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: 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.
In addition, HRT leads WHO's internal people and culture work. Within HRT, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative and the Respectful Workplace Programme (RWP) work together to build a workforce and workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and fair.
This internship provides practical experience in DEI and RWP within a UN organization. The intern will support communications, data tasks, learning activities, and stakeholder coordination under close supervision.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the supervision of the Project Management Officer (PMO) for the RWP, the intern will support the following areas:
Communications and Content
• Assist in maintaining and updating the DEI and RWP SharePoint intranet hub: publish session information and upload materials.
• Draft short internal communications, such as programme updates, event announcements, and promotional content.
Data and Research
• Assist in the preparation of analytic documents and compiling workforce diversity data for internal reporting purposes.
• Support tracking of participation and learning records.
Learning Programme Support
• Help prepare participant-facing materials for RWP and DEI learning sessions.
• Assist with session logistics: participant communications, registration tracking, and post-session evaluation.
• Help administer post-session surveys and compile basic results summaries.
General Programme Support
• Draft meeting minutes, action trackers, and basic documentation for programme activities.
• Support stakeholder coordination by maintaining contact lists and tracking engagement activities.
• Perform other duties as needed, including administrative support.
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 understanding of DEI and workplace culture initiatives within a UN organization context.
• Develop skills in drafting clear, accessible internal communications for a multicultural workforce.
• Develop practical skills in compiling and presenting workforce data to support programme planning and evaluation
• Gain an understanding of how WHO headquarters, regional offices and country offices work together to support organizational objectives.
• Build familiarity with UN system coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• Communicate clearly about the programme/area of work
• Develop professional skills in event support, documentation, and programme administration.
DURATION OF INTERNSHIP
24 weeks - tentative start date 19 October 2026.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in Human Resources, Law, Psychology, Social Sciences, International Relations, or a related field 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:
• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to use digital tools and technology to develop clear, engaging, and impactful communications for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment
• Demonstrated ability to adopt and leverage AI-enabled tools and applications to enhance productivity, support analysis, and improve work processes.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Showing willingness to learn from mistakes
• Producing and delivering quality results
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
In addition, interns should be familiar with Microsoft 365 tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint). Experience with Canva or other design tools may be an advantage.
Experience
• Academic or practical experience related to human resources, DEI, communications, social sciences, or a related field.
• Experience in data collection, conducting research and the ability to draft reports.
• Experience or interest in diversity, equity, inclusion, organizational culture, or conflict prevention.
• Exposure to working in diverse settings, including field and/or developing countries, would be beneficial.
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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