OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Within the Department of Governing Bodies, the Language Services Unit (LNG) provides high-quality, timely and cost-effective translation, interpretation, editing, official records, word-processing and online services for the governing bodies, as well as language services for the Director-General's Office and WHO technical programmes, so as to make WHO health policy and technical information accessible to its target audiences in the official languages of the Organization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the context of the WHO Internship Programme, the Language Services Unit (LNG) offers a limited number of internships to university students and recent graduates with the desired language combinations and academic background. Interns gain insight into the technical and administrative programmes of WHO and enrich their knowledge and experience of the work of WHO language professionals, thereby contributing to the advancement of public health. The selection process is highly competitive. Interns are placed under the supervision of a technical expert, as appropriate.

Depending on her/his profile and skills, the intern is assigned to one or several areas of work:

  1. Contributing to the testing of an AI interpretation platform;
  2. Dummy boothing from at least 2 into at least one of WHO’s official languages;
  3. Interpretation from at least 2 into at least one of WHO’s official languages;
  4. Collaborating in the efforts to procure, test and roll-out a new interpretation management tool.
  5. Contributing to the language-related work of the technology team

One of these areas is considered as her/his main area of work.

Under the supervision of the Chief Interpreter, the intern can assist with any of the following duties:
• Printing and distribution of selected documents and statements for interpreters;
• Creating and updating interpreter profiles and meetings in the interpretation planning platform (e-APG);
• Following up with the access of interpreters to the e-APG;
• Preparing multilingual glossaries for interpreters.

Learning objectives

Within this internship, the intern will:
• gain insight into the technical and administrative programmes of WHO and understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices and country offices;
• understand the objectives of the Office of Language Services;
• enrich her/his knowledge and experience of the work of WHO language professionals;
• improve her/his skills in her/his area(s) of work, notably interpretation;
• get a better understanding of modern language and workflow tools.

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

24 weeks. Start date 04 January 2027.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Applicants must have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies 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 as a conference interpreter (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

In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Experience

A first experience of translation, editing, language technology or terminology, or within an international organization, would be considered an asset.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and French and another WHO official language, preferably Arabic, Chinese or Russian.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other WHO official language(s).


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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