OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department, Human Resources and Talent Management (HRT) is responsible for providing a sound, well managed, responsive and efficient organization-wide Human Resources Management strategy and global HR advisory services which support the work of WHO and its Member States, encompassing, but not limited to: the Respectful Workplace Programme (RWP), HR Policy Development, Organizational Design and Job Classification, Talent Management (including Sourcing, Succession Planning, Global staffing, Career Development and Training, Rotation and Mobility),application of the UN Common system's Compensation and Benefits, HR Legal Advisory Services, Administration of Justice, Global Staff/Management relations, representation of WHO in inter-agency UN Common System HR initiatives.
The overall objective of the Respectful Workplace Programme is to deliver a comprehensive programme of work aimed at cultivating and maintaining a workplace culture characterized by respect, inclusivity, and fairness. This programme is just one of many stakeholders that contributes to the overall Respectful, Safe and Healthy Work Environment at WHO.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

The Intern for the Respectful Workplace Programme at the World Health Organization (WHO) will support the Programme in its efforts to cultivate a more respectful, safe, and healthy work environment. Under the supervision of the Project Management Officer (PMO) in the respective area, the Intern will assist in planning and organizing events, workshops, and consultations related to the Respectful Workplace Programme. Additionally, the Intern will contribute to the development of systems and analyses for measuring the impact of the implementation of various projects and provide aligned with the Programme's goals.

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

Coordination and Event Support

  • Assist in the planning and preparation of meetings, workshops, or events related to the Respectful Workplace Programme. This includes managing logistics, communicating with participants, proposing agenda topics, and producing necessary meeting documents, presentations, and materials.
  • Prepares draft communication for distribution among various stakeholders involved in the Respectful Workplace Programme and Respectful, Safe and Healthy Work Environment Platform.
  • Assists in tasks to ensure the smooth running of the Respectful Workplace Programme.

Learning and Development

  • Supports the curation/development of learning modules within the online learning platform.

Communication and Documentation

  • Assist in the coordination of communications efforts, including content creation for internal communications platforms such as iLearn and LinkedIn Learning.
  • Contribute to creating content for various communication materials, including newsletters, toolkits, emails, and other relevant channels.
  • Prepare and draft written materials, such as meeting minutes, project reports, and other relevant documents.
  • Organize and maintain electronic documents in an orderly and accessible manner, ensuring that project-related documents are easily retrievable.

Research and Data Analysis

  • Undertake research and data collection on specific subject areas related to the Respectful Workplace Programme. Gather relevant data and analyze information to support program objectives.
  • Collaborate closely with relevant parties, partners, and stakeholders to develop systems and analyses for measuring the effectiveness of RWP projects and initiatives.

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:

  • Gain practical experience in supporting workplace culture initiatives within a large international organization.
  • 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
  • Gain exposure to various aspects of the programme to support professional development.
  • Develop skills in event coordination, including planning, preparation, and execution of workshops and training sessions.
  • Know how to synthesize data and produce a draft report.
  • Know how to organize meetings, workshops, conferences, and events.
  • Prepare background documents for meetings
  • Have exposure to real-time business scenarios
  • Understand how to identify developmental needs and design training curriculum for learning programmes

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

20 weeks - tentative start date 16 September 2024

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in human resources, business administration, health, social sciences, or international development related degree, 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

  • Team work
  • 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.

Experience

  • Knowledge and familiarity with the subject area, either through academic coursework or previous research.
  • Experience in data collection or conducting research and the ability to draft reports.
  • Experience in a professional or academic setting related to workplace culture and inclusion, or related fields is preferred but not required.
  • Exposure to working in diverse settings, including field and/or developing countries, would be beneficial.
  • Demonstrated interest in workplace culture issues through coursework, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other UN language.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Interns do not receive a salary. They do however receive a living allowance. The amount of living allowance is different in each duty station. The amount also depends on any other external financial support received by the intern (grant, scholarships, etc.) and whether their permanent residence is in the duty station of the internship. In Geneva, for interns with permanent residence in the duty station, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is 720 CHF per month. For interns whose permanent residence is outside of the duty station, the maximum amount is 1620 CHF 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 daily lumpsum amount for meal expenses (20 CHF per working day). 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.
  • WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
  • 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 Department of Staff Health and Wellbeing (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.
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