Internship - Human Resources and Talent Management

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The Department of 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 Coordination and Development, Talent Acquisition and Management, Organizational Design and Job Classification, HR Business Partnering, application of the UN Common system’s Compensation and Benefits, Administration of Internal Justice, Global Staff/Management relations, representation of WHO in inter-agency UN Common System HR initiatives.

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:

• assist in drafting, reviewing, updating, formatting and editing policy briefs, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures, reports, interview questions and agreements
• assist in organizing meetings, briefings and selections
• participate in on-going team projects
• undertake web research and data collection on specific subject area
• participate in the development of tools and guidelines

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:

• Understand the objectives of the programme/area of work
• Communicate clearly about the programme/area of work
• Understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices and country offices
• Gain an insight into a number of specific areas of HR operations including managing young professionals programmes, selection processes and outreach activities
• Know how to assemble data and prepare a comprehensive analysis
• Prepare background documents for meetings
• Develop the outline of a document

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

12 weeks

We would like the intern to start at any point in time between July and September 2023.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution in human resources or business administration which includes a module on human resources 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 six months after completion of their formal qualification).

Skills
Core competencies

• Team work
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Knowing and managing yourself

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

• Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
• Experience in the subject area through academic work or research
• Field and/or developing country experience

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of French, and knowledge of another UN language.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Interns do not receive a salary. They do however receive a living allowance. The allowance depends on the duty station and other external support (grant, scholarships, etc.) received by the intern. In Geneva, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is CHF 1680 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 a lumpsum of CHF 15 for each working day to buy lunch at WHO campus or elsewhere. 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 details
• Interns are not eligible to take up a consultant or other non-staff contract in WHO for a period of three months following the end of the internship. However, no such restriction applies to temporary or longer-term staff positions if the vacancy has been advertised and a competitive process completed.
• 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.