policy briefs, hand-outs, and reports.

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 mandate of the WHO office at the United Nations and its role as a liaison office.
• Have an in-depth understanding of the interests and objectives of UN intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and Member States’ missions.
• Effectively construct public health policies, positions and interests to different stakeholders
• Provide strategic and substantive inputs to official documents, speeches and talking points, briefing notes, press releases and statements.

 

21 weeks – tentative start date: May 6, 2024

Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution with a major in health (medicine or public health) 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).

• Teamwork
• 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 competent in using commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

• Analytical and writing experience
• Experience in external relations, advocacy or communications through academic work
• Organizational and coordination skills

LANGUAGES

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: 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 New York, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is USD 2000 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 USD 15 for each working day to buy lunch. 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.