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The WHO Internship Programme 2026 is one of the most respected paid internship opportunities in the global health sector. Offered by the World Health Organization across headquarters in Geneva, six regional offices, and country offices worldwide, the program places students and recent graduates on real public health projects with measurable impact. Whether your background is in public health, medicine, epidemiology, communications, or data analysis, the WHO Internship Programme 2026 offers structured professional experience at the heart of the global health system.
The WHO Internship Programme 2026 provides eligible interns with a living allowance and full medical and accident insurance. Positions are posted on a rolling basis throughout the year with no single annual deadline — making this one of the most flexible and accessible entry points into a career in international public health for students from any WHO Member State.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Organization | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Internship Type | Paid (Living Allowance + Medical Insurance) |
| Location | Geneva HQ, 6 Regional Offices, and Country Offices Worldwide |
| Duration | 6 to 24 weeks (Full-time) |
| Living Allowance | Provided to eligible interns — amount varies by duty station |
| Medical Insurance | Full coverage for all interns throughout the internship |
| Lunch Support | Lunch vouchers may be available at some duty stations (including Geneva) |
| Minimum Age | 20 years on date of application |
| Eligibility | Enrolled in university OR completed degree within 6 months |
| Nationality | Citizen of a WHO Member State |
| Deadline | Rolling (varies by vacancy) |
| Application Portal | careers.who.int (WHO Stellis system) |
Detail Description
The WHO Internship Programme 2026 connects students and graduates with WHO’s technical and administrative teams at headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and across regional and country offices in Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific. Interns work on live projects in areas including public health, epidemiology, disease surveillance, nutrition, mental health, emergency preparedness, communications, human resources, and data analysis. Each internship is posted as a specific vacancy notice on the WHO Stellis platform with its own requirements, location, and closing date.
WHO is committed to building a geographically and professionally diverse intern community. The program is designed to give students practical, hands-on exposure to how global health policy, disease control, and emergency response are designed and implemented at the international level — experience that is recognized worldwide by employers in government, NGOs, academia, and the broader UN system.
Benefits
- Living Allowance: WHO provides a living allowance to eligible interns who need financial support. The amount varies by duty station and is listed in each vacancy notice. Eligibility is assessed after selection through a Declaration of Interests form.
- Medical and Accident Insurance: All interns receive full medical and accident insurance from the official start date to the end date of the internship — at no cost to the intern.
- Lunch Support: Interns in Geneva receive daily lunch vouchers worth CHF 20. Arrangements at other duty stations are communicated during the interview process.
- Hands-On Global Health Experience: Interns contribute directly to active WHO programs and projects, building a recognized professional portfolio in international public health.
- WHO Network Access: Direct exposure to WHO staff, regional health experts, and international public health professionals — a career network that extends beyond the internship.
- WHO Brand Recognition: A WHO internship is one of the most credible marks of professional experience in global health, valued across governments, NGOs, and the UN system worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: At least 20 years old on the date of application.
- Education: Currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate programme in a public health, medical, social, management, communications, or administrative field — or completed a degree within the past 6 months.
- Minimum Study: Must have completed at least 3 years of full-time university study (bachelor’s level equivalent) before starting.
- Language: Fluent in at least one working language of the WHO office being applied to (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish depending on the region).
- Nationality: Must hold a valid passport of a WHO Member State (194 countries).
- No Family Relation: Must not be related to a WHO staff member (son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, or father).
- No Prior WHO Internship: Each person may only undertake one WHO internship — previous participants are not eligible.
- Availability: Must be available full-time for a minimum of 6 weeks and up to 24 weeks.
Required Documents
- Completed online profile in the WHO Stellis system at careers.who.int covering education, language skills, work experience, certifications, and publications
- Tailored cover letter for each specific vacancy explaining your motivation and fit for that role
- CV highlighting academic achievements, relevant experience, research, and technical skills
- Proof of enrollment or degree completion (provided only if specifically requested by the technical unit)
- Declaration of Interests form and WHO medical certificate (required after selection, before internship starts)
Note: WHO asks that applicants do NOT send supporting documents until specifically requested. Submitting unsolicited documents will not strengthen your application.
Application Process
Step 1: Search for Open Vacancies
Visit careers.who.int and search for “internship” to see all currently open positions. Filter by location, field, or duty station to find roles that match your background.
Step 2: Read Each Vacancy Carefully
Each vacancy notice states the tasks, required education, language, duty station, duration, and living allowance amount. Confirm you meet every requirement before applying.
Step 3: Build Your WHO Stellis Profile
Create a detailed profile in the Stellis system covering your education, languages, experience, and skills. A complete, well-written profile is the foundation of your WHO application.
Step 4: Write a Specific Cover Letter
Write a tailored cover letter for each position — not a generic one. Explain why you want that specific role at that duty station and how your background fits the work of that WHO technical unit.
Step 5: Submit and Wait
Submit before the vacancy closing date. WHO reviews applications on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you don’t hear back within 1–2 months of the vacancy closing, you may reapply to new openings.
Deadline
The WHO Internship Programme 2026 has no single annual deadline. Vacancies are posted continuously throughout the year at WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country offices. Each vacancy carries its own closing date. Some regional offices post on specific months only — for example, the Western Pacific Regional Office posts vacancies in February, May, August, and November. Check the official portal regularly for new openings.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the official website below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the WHO Internship Programme 2026 paid?
Yes. WHO provides a living allowance to eligible interns who need financial support — assessed after selection through a Declaration of Interests form. The amount varies by duty station and is listed in each vacancy. All interns also receive full medical and accident insurance at no cost.
2. What is the duration of a WHO internship?
WHO internships run for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 24 weeks on a full-time basis. Duration is determined by the needs of the specific WHO technical unit. In exceptional cases, extensions up to 6 months total may be approved.
3. Can I apply if I have already graduated?
Yes, if you apply within 6 months of completing your degree. Beyond 6 months, you are no longer eligible for HQ positions. Note that some WHO regional offices may state 18 months — always check the specific vacancy requirements for the office you are applying to.
4. Can I apply to multiple WHO internship vacancies at the same time?
Yes, there is no limit to how many vacancies you can apply to simultaneously. However, always write a specific, tailored cover letter for each position. A generic cover letter significantly reduces your chances of being shortlisted.
5. Does a WHO internship lead to a job at WHO?
No. The WHO Internship Programme is explicitly not connected to WHO employment. Interns are not eligible for WHO appointments for three months after their internship ends. After that, former interns may apply as external candidates to open positions like anyone else.
6. Which countries are eligible to apply?
Applicants must hold a valid passport of a WHO Member State. With 194 Member States, this covers virtually every country in the world. There are no quotas by nationality — selection is based entirely on qualifications and fit for the specific role.
7. What fields are available in the WHO Internship Programme 2026?
Technical areas include public health, epidemiology, disease surveillance, nutrition, mental health, environmental health, emergency preparedness, and health data analysis. Administrative areas include communications, external relations, human resources, legal services, procurement, and IT. Available roles depend on what is currently posted on the WHO Stellis careers portal.
Final Thoughts
The WHO Internship Programme 2026 is one of the most distinctive opportunities in global health for motivated students and recent graduates. Competition is real and intense — write a specific cover letter for every vacancy, keep your Stellis profile complete, and apply as soon as suitable openings are posted at careers.who.int.
