WHO Opens Applications for Nine Global Internship Opportunities in Geneva and Berlin
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced nine internship opportunities for students and recent graduates interested in gaining practical experience in global public health. These internships provide an exceptional opportunity to work alongside international experts, contribute to WHO’s technical and operational programmes, and gain first-hand exposure to the work of the world’s leading public health agency.
The WHO Internship Programme is designed to strengthen the global health workforce by offering meaningful learning experiences across a wide range of technical and administrative fields. Interns are placed in WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country offices, where they support ongoing projects while developing professional competencies in an international and multicultural environment.
Current Internship Opportunities
WHO is currently recruiting interns for the following programmes:
- Public Health Intelligence Unit (PHI) – Geneva, Switzerland
- Medicines and Health Products Policies and Standards Department – Geneva, Switzerland
- Emerging Zoonoses and High Impact Epidemics – Geneva, Switzerland
- Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting (Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health) – Geneva, Switzerland
- Digital Health – Geneva, Switzerland
- Human Resources – Respectful Workplace Programme – Geneva, Switzerland
- Country Strategy and Support – Geneva, Switzerland
- Business Operations – Berlin, Germany
- Collaborative Analysis – Berlin, Germany
Application deadlines vary by position, with closing dates between 4 August and 22 August 2026.
| Position | Job ID | Location | WHO Department | Contract | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internship – Public Health Intelligence Unit (PHI) | 2602251 | Geneva, Switzerland | HQ/ARC – Alert and Response Coordination (WHE) | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 22 August 2026 |
| Internship – Medicines and Health Products Policies and Standards Department | 2602913 | Geneva, Switzerland | HQ/HPS – Medicines and Health Products Policies and Standards | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 22 August 2026 |
| Internship – Emerging Zoonoses and High Impact Epidemics | 2603131 | Geneva, Switzerland | HQ/EPM – Epidemic & Pandemic Management | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 22 August 2026 |
| Internship – Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting (SMR) | 2603014 | Geneva, Switzerland | HQ/NMH – Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 22 August 2026 |
| Internship – Business Operations | 2603059 | Berlin, Germany | HQ/EIS – Health Emergency Intelligence & Surveillance | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 21 August 2026 |
| Internship – Human Resources (Respectful Workplace Programme) | 2602825 | Geneva, Switzerland | HQ/HRT – Human Resources and Talent Management (BOS) | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 7 August 2026 |
| Internship – Digital Health | 2602682 | Geneva, Switzerland | HQ/DDA – Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 7 August 2026 |
| Intern – Collaborative Analysis | 2602482 | Berlin, Germany | HQ/EIS – Health Emergency Intelligence & Surveillance | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 4 August 2026 |
| Internship – Country Strategy and Support | 2602793 | Geneva, Switzerland | HQ/CSS – Country Strategy and Support (GPA) | Intern (Full-time, Temporary) | 4 August 2026 |
Why Consider a WHO Internship?
A WHO internship offers much more than work experience. It allows interns to:
- Gain practical exposure to international public health programmes.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams of global experts.
- Develop technical, analytical, research, and communication skills.
- Understand how WHO supports Member States in improving health systems and responding to health emergencies.
- Build an international professional network that can support future career opportunities.
Internships are available in both technical programmes, such as epidemiology, disease surveillance, digital health, and medicines policy, as well as administrative functions, including human resources and business operations.
Benefits
WHO provides several benefits to eligible interns, including:
- Living allowance for eligible interns requiring financial support.
- Medical and accident insurance coverage during the internship period.
- Opportunities to work in a diverse, multicultural, and collaborative environment.
- Professional mentoring and learning from leading global health experts.
Internships are full-time and generally range from 6 to 24 weeks, depending on the needs of the hosting department.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should generally meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be at least 20 years of age at the time of application.
- Be currently enrolled in a university programme (undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate), or have graduated within the previous 18 months.
- Have completed at least three years of full-time university study before the internship begins.
- Be fluent in at least one of the working languages of the duty station.
- Hold citizenship of a WHO Member State.
- Not have previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme.
- Not have immediate family members employed by WHO.
Applicants should carefully review the specific eligibility requirements outlined in each vacancy announcement.
Internship Locations
The current vacancies are available in:
Geneva, Switzerland (7 positions)
- Public Health Intelligence
- Medicines and Health Products Policies and Standards
- Emerging Zoonoses and High Impact Epidemics
- Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting
- Digital Health
- Human Resources
- Country Strategy and Support
Berlin, Germany (2 positions)
- Business Operations
- Collaborative Analysis
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official WHO Careers portal using the Stellis recruitment system. WHO does not accept internship applications outside its online recruitment platform.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review each vacancy carefully, ensure they meet the eligibility requirements, and submit their applications before the respective deadlines.
A Valuable Opportunity for Future Global Health Professionals
The WHO Internship Programme remains one of the most prestigious internship opportunities for students and recent graduates interested in global health, public health policy, epidemiology, digital health, emergency preparedness, health systems, and international development.
Although competition is highly competitive, successful applicants gain invaluable experience working within WHO’s technical programmes and contribute to initiatives that improve health outcomes worldwide.
For aspiring public health professionals, researchers, clinicians, and young leaders, this internship can serve as an important stepping stone toward a career in international health and development.
Application Period: 4–22 August 2026 (depending on the position)
We encourage eligible candidates to apply early and share this opportunity with students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals interested in advancing global public health.
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