World Health Organization Internship for International Students
WHO is committed to building future leaders in public health and WHO's internship programme provides a wide range of opportunities for graduate and postgraduate students to gain insight into the work of WHO.
Definition of an intern at WHO
An intern is a student who is enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution (graduate or postgraduate); who has completed three years of full-time study at a university or equivalent institution; and who provides his/her services to the World Health Organization without remuneration. Interns do not have the status of WHO staff members and cannot represent the Organization in any official capacity.
Objectives of the programme
The objectives of the internship programme are to:
provide a framework for assigning students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical assignments;
expose students to the work of WHO; and
provide WHO programmes with input from students specializing in various fields. Most students are placed in health-related programmes, although other disciplines can be considered as appropriate.
WHO may accept applications from those who meet all of the following conditions:
The applicant is at least 20 years of age on the date of application.
The applicant is enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (graduate or postgraduate). Applicants who apply for an internship within six months of completion of their formal qualification may also be considered.
The applicant has completed three years of full-time study at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the internship.
The intern is available for a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of three months. Exceptionally, through the approvals of the Head of the Technical Unit and the Director of the Division the internship period may be extended up to six months to respond to special academic requirements or particular needs of the receiving programme.
The applicant is fluent in at least one of the working languages of the office of the assignment.
The applicant is not related to a WHO staff member as defined in staff rule 410.3 (e.g., son/daughter, brother/sister, or mother/father).
The applicant has not previously participated in WHO's internship programme.
Conditions of internship
WHO internships are not paid. Travel costs, travel arrangements, including visas, and living accommodation are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
Interns shall not take up any form of contractual arrangement with the Organization as a staff member or no-staff member for a period of three months following the end of the internship. Any employment with WHO shall be subject to established recruitment and selection procedures.
WHO does not agree to execute any agreement proposed or required by a sponsor, university or equivalent institution. By signing the Official Letter of Internship, interns confirm that they or their sponsor (university, institute, etc.) will meet all expenses for travel and subsistence and that they have adequate health insurance coverage, which includes coverage for the country of the assignment.
However, a certificate of attendance from the Organization and/or letter of recommendation from the WHO staff member who supervised the intern can be provided. Read More
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