Are you a university student or recent graduate hoping to gain international experience in public health, administration, communications, or international development? The World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Programme offers eligible candidates an opportunity to gain practical experience while contributing to global health initiatives.
The programme allows students and recent graduates from different academic backgrounds to learn about the technical and administrative work of WHO. Interns may work with teams involved in public health, health systems, communications, external relations, human resources, management, and other organizational functions.
WHO internships are offered through offices around the world, including headquarters, regional offices, and country offices. Opportunities depend on the needs of individual teams and the vacancies advertised on the WHO Careers website.
For eligible candidates who need financial assistance, WHO may provide a living allowance following an assessment of their circumstances. Interns also receive medical and accident insurance coverage during their internship.
Applications must be submitted through the official WHO recruitment system, known as Stellis. Internship vacancies are advertised throughout the year, and each vacancy has its own application requirements and deadline.
About the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Its work includes supporting countries in strengthening health systems, preventing and responding to disease outbreaks, improving access to healthcare, and addressing major global health challenges.
Through its Internship Programme, WHO seeks to give students and recent graduates opportunities to develop their professional skills and gain insight into the work of an international health organization.
The programme also enables WHO teams to benefit from the knowledge, research skills, and perspectives of students from diverse academic backgrounds.
WHO Internship Programme 2026: Overview
- Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)
- Programme: WHO Internship Programme
- Internship type: International internship
- Locations: WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country offices
- Duration: 6–24 weeks, depending on the assignment
- Work arrangement: Full-time
- Eligible applicants: Qualified university students and recent graduates
- Academic backgrounds: Public health, medicine, social sciences, management, administration, communications, and related disciplines
- Financial support: Living allowance for eligible interns following an assessment
- Insurance: Medical and accident insurance during the internship
- Application method: Online through WHO's Stellis recruitment system
- Application deadline: Varies by vacancy; applicants should check the closing date on the official WHO Careers website.
Important: The WHO Internship Programme is competitive. Meeting the general eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
Benefits of the WHO Internship Programme
1. International Work Experience
Successful applicants gain exposure to the work of an international public health organization. Depending on their assignment, interns may contribute to research, programme activities, administrative tasks, communications, or other projects.
This experience can help participants better understand how international health programmes operate.
2. Living Allowance for Eligible Interns
WHO provides a living allowance to eligible selected interns who need financial support. Eligibility is assessed using information supplied by candidates, including financial disclosures.
The amount and applicable conditions should be checked in the specific internship vacancy notice. Applicants should not assume that every internship includes the same payment or that all interns automatically qualify for financial assistance.
3. Medical and Accident Insurance
WHO provides medical and accident insurance coverage during the internship period. However, insurance before the internship begins and after it ends, including travel to and from the duty station, remains the intern's responsibility.
Applicants should carefully review the insurance arrangements before accepting an offer.
4. Professional Development
Interns can develop practical skills relevant to their academic and career interests. Depending on the assignment, this may include research, writing, data analysis, project coordination, administration, communications, and programme support.
5. International Networking
Working with WHO teams can expose interns to professionals from different countries and disciplines. This can help participants learn about international public health and explore possible future career paths.
6. A Certificate of International Experience
An internship provides evidence of practical experience that candidates may include on their CVs and professional profiles. Any documentation provided at the end of the assignment will depend on WHO's applicable procedures.
Available Internship Areas
WHO internship vacancies may cover a range of technical and administrative functions.
Possible areas include:
- Public health
- Health systems and policy
- Medical and health sciences
- Research and data analysis
- Social sciences
- Communications
- External relations
- Human resources
- Administration and management
- Programme coordination
- Health promotion
- International development
The available roles vary according to the needs of WHO offices and departments. Candidates should read each vacancy description carefully to identify the required academic background and skills.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet WHO's general eligibility criteria and any additional requirements stated in the vacancy notice.
1. Age Requirement
Applicants must be at least 20 years old on the date of application.
2. Educational Background
Applicants must be enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification. Eligible fields include public health, medicine, social sciences, management, administration, communications, external relations, and other fields relevant to the internship.
Applicants must also have completed at least three years of full-time university-level study before starting the internship.
3. Recent Graduates
Candidates who have already completed their formal qualification may also be considered if they apply within 18 months of completing that qualification, subject to WHO's eligibility requirements.
4. Language Skills
Applicants must be fluent in at least one of the working languages of the office where the internship will take place. Specific language requirements may vary by location and assignment.
5. Nationality
Applicants must hold a valid passport issued by a WHO Member State.
6. Family Relationship Restrictions
Applicants must not be related to a WHO staff member in a prohibited degree of relationship, such as a parent, child, or sibling.
7. Previous WHO Internship
Candidates who have previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme are not eligible to participate again.
Eligibility reminder: Always review the current official requirements and the vacancy notice before applying, as the specific assignment may have additional conditions.
Required Documents and Information
The online application process generally requires candidates to provide information about their:
- Educational qualifications and current studies
- Academic and professional experience
- Language skills
- Relevant training and certifications
- Publications or research experience, where applicable
- Computer and technical skills
- Motivation for applying to the specific internship
Applicants should prepare an updated CV and a tailored motivation statement or cover letter, where requested.
WHO advises candidates not to send additional documents unless specifically asked to do so.
How to Apply for the WHO Internship Programme
Follow these steps to submit an application.
Step 1: Visit the Official WHO Careers Website
Open the official WHO Careers website and navigate to the Internship Programme section.
Step 2: Search for Available Internship Vacancies
Review the available internship notices and identify assignments that match your qualifications, academic background, interests, and preferred location.
Step 3: Create a Stellis Account
WHO uses its online recruitment system, Stellis, to receive and manage internship applications. Create an account or sign in to your existing account.
Step 4: Complete Your Application Profile
Provide accurate information about your education, work experience, language proficiency, relevant skills, and motivation.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Follow the instructions in the vacancy notice and submit your application before the specified deadline. Tailor your motivation statement to the particular internship instead of relying on a generic application.
Step 6: Monitor Your Email
If shortlisted, you may be contacted for further assessments or an interview. WHO notes that only successful or shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Internship Duration and Working Arrangements
WHO internships generally last between six and 24 weeks, depending on the needs of the receiving technical unit.
Internships are full-time assignments. Working hours and arrangements may differ by duty station and will be discussed during the recruitment process.
Before accepting an offer, candidates should consider the expected working hours, travel requirements, accommodation costs, visa arrangements, and the financial support available for their particular assignment.
Application Deadline
There is no single application deadline for all WHO internships. Vacancies are advertised on a continuing basis, and each notice specifies its own closing date and requirements.
Applicants should regularly check the official WHO recruitment system for opportunities that match their qualifications.
Official Application Link
Visit the official WHO Internship Programme page for eligibility information and access to available vacancies:
WHO Internship Programme: https://www.who.int/careers/internship-programme
Applications must be submitted through WHO's official online recruitment system. Avoid unofficial agents or websites that promise selection in exchange for payment. WHO does not charge applicants recruitment or application fees.
Official WHO Careers Website
Conclusion
The WHO Internship Programme 2026 offers eligible students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience in international public health and related administrative fields.
With assignments lasting six to 24 weeks, exposure to WHO programmes, and financial support available to eligible interns who need assistance, the programme may be valuable for candidates preparing for careers in health, research, communications, administration, and international development.
Interested applicants should review the official eligibility criteria, identify suitable vacancies, and submit tailored applications through WHO's Stellis recruitment system before the relevant deadlines.
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