Call for internship applications at the WHO

The World Health Organization Headquarters, Geneva is accepting applications for internships for the Non Communicable diseases and mental health cluster(NMH).
The NMH Cluster includes the following departments: Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, (in which the activities for the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health are included), Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Nutrition for Health and Development, Tobacco Free Initiative, Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability.

The deadline to submitting applications is the 31st October.

Basic information copied from the vacancy notice is provided below, further details can be found through these links:
- Vacancy notice
- WHO internships

Title: Internship - NMH Winter 2008 2009
Grade: P level
Contract type: Internship
Duration of contract: 6 - 12 weeks

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:
The WHO internship programme has three objectives: (a) to provide a framework for assigning students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes, where educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments; (b) to expose students to the work of WHO and (c) to provide WHO programmes with the assistance of students specializing in various fields. Most students are placed in health-related programmes, although other disciplines can be considered as appropriate.

Description of duties:
Under the supervision of a professional in the department concerned, interns typically contribute to some or all of the following responsibilities:
- review literature
- undertake research in a particular subject area
- collate information on topics related to the subject area
- organize data and documents
- develop tools and guidelines
- draft reports
- participate in on-going departmental projects

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Minimum of three years university studies, ideally a first degree, in medical or social science or a field related to the technical work of WHO. The intern must be a student during the internship. Additionally there are limited possibilities for students from disciplines such as Information Technology, Media Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration and/or Public Administration.

Skills:
All interns should possess 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
- Respecting and promoting difference

In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes may be an advantage.

Experience:
Experience in research and in drafting reports would be preferred. Experience in the subject area through academic work or research would be an advantage.
Field and/or developing country experience would be an advantage.
More specific experience such as statistics or specialized computer programmes may be needed for some internships.

Languages:
Interns should have a good working knowledge or English and/or French and should possess some knowledge of the other.
Knowledge of other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) would be an advantage.

Additional Information:
Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Interns must be minimum 20 years of age and be enrolled in a course of study leading to a formal qualification (graduate or post-graduate) to be eligible for the program. All internships at WHO are unpaid and full-time.

WHO accepts no responsibility for medical insurance of interns or costs arising from illness incurred during an internship.

Interns are NOT eligible for appointment to any position in WHO for a period of three months following the end of the internship.

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