Internship - Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours/MSD

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Within the Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) Cluster the objective of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use (MSD) is to promote mental health worldwide and to reduce the burden associated with mental, neurological and substance use disorders. Specific objectives of the Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (ADA) unit at the MSD Department are as follows:
Develop the scientific basis for promotion of effective strategies and interventions for the prevention and management of disorders due to substance use and addictive behaviours.
Develop, test and evaluate strategies, interventions and relevant technical tools for reducing public health problems caused by psychoactive substance use and addictive behaviours.
Collate, compile and disseminate scientific information on public health implications of alcohol and drug use and disorders due to substance use and addictive behaviours.
Promote an integrated approach to prevention and management of disorders due to substance use and addictive behaviours within the health care system, in particular primary care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference
Under the supervision of the Unit Head / Senior Technical Officer / Scientist / Medical Officer, Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours, Department of Mental Health and Substance Use (MSD), the intern will support the delivery of activities related to the area of work of the Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (ADA) which will include the following:

• support the implementation of programme activities on alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours by conducting literature searches and preparing briefing notes and background documents;
• support the team in the preparation of information products for publication;
• support the team in the preparation and reporting of meetings, including slides and note taking;
• participate in the development of the Global report on progress with attainment on UN SDG health target 3.5, particularly with the inclusion of graphs, tables, statistical annexes and country profiles;
• participate in conducting the Global survey on progress with UN SDG health target 3.5, particularly in checking survey submissions for missing responses, clarifying responses, and in handling the data file linked to the survey submissions;
• contribute to developing the training materials for the WHO Academy; and
• participate in other projects of the unit.

Learning objectives

• Understand the objectives of MSD/ADA
• Communicate clearly about MSD/ADA
• Understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices and country offices
• Know how to conduct and review literature reviews
• Know how to conduct a global survey
• Know how to assemble data and prepare comprehensive analyses
• Prepare background documents for meetings
• Prepare a project plan for an event/meeting
• Develop outlines and policy briefs

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

24 weeks. Tentative start date: July 2023

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed three years of full-time studies in health sciences, social sciences, epidemiology, information sciences, statistics, or related field 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 (applicants who have already graduated may also qualify for consideration provided that they apply for the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).

Skills
Core competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference
• 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. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software such as Dataform, XLStat may be an advantage.

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
• Experience with data analysis, statistical packages and interest in the design of graphical display and analysis of health information in an international comparative perspective, such as for health system performance assessment
• More specific experience such as specialized computer programmes

Languages

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