Internship – External Relations (Innovative Financing) – HQ/EXT

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the External Relations Division (EXT) is to ensure a strong and supportive set of stakeholder relations for WHO and encompasses resource mobilization, governing bodies, partnership functions and aspects of communications. Within the division, the new team in charge of innovative finance will seek to complement the division current efforts to accelerate SDGs through the use of new partnerships and financial structures that can leverage additional resources for Global Health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

Under the supervision of the Senior External Relations Officer (Innovative Financing), the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:

• organize data and documents
• assist in organizing workshops, meetings, conferences, events
• assist in drafting, formatting and editing policy briefs, tool kits, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures and reports
• coordinate with partners and donors
• undertake web research and data collection
• participate in the development of tools and guidelines
• review literature and conduct literature surveys
• participate in on-going departmental projects such as the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP), a partnership between WHO and Multilateral Development Banks to mobilize more investment into health.

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 objectives of the External Relations and Governance department and the work of the Innovative Finance team in particular
• Understand the growing area of innovative financing and the different types of models and partnerships that have been developed
• Understand the landscape of WHO partners and funders
• Communicate clearly about the work of WHO, the partnerships that WHO is involved in and the potential for innovative financing to support delivery of WHO’s goals
• Understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices and country offices
• Know how to assemble data and prepare a comprehensive analysis
• Prepare background documents and briefing materials for meetings
• Develop the outline of a document and learn to shape communication materials for different audiences

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

24 weeks – tentative start date 2 December 2024

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in: business administration, finance, economics, international relations, development studies or other relevant area, 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

Core competencies

• Team work
• 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. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software such as XLStat may be an advantage.

Experience

• Experience in drafting reports and/or in writing meeting summaries, meeting notes, briefing notes and/or other communications materials
• Experience in the subject area through academic work or research
• Knowledge of financial concepts and financial markets, familiarity with development finance actors an advantage
• Knowledge of development partners and the international development sector, knowledge of the global health sector and health financing an advantage
• Knowledge of the philanthropic funding landscape an advantage
• Field and/or developing country experience
• Experience with data analysis
• More specific experience such as specialized computer programmes, such as Power BI

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.