Intern – Digital and Communications - Department of Health Promotion - No Tobacco Unit (HPR/TFI)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's UHC/Healthier Populations Division is to contribute to reducing health inequalities and reducing preventable disease and injury caused by environmental, social and economic determinants of health. This is achieved through a coordinated inter-sectoral approach aimed at enabling all people to enjoy better health and well-being, in line with the Organization's 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13) and the Sustainable Development Goals. Within the Division, the Department of Health Promotion (HPR) works to reduce risks associated with tobacco use, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, thereby contributing to better population health, through cross-cutting normative, fiscal and legal measures to enhance wellbeing, health literacy and engage multi stakeholders through settings approach and community engagement strategies. Within the HPR Department, the Unit of No Tobacco (TFI) provides global scientific and technical leadership and specialized technical assistance in matters related to implementation of MPOWER technical package in tobacco control and tobacco product regulation. In addition, TFI develops new Global Public Health Goods such as the Global Report on the Tobacco Epidemic, the WHO Technical Report Series on product regulation and Technical Standards for measuring the contents and emissions of nicotine and tobacco products.

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:

1. Support TFI’s work on digital tools for tobacco cessation.

• Support the implementation of digital projects with partners under the WHO Tobacco Cessation Consortium, including the Google Ads research, Google Knowledge Panels and related fact sheets, and improvement of chatbots
• Support the implementation of the tobacco cessation app assessment framework and validation process.

2. Support the development of advocacy and communications materials.

• Contribute to the conversion of the TB-Tobacco Monograph into a factsheet
• Support the finalization of the Tobacco Knowledge Summary on Diabetes, including developing key messages and dissemination strategy

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 role of partnerships in achieving objectives under the Tobacco Cessation Consortium
• Understand the role of digital tools in tobacco cessation
• Communicate clearly about tobacco use and related health challenges
• Communicate clearly and effectively between stakeholders to ensure the production of high-quality advocacy and communications materials

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

Start date: 01/06/2023 End date: 31/08/2023
Total duration: 2-3 months

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

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 relevant course of study (e.g. public health, psychology, communications) 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 and Knowledge

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

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

Experience

• Experience in research and/or in drafting reports in health-related areas of work
• Experience engaging with digital tools (e.g. chatbots, apps, search engines, etc.)
• Experience drafting advocacy and communications messages
• Experience in the subject area through academic work or research would be desirable

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 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 1620 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 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.