Internship - Insights and Analytics/WSE_2

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

The Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems division (WSE) is responsible for building a system of collaborative intelligence enabling better decisions to avert and manage public health threats and risks. Its goal is to enable, strengthen and support countries, regional and global actors in averting and managing public health threats and risks through collaborative problem solving and decision-making for short-term action and long-term policies informed by better data and analytics.

The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence is a new office of WHO, located in Berlin. It will work with partners to enable the generation of public health relevant information to provide timely actionable insights in response to health emergencies and improve decision-making in response to public health threats. It also aims to reduce fragmentation and inefficiency by creating an ecosystem that promotes collaboration across multiple professional disciplines, sectors, and initiatives; and empower decision-makers, public health professionals, and civil society to make informed public health decisions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference
The incumbent supports, the design, development and implementation of public health solutions, strategies, policies and projects in the areas of early detection, analysis, assessment and communication of public health emergencies and provides technical support in the areas of public health intelligence innovation and integration in line with the unit’s activities and objectives.

Under the guidance of the Unit Head, Insights and Analytics (IAA), the intern will support activities that directly relate to the insights and analytics for pandemic and epidemic intelligence. These activities may include any or all of the following to varying degrees according to the intern's interests and skills:

• Support landscaping for insights and analytic activities in pandemic and epidemic intelligence.
• Identify existing tools for pandemic and epidemic intelligence and document them in a way that they can be shared.
• Support the preparation of materials for meetings and publications in the area of pandemic and epidemic intelligence.
• Support analysis, revisions, and documentation of data related to ongoing epidemics and pandemics.
• Review literature and conduct literature surveys or undertake web research and data collection on a specific subject area
• Assist in drafting, formatting, and editing documents and materials, including policy briefs, tool kits, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures, web content, and reports
• Participate in ongoing unit projects

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: Know how to systematically search the literature, including setting up a search strategy, working in different databases, and writing a review protocol.

• Know how to systematically search the literature, including setting up a search strategy, working in different databases, and writing a review protocol.
• Know- how to do a landscape analysis of existing tools, and prepare protocols and surveys.
• Summarize and write effectively.
• Know about the main topics in pandemic and epidemic intelligence
• Understand issues conducting and sharing joint analysis.

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

Tentative start date 1 September 2024 - duration 24 weeks.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed the equivalent of at least three years of full-time studies in data science, epidemiology, public health, medicine, or a related field at a university or equivalent institution before 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 they apply to the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).

Skills

• Knowledge of systematic literature searches and landscaping exercises.
• Familiarity with scientific publications.
• Familiarity with basic epidemiological terms and analysis.

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

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 XLStat may be an advantage.

Experience

• Knowledge of systematic literature searches and landscaping exercises.
• Familiarity with scientific publications.
• Familiarity with basic epidemiological terms and analysis.

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 Berlin, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is EUR 1254 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 Berlin will receive a lumpsum of 10 EUR for each working day. 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.
• Interns are not among the International Organization staff who enjoy privileges. Their entry into and stay in Germany are subject to the valid residence provisions. The requisite approval of the Central Placement Office of the Federal Employment ZAV) must be obtained in advance by the International Organization and sent the intern in good time before the application is submitted. A visa can only be issued if the necessary certificate from the ZAV is presented.
• 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 directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.