The WHO Internship 2027 in Geneva offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience at the World Health Organization headquarters in Switzerland.
WHO is currently accepting applications for an opportunity with its Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention. The selected intern will contribute to work connected with the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic while developing experience in global health research, data validation, communication, and policy monitoring.
This is a full-time, six-month opportunity scheduled to run from 1 February to 16 July 2027. The official vacancy lists 29 September 2026 as the closing date, although WHO notes that the displayed closing time reflects the applicant’s device settings.
Students exploring similar opportunities with international organizations can browse our latest international internships for more programs available worldwide.
WHO Internship 2027 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Department | Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Internship Type | Full-time |
| Duration | 6 months |
| Starting Date | 1 February 2027 |
| End Date | 16 July 2027 |
| Academic Fields | Health or data science-related fields |
| Salary | No salary |
| Living Allowance | Up to CHF 1,680/month for eligible Geneva interns residing outside the duty station |
| Lunch Support | CHF 20 voucher per working day in Geneva |
| Insurance | Medical and accident insurance |
| Application Deadline | 29 September 2026 |
| Application Method | Online through WHO Stellis |
About the World Health Organization Internship Programme
The World Health Organization offers internships to eligible students and recent graduates from around the world.
These opportunities allow participants to gain practical exposure to WHO’s technical and administrative work. Opportunity areas can include public health as well as communication, external relations, human resources, management, and other fields relevant to WHO’s activities.
WHO internships take place at different organizational locations. These can include headquarters, regional offices, and country offices.
Each vacancy has its own requirements and deadline. Therefore, applicants should always read the individual position notice rather than relying only on general WHO opportunity requirements.
Applicants should also review the WHO Internship Programme information before submitting their application.
Students interested in gaining experience elsewhere in the UN system can also read our complete guide to the United Nations Internship Program, which explains eligibility, application requirements, and internship opportunities across different UN departments and offices.
What Is This Geneva Internship About?
This particular opportunity is connected to the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic.
WHO publishes the report every two years to track progress in tobacco-control policies across its Member States. The next report will be the eleventh in the series and is scheduled for publication in 2027.
The selected intern will support activities associated with preparing that report.
This makes the position particularly relevant to students interested in areas such as:
- Public health
- Global health
- Epidemiology
- Health policy
- Data science
- Statistics
- Health research
- Tobacco control
- Data analysis
Applicants should still compare their academic background with the precise requirements in the official vacancy before applying.
What Will the Intern Do?
This is not simply an observational placement.
WHO lists several practical responsibilities for the selected intern.
These include:
- Proofreading and cross-checking report drafts and revisions
- Independently validating data used in analyses
- Conducting web research
- Collecting information on specific topics
- Organizing and validating data and documents
- Supporting preparations for the report launch
- Participating in ongoing departmental projects
The internship is therefore strongly connected with research, data quality and global health reporting.
Learning Objectives
WHO also identifies specific learning objectives for the placement.
During the internship, the participant should develop a better understanding of the relevant programme and its area of work.
The intern is expected to learn about:
- The global status of tobacco-control policies
- Monitoring progress in public-health policy
- Data assembly and analysis
- Communication between stakeholders
- Production of a major global report
- Differences between WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country offices
The position can therefore provide exposure to both technical research and the way a major international health organization operates.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants need to satisfy the requirements of this particular vacancy as well as WHO’s broader internship rules.
Academic Requirements
For this position, applicants must have completed the equivalent of at least three years of full-time university study before starting the internship.
Their studies should be in a health or data science-related subject.
Applicants can be currently enrolled in a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification.
Recent graduates may also qualify. WHO allows graduates to be considered when they apply within 18 months after completing their formal qualification.
Age Requirement
WHO’s general Internship Programme requires applicants to be at least 20 years old on the date they apply.
There is no reason to invent a different age limit for this particular vacancy unless WHO states one in the position notice.
Nationality
Applicants must hold a valid passport from a WHO Member State.
WHO explicitly invites candidates from around the world to apply for its Global Internship Programme.
This makes the programme international rather than limited to Swiss or European applicants.
Previous WHO Internship
Applicants must not have previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme.
Family Relationship
An applicant cannot be an immediate relative of a WHO staff member under the programme’s stated eligibility conditions. WHO gives examples such as a parent, child, or sibling.
Language Requirements
WHO’s general rule requires interns to be fluent in at least one working language of the office where they will undertake the assignment.
For this Geneva position, knowledge of another UN language at an intermediate level is listed as desirable, rather than presented as the core academic requirement.
Applicants should accurately report their language proficiency in the online application.
Skills WHO Is Looking For
The vacancy specifically identifies two core competencies:
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
However, the duties also show why other practical abilities could strengthen an application.
Experience with research, data organization, analytical work, careful proofreading, and communicating information clearly can be relevant to the role.
Applicants should demonstrate these abilities through genuine examples from their studies, research projects, internships, employment, or other relevant activities.
Is the WHO Internship Paid?
This point needs careful wording.
WHO interns do not receive a salary.
However, WHO can provide eligible selected interns with a living allowance. The exact amount depends on the duty station, the intern’s permanent residence, and any external financial support they receive.
Therefore, this opportunity should not be described simply as a salaried internship.
Living Allowance in Geneva
The current vacancy provides unusually useful financial details.
For interns whose permanent residence is outside the Geneva duty station, WHO states that the maximum living allowance can reach:
CHF 1,680 per month
For interns permanently residing in the duty station, the maximum is:
CHF 739 per month
The exact amount is calculated individually after selection using a financial disclosure form. Other grants, scholarships, or external financial support can affect the amount.
So we should avoid saying that every selected intern automatically receives CHF 1,680 each month.
It is a maximum allowance under the stated conditions.
Lunch Vouchers
Interns working in Geneva also receive lunch vouchers.
The current vacancy states that Geneva interns receive vouchers worth:
CHF 20 per working day.
WHO’s general Internship Programme FAQ confirms the same Geneva provision.
This is separate from the living allowance.
Medical and Accident Insurance
WHO provides interns with medical and accident insurance coverage during the internship period.
However, coverage before the internship begins and after it ends remains the individual’s responsibility. This includes travel periods outside the internship coverage dates.
Does WHO Pay Travel Expenses?
Applicants should not assume that WHO automatically pays international airfare.
WHO’s current FAQ says approved travel costs may be covered for some interns from least developed and middle-income countries.
That is not the same as guaranteed airfare for every selected intern.
For this reason, we should not advertise the Geneva internship as “fully funded.”
Accommodation in Geneva
WHO does not arrange accommodation for interns.
Its internship FAQ specifically states that the organization does not assist candidates in finding accommodation, although information and tips may be provided through its intern welcome materials.
This matters because WHO also warns that Geneva is expensive and accommodation can be difficult to find.
Applicants should consider this when evaluating the living allowance and their overall budget.
Internship Duration
This particular internship lasts approximately six months:
1 February 2027 – 16 July 2027.
WHO’s general programme allows internships ranging from six consecutive weeks to a maximum of 24 weeks, depending on the needs of the technical unit.
The advertised Geneva placement is therefore close to the maximum duration permitted under the general programme.
Working Schedule
The vacancy is listed as full-time.
WHO’s internship FAQ explains that Geneva interns generally work Monday through Friday for eight hours per day. Working arrangements can differ at other duty stations.
Applicants should therefore make sure they can commit to the full internship period.
Personal Time Off
WHO interns can receive personal time off equivalent to 2.5 days per month.
The days may be taken monthly or accumulated during the internship with the supervisor’s agreement.
This is useful information for candidates considering a six-month placement.
Documents and Information to Prepare
WHO’s Stellis application collects information about areas including:
- Education
- Current studies
- Language skills
- Experience
- Qualifications and certifications
- Training
- Publications
- Computer skills
- Motivation for the internship
Applicants also answer eligibility questions through the system.
Before an internship offer is finalized, candidates may also need to provide proof of enrolment or their latest completed qualification, a medical fitness certificate, and required declarations.
WHO advises applicants not to send documents until specifically requested.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through WHO’s official online recruitment platform, Stellis.
So, Applications must be submitted through the official WHO internship vacancy.
WHO does not accept internship applications outside its official recruitment system.
Applicants who are unfamiliar with WHO’s recruitment system can also review the WHO Careers application guidance for instructions on creating a candidate profile, completing an application, and submitting it through the official recruitment platform.
Step 1: Read the Official Vacancy
First, read the complete position description.
Compare your education and skills with the advertised requirements.
Step 2: Create or Update Your WHO Profile
Use WHO’s online recruitment system to create your candidate profile.
Make sure your education, language skills, qualifications, and experience are accurate.
Step 3: Prepare a Position-Specific Application
Do not submit the same generic application for every WHO opportunity.
WHO specifically recommends preparing a specific cover letter for each internship vacancy rather than using one general letter for all positions.
Step 4: Explain Your Motivation
Connect your academic background with the actual work of this internship.
For example, relevant applicants could explain their experience with:
- Public-health research
- Data analysis
- Health statistics
- Literature or web research
- Data validation
- Policy analysis
- Academic research projects
Use real examples rather than broad claims.
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
The current vacancy closes on 29 September 2026.
WHO warns that the precise closing time shown on its recruitment system reflects the user’s device settings.
Do not wait until the final hours to submit.
Selection Process
Only successful candidates are contacted.
WHO says shortlisted internship candidates may be invited to an interview, and the process can also include a written test.
Response times vary.
WHO advises that applicants who have not heard anything within approximately four to eight weeks after the vacancy closes can generally assume they were not shortlisted for that particular internship.
An unsuccessful application does not prevent an eligible candidate from applying for other WHO internships.
Tips for a Strong Application
Read the duties before writing your motivation statement.
A candidate with a health background should not simply write that they are “passionate about WHO.” Instead, explain how your studies and experience relate to the actual work.
For this vacancy, examples involving data, research, global health, policy monitoring, document review, or analytical work are particularly relevant.
Keep your application accurate.
WHO evaluates candidates using the information submitted through the recruitment system, so avoid exaggerating technical skills or experience.
Finally, tailor your cover letter to this position. WHO itself recommends a vacancy-specific cover letter.
Can You Apply for More Than One WHO Internship?
Yes.
WHO says there is no limit to the number of internship vacancies a candidate can apply for.
However, applicants should only apply where they meet the requirements.
Each application should also be tailored to the specific position.
Does a WHO Internship Lead to a WHO Job?
There is no automatic route from an internship to employment.
WHO explicitly states that its Internship Programme is not connected to its employment activities, and interns should not expect employment simply because they completed an internship.
Former interns can later apply as external candidates for WHO vacancies where they meet the required qualifications.
Important Deadline
The current application deadline is:
29 September 2026.
The internship itself is scheduled for:
1 February – 16 July 2027.
Because this is a specific current vacancy rather than an evergreen general internship guide, Pathfinderly should clearly show the deadline near the beginning of the article.
Once the deadline passes, we can mark the opportunity as closed while retaining the article for informational purposes or updating it if WHO advertises a comparable future placement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without meeting the three-year university-study requirement
- Assuming the internship pays a salary
- Describing the CHF 1,680 maximum allowance as guaranteed
- Assuming WHO automatically pays all travel costs
- Using a generic cover letter
- Waiting until the final day to create a Stellis profile
- Providing inaccurate language or technical skills
- Ignoring Geneva’s accommodation costs
- Sending documents before WHO requests them
- Assuming the opportunity guarantees future WHO employment
Careful applicants should rely on the official vacancy whenever its requirements differ from general information found elsewhere.
Those interested in education, science, culture, communication, and international cooperation can also explore UNESCO Internships for another route into an international organization.
Students and public health professionals interested in short international training programmes can also explore the WHO Summer School in France. This free, in-person programme focuses on systems thinking, noncommunicable disease prevention and healthy ageing, although participants must cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Final Thoughts
The WHO internship in Geneva offers a valuable opportunity for eligible students and recent graduates interested in global health, health policy, research, data science, and tobacco-control monitoring.
The selected intern will contribute to work associated with an important WHO global report while developing practical experience in data validation, research, document preparation, and international health communication.
Financial support is also more substantial than the word “unpaid internship” might suggest. Although interns do not receive a salary, eligible Geneva interns can receive a living allowance, daily lunch vouchers, and medical and accident insurance. The precise financial support depends on individual circumstances.
Most importantly, the application window is short. Eligible candidates interested in this particular position should review the official vacancy and submit their application through WHO Stellis before 29 September 2026.
Last verified: September 2026
Pathfinderly provides internship information for educational purposes. Eligibility requirements, financial support, dates, and application procedures can change. Always verify current information through the World Health Organization before applying.