Internship – High Impact Epidemics – HQ/HEI/EHI

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The Health Emergency Interventions Department (HEI) is responsible for ensuring that emergency-affected populations have access to timely and effective health services, ranging from humanitarian interventions, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in fragile, vulnerable and conflict settings (FCVs) to key high impact epidemic diseases including Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs), Yellow Fever, Meningitis and Cholera.
To respond to the increased risk of large urban yellow fever outbreaks with international spread that could threaten global health security, the comprehensive, a multi component Global Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy was developed by EYE partners. To ensure and guide successful implementation, three strategic objectives were defined together with milestones to be attained throughout a 10-year timeline (2017 – 2026).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

Under the direct supervision of the team lead (or a team member) in the High Impact Epidemics Unit, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:

• Support the update of country profiles for 27 yellow fever endemic countries in the African Region to understand the historical evidence of yellow fever to date
• Systematize the yellow fever key information of each one of the countries
• Systematize through a literature review yellow fever outbreaks of each one of the countries
• Compile the information using a pre-assigned template
• Support the validation of the country profiles with WHO country offices and national health authorities
• Review the information after validation by the national health authorities
• Prepare a draft version of the final document with the 27 country profiles for yellow fever in the African Region in accordance with the WHO Style guide

Learning Objectives

The purpose of the WHO Internship Programme is to provide an enriching learning experience for students and recent graduates. The Learning Objectives outlined within each internship vacancy are a key component of the programme.

Within this internship, the intern will:

• Understand the vision, structure, mandate and functions of the World Health Organization and WHO Emergency Programme and its departments.
• Understand the objectives of the Health Emergency Interventions Department, its High Impact Epidemics Unit, Yellow Fever team and the EYE Strategy.
• Enhance their interpersonal skills while working in an international and multicultural environment across the three levels of the organization
• Develop skills to prepare high-quality normative products based on the WHO Style guide standards
• Develop written communication skills while preparing materials and reports

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

12 weeks with the potential possibility of an extension based on performance and needs – tentative start date 3 February 2025

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in epidemiology, biostatistics, global health or a related field.at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the assignment; AND be enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (applicants who have already graduated may also qualify for consideration provided that they apply to the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).

Skills

• Analytical, epidemiological and research skills
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner
• A high level of individual responsibility, commitment and initiative.

Core competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication

All interns should be able to demonstrate 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

In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams working environment including SharePoint and OneDrive.

Basic knowledge of documentation translation tools and techniques would be an advantage.

Experience

• Research and reporting: demonstrated experience in conducting research and drafting comprehensive reports.
• Project participation: actively involved in cross-sectorial, national, and international projects.
• Public health knowledge: basic understanding of public health issues.
• Scientific reference management software: experience in using tools such as EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero for organizing and managing bibliographic data.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other UN language.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Interns do not receive a salary. They do however receive a living allowance. The amount of living allowance is different in each duty station. The amount also depends on any other external financial support received by the intern (grant, scholarships, etc.) and whether their permanent residence is in the duty station of the internship. In Geneva, for interns with permanent residence in the duty station, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is 720 CHF per month. For interns whose permanent residence is outside of the duty station, the maximum amount is 1620 CHF per month. The exact amount of the living allowance will be calculated for each intern, after selection, based on a legal financial disclosure form that the individual will complete. In addition, all interns in Geneva will receive a daily lumpsum amount for meal expenses (20 CHF per working day). WHO also provides all interns with accident and medical insurance coverage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted
• Living abroad is expensive and finding accommodation can be challenging. All intern candidates should be aware of these factors before they consider applying for a WHO Internship.
• If selected for a WHO Internship, candidates will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrolment in an eligible course of studies, a completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work, and the contact details for reference checks.
• WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link:http://www.whed.net.Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put theWHO Values Charterinto practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to: reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Department of Staff Health and Wellbeing (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.