OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
At WHO, our vision is a world in which everyone can live healthy, productive lives, regardless of who they are or where they live. Within the Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI (DDA), we power health systems with data, digital, and AI—for equity, resilience, and universal health. We work to strengthen health systems by ensuring timely, reliable, and trustworthy data and high-quality service delivery. By harnessing rigorous data science, digital systems, and AI, we support countries to monitor progress, improve accountability, and deliver people-centred, equitable, sustainable, and resilient health for all.
Much of the department's core focus is driven by the Insights, Capacity and Operations (ICO) unit, which systematically assesses national digital health ecosystems to identify capacity gaps and target strategic investments. Key projects include deploying country-level maturity assessments, tracking transformation via the Global Digital Health Observatory and Monitor, and supporting Member States to design national digital health policies. In parallel, the unit drives global agenda-setting; following the World Health Assembly’s (WHA) extension of the Global Strategy on Digital Health through 2027, a defining priority is coordinating the consultation and approval processes for the upcoming 2028–2033 global framework. This runs in lockstep with the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) to align international partners and equitably scale foundational building blocks like telehealth and ethical AI. Finally, these strategic mechanisms are operationalised to address environmental risks through the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Climate and Health initiative. Collaborating closely with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the WHO – WMO joint climate and health programme, the department integrates climate and health datasets into interoperable technical workflows - such as Digital Adaptation Kits (DAKs) - to validate real-world use cases like extreme heat early warning systems and predictive dengue outbreak modelling.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the supervision of a technical expert in the respective area, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:
• Conduct desk research, literature reviews, and situational assessments on how countries implement national digital health strategies or integrate cross-sectoral datasets (such as climate and health).
• Assist in the development of technical tools, global strategy frameworks, digital workflows, and implementation guidelines.
• Assist in drafting, formatting, and editing user-friendly policy briefs, governance documents, toolkits, manuals, country case studies, and reports destined for senior leadership and governing bodies.
• Assist in organising workshops, high-level consultations, governance meetings, and stakeholder events with Member States and international partners like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) or the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH).
• Participate in ongoing departmental projects to help track timelines, manage deliverables, and support global collaboration.
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 department’s strategic priorities, for example, how global climate-health data systems can be designed for low- and middle-income country uptake and digital equity, and how global digital health governance frameworks are negotiated.
• Communicate clearly about digital health infrastructure to diverse global audiences.
• Understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices, and country offices when implementing cross-sector digital projects into national digital strategies and operational requirements.
• Know how to conduct rigorous desk research, synthesize multi-country data, and prepare comprehensive analyses of a variety of digital health and related topics.
• Prepare background documents, briefing notes, and technical materials for high-level international meetings and workshops.
• Learn to translate complex technical and policy documentation into clear, accessible instructions for national health and other ministries.
DURATION OF INTERNSHIP
Start Date: 19 October 2026
End Date: 02 April 2027
Duration: 24 weeks
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in Public Health, Health Informatics, Public Policy, Environmental/Climate Science, or a related digital/scientific/social science discipline 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 eighteen 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. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software such as XLStat may be an advantage.
Experience
• Experience in conducting desk research, analysing information, and drafting structured reports or summaries.
• A demonstrated interest or academic exposure to fields such as public health, climate change adaptation, or digital development.
• Field and/or developing country experience
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 739 CHF per month. For interns whose permanent residence is outside of the duty station, the maximum amount is 1680 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 daily lunch vouchers 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 contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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