Intern (Non-Communicable Diseases)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To ensure that effective WHO country presence is maintained to implement WHO Country Cooperation Strategy that is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and harmonized with the United Nations Country Team.

The goal of WHO's presence in Saudi Arabia is to develop a two-way collaboration between the Secretariat and the Kingdom, by supporting the country to reach national health goals and contribute to global and regional public health action. WHO aims to create synergy and alignment between WHO priorities and national health policies, strategies and plans. Creating this synergy and alignment will be essential to advance WHO’s effectiveness and ensure WHO’s relevance at country level.

Internships provide a modality of engagement of students and young professionals to gain knowledge of WHO guidelines, programs and activities and appreciate the role of WHO in maintaining and improving health at country level and globally. In addition to the experience gained by interns, internships allow the Country Office to benefit from the active engagement, enthusiasm, and innovative ideas of interns newly exposed to the WHO.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

Under the supervision of the Public Health Officer, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:

• Assess health trends and emerging needs in coordination with Country Office staff, national authorities and health partners.
• Study the main social determinants of non-communicable diseases, factors influencing them, their health impacts, and frameworks and programs to positively influence them.
• Participate in collection of data from secondary sources including conducting reviews of literature, undertake web research and data collection on priority topics for the Country Office.
• Contribute to organizing data, performing analysis and drafting of scientific documents and reports.
• Participate in on-going departmental programs and activities, and assist in organizing workshops, meetings, conferences and other events.

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 root causes and main challenges of controlling non-communicable diseases in a high income setting
• Practice searching for data and evidence and know how to conduct and review literature surveys.
• Know how to assemble data and prepare a comprehensive analysis
• Understand how to evaluate the strength of evidence available and how to use them to develop programmatic activities.
• Understand the modality of engagement with national authorities and the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices and country offices
• Prepare background documents and presentations for meetings

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

The internship will be for a duration of 14 weeks starting on the 15^th of May 2023 and completed by the 15^th of August 2023.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Bachelor degree of medicine or health related discipline.

Desirable: Currently enrolled or recently graduated (within past 6 months) from an advanced diploma or masters program in public health.

Skills

Core competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication

Applicants 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

Applicants need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software may be an advantage.

Experience

• Experience in non-communicable diseases through academic work or research.
• Experience in research and/or in drafting reports.
• Experience with data analysis, statistical packages and interest in the design of graphical display and analysis of health information.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic.

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. 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 Saudi Arabia will receive a lumpsum amount for meal expenses. WHO also provides all interns with accident and medical insurance coverage.