World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Programme

The World Health Organization (WHO) offers internships for students and recent graduates who want hands-on experience in global public health. Interns work in WHO's technical and administrative teams at its headquarters in Geneva, at regional offices (including the African Regional Office) and at country offices around the world.

No single deadline: WHO posts internship vacancies all year round. Each vacancy has its own requirements and closing date, so check the WHO Careers site often.

What interns get

• A living allowance for interns who need financial support. The amount depends on the duty station and is set after selection, based on a financial declaration. As an example, a recent Geneva vacancy offered up to CHF 1,680 a month for interns whose permanent home is outside Geneva.
• Medical and accident insurance for the length of the internship
• Experience at the world's leading public health organisation, and a strong addition to your CV

Please note: interns pay their own travel to and from the duty station, and there's no salary. In Geneva, accommodation is expensive and hard to find, so plan ahead.

Internship length

6 to 24 weeks, full time, depending on the needs of the team.

Who can apply

• Aged 20 or older on the date you apply
• Enrolled in a university course leading to a formal qualification, or a graduate who finished within the last 18 months
• Fluent in at least one working language of the office you apply to
• Many vacancies also require at least three years of completed full-time university study, so read each vacancy carefully

How to apply

1. Go to the WHO Careers website and open the list of internship vacancies.
2. Choose a vacancy that matches your studies and the office location you're interested in.
3. Create a profile on WHO's recruitment system and apply online before that vacancy's deadline. WHO only accepts applications through vacancy notices.
4. If you're selected, WHO will ask you to complete a financial declaration to work out your living allowance.

Tips for a strong application

• Apply for roles that match your field, such as public health, medicine, nursing, data, communications, law or administration.
• Use your motivation statement to explain what you'll contribute and what you want to learn, and name the unit's work specifically.
• Check often. New internships appear regularly, and some close quickly.
• Consider country and regional offices, not just Geneva. Living costs are lower, and they may be closer to home.
• Beware of scams. WHO never charges application fees. Apply only through the official WHO Careers website.

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