OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence (WHO Hub in Berlin) is part of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, located in Berlin. It works with partners to enable the generation of public health relevant information to provide timely actionable insights in response to health emergencies; improve decision making in response to public health threats. It also aims to reduce data fragmentation and inefficiency by creating an ecosystem that promotes collaboration across multiple professional disciplines, sectors, and initiatives; and empower decision makers, public health professionals, and civil society to make informed public health decisions.
The Operations and Programme Management team (OPM) supports the effective functioning of the Berlin Hub by enabling administrative services, meeting and event logistics, facilities and premises, protocol support, procurement coordination, information management, fixed asset management, and coordination with internal and external service providers.
This internship provides a structured learning opportunity to gain practical experience in operations, information management, digital workplace technologies, and AV/IT service coordination, while developing an understanding of WHO service management, knowledge management, and user support processes.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the supervision of the Administrative Services Officer, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:
• Support logistical arrangement needs of hybrid, virtual and in-person meetings and events
• Support information management activities through the maintenance of the Hub's SharePoint sites, digital repositories, operational records and knowledge resources.
• Support the documentation and continuous improvement of IT/AV support processes, including meeting room technologies, conferencing systems, user support procedures and service desk workflows.
• Assist with ICT asset management activities, including the preparation, distribution and tracking of laptops, mobile phones and other IT equipment, while gaining exposure to WHO ICT asset management and end-user support processes.
• Support the implementation and adoption of AI-enabled and digital workplace platforms within the Hub through research, documentation, testing and user engagement activities.
• Contribute to operational efficiency initiatives and digital workplace transformation projects, including process improvement, automation and knowledge management activities.
• Prepare reports, presentations and operational summaries to support decision-making and service improvement initiatives.
• Perform other related learning assignments as required in support of the Operations and Programme Management team.
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 have the opportunity to:
• Develop practical knowledge and skills in planning and supporting hybrid, virtual and in-person meetings, events and official visits, including logistics coordination, meeting technologies and event support.
• Gain hands-on experience in information management, including maintaining SharePoint sites, digital repositories, operational records and knowledge resources.
• Develop an understanding of IT and AV service support processes, including meeting room technologies, conferencing systems, service desk workflows and user support procedures.
• Gain familiarity with ICT asset management practices, including the preparation, issuance, tracking and inventory management of laptops, mobile devices and other IT equipment.
• Strengthen digital workplace skills through exposure to Microsoft 365 applications, collaboration platforms and modern workplace technologies.
• Gain insight into AI-enabled and digital platforms and their application in improving information management, operational efficiency and user services.
• Develop analytical and problem-solving skills by contributing to process improvement initiatives, digital workplace projects and operational reporting activities.
• Enhance organizational, communication and stakeholder engagement skills through collaboration with colleagues, service providers and technical teams.
• Strengthen documentation and knowledge management capabilities through the preparation of guidance materials, operational summaries, reports and process documentation.
• Gain a broader understanding of the operational, administrative and digital functions that support the effective delivery of WHO programmes and the functioning of an international organization.
DURATION OF INTERNSHIP
Start date: 2 November 2026
End date: 16 April 2027
Duration: 24 weeks
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in one or more of the following: Information Management, Data and Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, or other related disciplines, 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
• 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
• Demonstrating client orientation and attention to detail
• Organizing information clearly and systematically
In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Experience
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint.
• Exposure to IT and audiovisual technologies, including laptops, mobile devices and hybrid meeting platforms.
• Experience supporting meetings, events, projects or administrative activities.
• Familiarity with digital collaboration tools, information management and document organization.
• Interest in AI-enabled tools, digital workplace technologies and process improvement.
Languages
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of German.
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 Berlin, for interns with permanent residence in the duty station, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is 684 EUR per month. For interns whose permanent residence is outside of the duty station, the maximum amount is 1488 EUR 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 Berlin will receive a daily lunch voucher. 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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