Intern - CSU

Intern – Division of Programme Management/Country Support Unit (2404363)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO Western Pacific Region is made up of 37 countries and areas. The diversity of people and health situations requires a solid understanding of the emerging socioeconomic, epidemiologic, and demographic patterns and trends in order to provide relevant and timely responses to the countries and areas. The Division of Programme Management (DPM) provides overall direction and cross-coordination support for the management of regional technical cooperation with the countries and areas, ensuring strategic leadership and effective programme development and management.

Under DPM, Country Support Unit (CSU) focuses on ensuring greater impact of WHO work at the country level through country cooperation strategies and support for new ways of working and stronger partnerships.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

Under immediate supervision of the Coordinator, Country Support Unit (CSU) and overall guidance of the Director, Division of Programme Management, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:
• review literature and conduct literature surveys
• undertake web research and data collection on specific subject area
• organize data and documents
• participate in the development of tools and guidelines
• assist in drafting, formatting, and editing policy briefs, tool kits, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures, and reports
• assist in organizing workshops, meetings, conferences, events
• participate in on-going divisional projects

Proposed areas for contribution
• Contribute to the development of briefs, toolkits, and communication materials
• Conduct research and data analysis on priority health areas
• Assist in drafting and editing documents and materials
• Support organizing meetings, workshops, and events
• Assist with any other day-to-day work within the CSU
• Willingness to participate in field implementation of programmes

Learning objectives
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 objectives of the programme/area of work
• Communicate clearly about the programme/area of work
• Understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices, and country offices
• Know how to conduct and review literature surveys
• Know how to assemble data and prepare a comprehensive analysis
• Prepare background documents for meetings
• Develop the outline of a document

Anticipated outcomes:
• Contribute to and gain familiarity with the CSU operations, strategic planning and implementation of the programmes, and related functions
• Support and gain insight into WHO programmes, interactions with country government partners, and relationships with WHO HQ and WPRO
• Gain practical knowledge, skills, and insights into a range of global health issues and initiatives

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

10 weeks between July and December 2024

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in the area of public health, international development, communication, social/political sciences or any other relevant areas at a university or equivalent institution 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).

Skills

Core competencies
• 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 familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software such as XLStat may be an advantage.

Experience

• Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
• Experience in the subject area through academic work or research
• Field and/or developing country experience
• Experience with data analysis, statistical packages, and interest in the design of graphical display and analysis of health information in an international comparative perspective, such as for health system performance assessment
• More specific experience such as specialized computer programmes

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English. 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 Manila, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is approximately US$ 1943.96 for the 10-week internship (the estimated rate applied only to interns whose place of residence is in the duty station, covering a living allowance, insurance and lunch). 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 Manila will receive a daily lunch voucher or a lumpsum amount for meal expenses. 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 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 SWH directly at shws@who.int.