WHO Internship Programme for Students and Recent Graduates
The WHO Internship Programme offers internship opportunities for eligible students and recent graduates to gain experience across the World Health Organization’s technical and administrative programmes. Candidates from across the world are invited to apply through individual internship vacancy notices, with opportunities posted on a continuous basis and separate requirements and deadlines for each position.
Quick Overview
Programme: WHO Internship Programme
Opportunity Type: Internship
Host Organization: World Health Organization
Programme Format: Full-Time
Duration: Minimum 6 weeks to maximum 24 weeks
Eligibility: Eligible students and recent graduates
Financial Support: Living allowance for eligible selected interns
Deadline: Varies by individual internship vacancy
About the WHO Internship Programme
WHO’s Internship Programme is designed to provide eligible students from diverse academic backgrounds with capacity-building opportunities linked to their education.
Interns may gain insight into WHO’s technical and administrative programmes while developing knowledge and experience in relevant areas. WHO offers internships in technical fields as well as administrative areas such as communication, external relations, and human resources.
Internship positions may be offered across different organizational locations, including regional offices, country offices, and headquarters. Each vacancy can have its own requirements and application deadline.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the eligibility conditions published by WHO.
• Be at least 20 years old on the date of application.
• Be enrolled at a university or equivalent institution in a programme leading to a formal undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate qualification.
• Study in a public health, medical, or social field related to WHO’s technical work, or in a management, administrative, communications, or external relations-related field.
• Have completed three years of full-time university-level studies before starting the internship.
• Be fluent in at least one working language of the office of assignment.
• Hold a valid passport from a WHO Member State.
• Not be related to a WHO staff member as specified by WHO.
• Not have previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme.
Applicants who have already completed a formal qualification may also qualify if they apply within 18 months following completion of the qualification.
Internship Duration and Commitment
WHO internships are full-time placements.
Interns must be available for a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of 24 weeks. The exact duration depends on the needs of the WHO technical unit.
Before an internship offer is extended, candidates must also be prepared to provide the required documentation and fulfil WHO’s stated pre-internship obligations.
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Benefits and Financial Support
WHO provides several forms of support to interns.
✓ Medical and accident insurance during the internship period
✓ Living allowance for eligible selected interns who need financial support
✓ Lunch vouchers at some duty stations
Eligibility for WHO financial support is assessed using information provided through the required Declaration of Interests form. The amount of financial support may depend on the internship vacancy and duty station.
Insurance before the internship begins and after it ends, including travel to and from the duty station, remains the individual intern’s responsibility.
Documents and Pre-Internship Requirements
Candidates should not send documents until WHO specifically requests them.
Before an internship offer is extended, interns must:
• Provide proof of enrolment or proof of completion of their most recent qualification.
• Disclose circumstances that could create a potential conflict of interest, including relevant financial support.
• Complete the required Declaration of Interest.
• Provide a completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work before starting the internship.
WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database.
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Application Process
Applications for the WHO Internship Programme must be submitted through individual internship vacancy notices published on the WHO Careers website.
WHO uses its online recruitment system, Stellis, for internship applications. Applications cannot be submitted outside Stellis.
Applicants should:
• Review available WHO internship vacancy notices.
• Check the specific eligibility requirements for the selected position.
• Review the vacancy-specific application deadline.
• Complete the application through the WHO online recruitment system.
Internship opportunities are posted on a continuous basis, so requirements and deadlines vary between vacancies.
Selection Information
WHO states that its internships are highly competitive and that only a small number of applicants are selected each year.
Only successful candidates are contacted. Applicants who are not selected may apply for other internship vacancies if they remain eligible and meet the requirements of those positions.
Official Link
Review available internship vacancies and submit applications through the official WHO Careers portal.
