OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The Mental Health and Substance Use (MHS) Unit, within the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) of the Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care (PPC) Division, supports Member States to promote and protect mental health and well-being, prevent mental health conditions and suicide, and improve access to equitable, quality, person-centred and rights-based mental health services and supports across the life course. Its work includes evidence-based policy and guidance, mental health systems and services, promotion and prevention, data and monitoring, humanitarian emergencies, and strengthening inclusion of people with lived experience in this work. Relevant mandates and initiatives include the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030, the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health, LIVE LIFE and the UNICEF–WHO Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being and Development of Children and Adolescents.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
In the context of the WHO Internship Programme, the Mental Health and Substance Use (MHS) Unit offers internships to university students and recent graduates with relevant academic backgrounds and an interest in its mental health area of work.
Under the overall coordination of the Unit Head, MHS, interns are supervised by a staff member and, depending on their profile, skills and the needs of the Unit, may contribute to one or several activities within the MHS Unit’s mental health area of work
The intern may assist with activities such as:
• Undertaking literature reviews, desk research and evidence synthesis on relevant topics;
• Supporting the collection, organization, validation and analysis of information and data;
• Contributing to the preparation and review of technical documents, reports, briefs, presentations and other knowledge products;
• Supporting the development, adaptation and dissemination of technical resources and materials;
• Providing administrative and organizational support for multi-stakeholder meetings, technical consultations, workshops, webinars and other events, including preparation and documentation;
• Supporting communication and knowledge-sharing activities related to the work of the Unit;
• Contributing to stakeholder mapping and the organization of information relating to relevant initiatives, programmes and partners;
• Supporting ongoing technical projects and activities on mental health within the MHS Unit; and
• Carrying out other related tasks according to the intern's profile and the needs of the Unit.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the WHO Internship Programme is to provide an enriching learning experience for students and recent graduates. Depending on the assignment, the intern will have opportunities to:
• Gain insight into WHO’s work on mental health at global, regional and country levels;
• Understand WHO’s role in supporting Member States to strengthen mental health policies, systems and services;
• Gain experience in the development and dissemination of evidence-informed global public health products and activities;
• Strengthen skills in research, analysis, technical writing and communication;
• Gain experience working with technical experts and stakeholders in an international and multicultural environment;
• Develop an understanding of how evidence and technical guidance are translated into policy and implementation; and
• Understand the respective roles of WHO headquarters, regional offices and country offices.
DURATION OF INTERNSHIP
16 – 24 weeks
Proposed start date: 1st March 2027
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Applicants must have completed a minimum of three years of full-time university studies (or equivalent) prior to commencing the internship and must either be currently enrolled in a course of study leading to a formal qualification or have graduated within the 18 months preceding their application.
Preference will be given to candidates with more advanced university qualifications, particularly those with completed postgraduate studies.
The applicant’s university studies must be either
(a) in public health, global health, epidemiology, health policy - with course work in mental health
(b) psychiatry, psychology, mental health nursing, or mental health social work.
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 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;
• Organizing information and working systematically;
• Conducting research and synthesizing information from different sources.
Interns should be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example statistical software, may be an advantage.
Experience
Previous professional experience is not required. Applicants with lived experience, including the experience of being a family member, are encouraged to apply. Experience gained through academic work, research, volunteering, advocacy or other activities in one or more of the following areas would be considered an asset:
• Mental health, public health or global health, including mental health advocacy and activities;
• Research, literature reviews or evidence synthesis on a health-related topic;
• Data collection, management or analysis on a health-related topic;
• Drafting reports, briefs or other written products on a health-related topic;
• Organization of meetings, events or consultations on a health-related topic;
• Work in multicultural or international environments.
Languages
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate or expert knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
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
Candidates are requested to identify their top three interests among the following unit activities:
1)mental health policy, legislation and human rights
2)mental health promotion, child and young people’s mental health
3)suicide prevention
4)mental health services (e.g. mental health in primary care, community teams, hospital care)
5)psychological and/or pharmacological interventions (including digital technologies)
6)mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies
7)mental health data, analysis and epidemiology
8)strengthening inclusion and engagement of people with lived experience
• 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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