OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The objectives of the Medicines and Health Products Policies and Standards (HPS) Department are to support Member States in improving access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable medicines and health products (including medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technology) and promote their rational use in line with the WHO Road map for Access to safe, effective and quality-assured health products and technologies 2025-2030 (WHO Access Road map). In alignment with WHO’s General Programme of Work and the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the programme engages a broad range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, international partners, expert networks, and WHO Collaborating Centres, to enhance policy coherence and foster coordinated action at the global, regional, and country levels. The immediate strategic objective is to develop and implement policies and standards that enhance access to essential medicines and health products, thereby improving public health outcomes.
The Medical devices and assistive technology team manages a large portfolio of work which includes: development and uptake of normative guidance including WHO lists of essential diagnostics, medical devices and assistive products, data collection tools, and resources for capacity building; guidance and catalogues to support procurement of quality-assured, affordable medical devices, diagnostics and assistive products; and technical assistance to WHO regional and country offices and Ministries of Health to strengthen access to health products within national systems.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Terms of reference
Under the supervision of a technical expert in the respective area, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:
• contribute to the WHO Learning on TAP multi-year, multi-country research study by supporting qualitative and quantitative data analysis, drawing out key findings, and helping to prepare clear research summaries and reports;
• help to strengthen the visibility and use of country data by supporting the preparation, review and uploading of assistive technology data collected by Member States using the WHO Assistive technology data toolkit to the Global Health Observatory database;
• assist in developing country case studies that illustrate how WHO assistive technology guidance is supporting strengthening of national systems and improving access in different national contexts;
• support the dissemination of WHO’s work on assistive technology by contributing to webinars, communication messages, news items, information notes and other knowledge sharing products;
• help keep WHO’s assistive technology web content accurate, accessible and up to date, including by drafting and adapting material for the WHO website and other digital platforms;
• contribution to other on-going team projects across research, data, communications and country-support activities, as required.
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:
• Develop an understanding of WHO’s work to improve access to assistive technology, including how global normative guidance, data tools, research, country support and dissemination activities contribute to stronger, more equitable systems.
• Strengthen applied research skills by supporting qualitative and quantitative analysis for the WHO Learning on TAP multi-year, multi-country research study, including organizing data, identifying key findings, preparing summaries and contributing to reports.
• Build practical experience in the use of health information and country data for decision-making, including supporting the preparation and uploading of assistive technology data collected from Member States to the Global Health Observatory database.
• Learn how evidence, country experience and WHO guidance can be used to document assistive technology system strengthening, including through the compilation and organization of country case studies.
• Develop a broader understanding of assistive technology as part of health systems and universal health coverage, including links with policy, financing, procurement, service delivery, workforce capacity, data and monitoring.
• Strengthen skills in translating technical information into clear written products for different audiences, including communication messages, news items, information notes, webinar materials and web content.
• Gain experience in WHO ways of working, including collaboration across headquarters, regional and country offices, engagement with Member States and partners, and participation in ongoing team projects.
DURATION OF INTERNSHIP
24 weeks from 02 November 2026
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in a field related to assistive technology, for example: an allied health profession involved in provision of assistive products, rehabilitation engineering or assistive product design 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
• Openness and 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 SPSS and Nvivo will be an advantage.
Experience
• Direct experience in mixed methods research implementation including research design, data analysis and reporting
• Direct experience in clinical practice, product design or research in assistive technology or a related field
• Practical experience working in complex settings such as rural and remote, low- and middle-income countries, humanitarian contexts.
Languages
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: 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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