The World Health Organization (WHO) is inviting applications for its Health Emergencies Internship 2026, offering students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in global epidemic and pandemic preparedness.
Hosted by the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM) at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, this 24-week full-time internship allows interns to contribute to international health emergency initiatives, medical countermeasure strategies, and pandemic preparedness while working alongside leading global health experts.
About the WHO Health Emergencies Internship
The internship is offered within WHO’s Medical Countermeasures (MCM) Unit, which supports countries in preparing for and responding to epidemics and pandemics through equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures.
Interns will work on projects involving the International Coordination Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG), the WHO BioHub, influenza preparedness initiatives, and the i-MCM-Net, gaining valuable exposure to international public health policy and emergency response.
Internship Details
- Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)
- Department: Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM)
- Unit: Medical Countermeasures (MCM)
- Position: Health Emergencies Intern
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Duration: 24 Weeks
- Internship Period: 5 October 2026 – 19 March 2027
- Employment Type: Full-Time
- Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
Internship Responsibilities
Selected interns will support WHO’s work by:
- Conducting literature reviews on medical countermeasures and emerging health technologies.
- Collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to support epidemic and pandemic preparedness research.
- Assisting in drafting policy briefs, reports, toolkits, manuals, and guidance documents.
- Supporting the organization of international meetings, workshops, and conferences.
- Participating in projects related to vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and pandemic preparedness.
- Preparing background documents and technical materials for meetings.
- Supporting ongoing initiatives within the Medical Countermeasures Unit.
Learning Opportunities
During the internship, participants will gain practical experience in:
- Global epidemic and pandemic preparedness
- Medical countermeasure systems
- International public health policy
- Scientific literature reviews
- Data analysis and reporting
- Global health coordination
- WHO headquarters operations
- Preparation of technical documentation for international meetings
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have completed at least three years of undergraduate study before the internship begins and remain enrolled in a university program, or have graduated within the previous 18 months.
- Be studying or have studied in fields such as:
- Medicine
- Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
- Medical Sciences
- Information Sciences
- Statistics
- Public Health
- Or another related discipline.
Required Skills
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Strong communication skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Scientific research and writing experience
- Ability to conduct literature reviews
- Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Knowledge of statistical software such as R or XLStat is considered an advantage.
Preferred Experience
Preference may be given to candidates with experience in:
- Public health
- Emergency preparedness
- Infectious diseases
- Pharmaceutical or medical countermeasures
- Statistical analysis or modelling
- Research conducted in developing countries
- Specialized analytical software
Financial Support
WHO internships are unpaid; however, interns receive financial support that includes:
- Monthly living allowance
- Up to CHF 1,680 per month for interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva.
- Up to CHF 739 per month for interns residing in Geneva.
- Daily lunch vouchers worth CHF 20 per working day (for Geneva-based interns).
- Medical insurance coverage.
- Accident insurance coverage.
Additional Information
Applicants should note that:
- WHO internships are highly competitive.
- Living costs in Geneva are relatively high.
- Successful candidates will be required to provide proof of enrolment (or recent graduation), medical fitness documentation, and references.
- WHO encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their application through the WHO Careers Portal before the closing date. Ensure that all required documents are complete and submitted on time, as late applications will not be considered.
Why Apply?
The WHO Health Emergencies Internship offers a unique opportunity to work on global epidemic and pandemic preparedness at the headquarters of the world’s leading public health organization. Interns gain practical experience in policy development, scientific research, emergency response coordination, and international health governance while collaborating with experts addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
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