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WHO Global Internship Programme 2026: Complete Application Guide & Details

Complete Guide to WHO Global Internship Programme 2026 – Eligibility, Living Allowance, Application Process & Key Rules

Organization: World Health Organization (WHO) | Opportunity: Global Internship Programme | Duration: 6 to 24 Weeks (Full-Time) | Benefits: Living Allowance, Medical Insurance & Lunch Vouchers | Eligibility: Enrolled in UG/PG/PhD or Graduated within 18 Months | Minimum Age: 20 Years | Official Portal: who.int/careers/ |

Latest Update & Programme Overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) offers the Global Internship Programme to build a diverse pool of future leaders in public health. This full-time opportunity allows enrolled students and recent graduates to gain real-world insight into technical and administrative programmes across WHO Headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland), regional offices, and country offices worldwide. The internship provides financial and welfare support through a Living Allowance for eligible selected interns, Daily Meal Support, Medical & Accident Insurance, and Monthly Leave.

Quick Overview: WHO Internship 2026

Key Parameter	Official Details
Organization	World Health Organization (WHO)
Programme Name	WHO Global Internship Programme
Internship Nature	Full-Time (8 hours/day, Monday to Friday)
Internship Duration	6 Weeks minimum up to 24 Weeks maximum (consecutive weeks)
Locations	Geneva HQ (Switzerland), 6 Regional Offices, and Country Offices
Minimum Age	At least 20 Years on the date of application
Application Mode	Online Only via WHO Stellis Recruitment System
Application Dates	Posted continuously on a rolling basis throughout the year
Official Careers Link	who.int/careers/internship-programme

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Candidates must fulfill all of the following criteria to qualify for consideration:

1. Age Requirement

• You must be at least 20 years old on the exact date you submit your online application.

2. Educational Qualification

• Currently Enrolled Students: You must be enrolled in a degree program (Undergraduate, Master's, or PhD) in Public Health, Medicine, Social Sciences, Management, Administration, Communications, or External Relations.
  • For Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Students: You must have completed at least 3 full years of study before the internship start date.
• Recent Graduates: If you have already completed your degree, you can apply within 18 months following the date of your formal qualification.
• Accredited Institution: Your university must be recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) maintained by IAU/UNESCO (accessible via whed.net).

3. Language Requirements

• You must be fluent in at least one working language of the assigned office (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese). Language proficiency may be tested during the interview process.

4. Family & Nationality Restrictions

• Family Relationship: You must not be closely related to any WHO staff member (e.g., son/daughter, brother/sister, mother/father).
• Valid Passport: You must hold a valid passport from a recognized WHO Member State.
• One-Time Opportunity: You must not have previously completed an internship with WHO.

Internship Benefits & Financial Support

WHO provides several key provisions to support eligible selected interns during their assignment:

• Living Allowance: WHO provides a monthly living allowance to eligible selected interns who need financial support. This is assessed through a legal Declaration of Interests form where you declare any external scholarships, grants, or bursaries. The exact amount varies according to the local cost of living at the specific duty station and individual financial circumstances.
• Medical & Accident Insurance: WHO provides medical and accident insurance coverage for interns during the internship period. (Note: Travel insurance before your start date and after your end date is your personal responsibility).
• Meal Vouchers / Cash: Depending on the duty station and facility availability, daily meal support is provided. Interns based at WHO Headquarters in Geneva receive daily lunch vouchers valued at CHF 20 for business days.
• Personal Time Off (Leave): Interns earn 2.5 days of personal leave per month. This can be taken monthly or accumulated with supervisor approval.
• Travel Airfare Support: Round-trip travel expenses may be covered for eligible candidates from least developed and middle-income countries.
• Certificate & Recommendation: Upon successful completion and evaluation, you can receive an official Certificate of Completion and request a letter of recommendation from your supervisor.

Rules & Candidate Obligations

Before accepting an offer and starting work, candidates must be aware of the following conditions:

• Single Location & Full-Time: The internship must be completed in one single location and cannot be split between two countries or duty stations. In Geneva, working hours are 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday.
• Medical Certificate of Fitness: You must submit a completed and signed WHO Medical Certificate of Fitness for Work before your start date.
• Visa Responsibility: You cannot undertake an internship on a tourist visa. You must obtain the appropriate visa/work permit from the host country's embassy. For Geneva, Swiss authorities consider international organization internships as gainful employment. All visa costs are borne by the candidate, though WHO provides supporting letters.
• No Staff Status: Interns do not hold the status of WHO staff members and cannot represent the organization officially.
• Confidentiality & Thesis: There is no standard provision to write your university thesis during the internship. You cannot use or publish any unpublished, confidential WHO data without explicit written permission.
• No Institutional Agreements: WHO works directly with the candidate and does not sign third-party agreements or frameworks required by universities or sponsors. The only valid legal document is the WHO Internship Offer Letter.
• Housing: Finding accommodation is the responsibility of the intern. WHO provides a welcome guide with tips, but warns candidates never to make wire transfers or advance payments to unverified sources.

Important Links

How to Write the Cover Letter & Experience Section

Writing a Winning 3-Paragraph Cover Letter

Every position requires a tailored motivation letter. Do not use a generic template. Keep it strictly under 3 paragraphs:

• Paragraph 1 (Motivation & Alignment): State clearly why you are applying for this specific WHO team/unit and why their work matters to global health.
• Paragraph 2 (Skills & Experience): Highlight your academic background, coursework, analytical skills, and relevant projects that match the job description.
• Paragraph 3 (Contributions & Goals): Explain how you will contribute to the team's objectives, what you hope to learn, and confirm your availability dates.

What If You Have No Work Experience?

If you are a student without formal professional experience, focus your profile on:

• Academic projects, research papers, lab work, and presentations.
• Volunteer work, student leadership, and community initiatives.
• Concrete examples of teamwork, problem-solving, data management, and communication skills.

Selection Process & Interview Details

1. Application Screening: Profiles submitted through Stellis are reviewed against minimum requirements. You can apply to multiple positions, but each must have a separate, custom cover letter.
2. Technical Assessment / Written Test: Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written exercise or language evaluation.
3. Interview: The technical team conducts a structured interview. Use this time to ask questions regarding learning objectives, team expectations, and exact project scopes.
4. Feedback Timeline: Only shortlisted and successful candidates are contacted. If you do not hear back within 4 to 8 weeks after the vacancy closes, you can assume you were not selected for that round. You are free to apply for new openings immediately.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

Step 1: Visit the official WHO Job Search portal directly at careers.who.int/careersection/intern/jobsearch.ftl.

Step 2: Browse through all active internship vacancies across Headquarters, Regional, and Country offices.

Step 3: Access the WHO Stellis Online Recruitment System and register or log in to your candidate account.

Step 4: Fill in all profile sections: Eligibility questions, Education history, Language proficiencies, and Skills.

Step 5: Attach your customized 3-paragraph Cover Letter, Resume (CV), and relevant academic documents.

Step 6: Review all submitted details carefully and submit your application before the vacancy deadline.

Important Links Table

Descriptions	Link
Apply Online (Open Internship Vacancies)	Click Here
Official WHO Internship Programme Page	Click Here
WHED Accredited University Search Tool	Click Here
World Health Organization (WHO) Official Website	Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Does WHO pay a living allowance to interns?
Ans: Yes, WHO provides a monthly living allowance to eligible selected interns who need financial support. Eligibility and amounts are assessed via the official Declaration of Interests form based on duty station and financial circumstances.

Q2. Can I apply if I have already graduated?
Ans: Yes, you can apply within 18 months following the completion of your degree.

Q3. What is the working schedule for interns?
Ans: Internships are full-time. In Geneva, interns work 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday.

Q4. How long does the internship last?
Ans: The duration ranges from a minimum of 6 weeks to a maximum of 24 consecutive weeks.

Q5. How many vacancies can I apply for?
Ans: There is no limit. You can apply to as many positions as you wish, provided you submit a customized 3-paragraph cover letter for each position.