WHO Internship 2026–2027 in Switzerland: Applications Open for Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting Internship

The World Health Organization (WHO) has opened applications for its Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting (SMR) Internship 2026–2027 based at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This prestigious internship offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to contribute to global public health while gaining practical experience in noncommunicable disease (NCD) surveillance, monitoring, reporting, and health information systems.

Running for 24 weeks, from 2 November 2026 to 16 April 2027, the internship provides hands-on experience supporting WHO’s efforts to strengthen global health data systems, improve country reporting, and monitor progress toward international health commitments. Applications close on 21 August 2026.

About the WHO Internship Programme

The WHO Internship Programme is designed to provide an enriching learning experience for university students and recent graduates interested in global health. Interns work alongside international experts while contributing to projects that advance WHO’s mission of improving health worldwide.

This internship is hosted within the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) under the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care (PPC). The successful intern will join the Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting (SMR) Team, which supports countries in strengthening health information systems and improving the collection, analysis, and use of data on noncommunicable diseases and mental health.

Internship Location

Geneva, Switzerland
WHO Headquarters
Full-time internship
Duration: 24 weeks
Internship period: 2 November 2026 – 16 April 2027

Internship Responsibilities

The selected intern will support WHO’s global surveillance activities with a particular focus on the WHO NCD Country Capacity Survey (NCD CCS).

Key responsibilities include:

Supporting implementation of the WHO NCD Country Capacity Survey.
Coordinating and following up on country submissions.
Tracking survey responses and identifying missing information.
Validating country responses using national policies and supporting documents.
Assisting with data management, cleaning, quality assurance, and analysis.
Preparing reports, policy briefs, presentations, and communication materials.
Organizing meetings with WHO regional offices and documenting discussions.
Maintaining WHO repositories of national policies and programme documents.
Supporting reviews of WHO STEPS and other NCD risk factor survey documentation.
Assisting with advocacy and communication materials related to NCD surveillance.
Participating in departmental meetings and knowledge management activities.

Learning Opportunities

During the internship, participants will gain valuable experience in:

WHO’s global surveillance and reporting systems.
International health information management.
Data validation and quality assurance.
Public health policy monitoring.
Preparation of policy briefs and technical reports.
Collaboration across WHO headquarters, regional, and country offices.
Documentation and knowledge management.
Communication and advocacy related to noncommunicable diseases.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following education requirements:

Have completed at least three years of full-time university studies before the internship begins.
Be currently enrolled in a university programme leading to a formal qualification or
Be a recent graduate applying within 18 months of completing their qualification.

Relevant fields of study include:

Public Health
Epidemiology
Global Health
Health Sciences
Health Policy
Data Science
Statistics
Social Sciences
International Development
Other fields relevant to noncommunicable disease surveillance.

Required Skills

Successful applicants should demonstrate:

Excellent written and verbal communication.
Teamwork and collaboration.
Respect for cultural diversity.
Ability to produce quality work.
Willingness to learn.

Applicants should also be familiar with:

Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint

Knowledge of statistical software such as R or STATA is considered an advantage.

Preferred Experience

WHO is looking for candidates with experience in:

Research projects.
Public health or epidemiology.
Document reviews.
Data collection and analysis.
Report writing.
Policy brief preparation.
Quantitative or qualitative data analysis.
Data cleaning and validation.
Document management systems and online repositories.

Language Requirements

Essential

Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable

Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language.

Financial Support

Although WHO internships are unpaid, interns receive significant financial support.

Living Allowance

Interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva may receive a living allowance of up to:

CHF 1,680 per month

Interns residing in Geneva may receive up to:

CHF 739 per month

The final allowance depends on the intern’s financial disclosure and any external funding received.

Additional Benefits

WHO also provides:

Daily lunch vouchers worth CHF 20 per working day.
Medical insurance.
Accident insurance.

Important Information

Applicants should note that:

WHO internships are highly competitive.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Living in Geneva can be expensive, and securing accommodation may be challenging.
Successful applicants must provide proof of enrolment or graduation, a medical certificate of fitness, and references before starting the internship.
WHO encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States.

Application Deadline

Application Opens: 31 July 2026
Application Deadline: 21 August 2026

Why Apply?

This internship provides an exceptional opportunity to work with one of the world’s leading international public health organizations. Participants gain practical experience in global disease surveillance, strengthen analytical and research skills, and collaborate with international experts working to improve health systems worldwide.

For students and recent graduates interested in public health, epidemiology, global health policy, or health data, the WHO Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting Internship offers valuable professional development and international exposure.

Final Thoughts

The WHO Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting Internship 2026–2027 is an outstanding opportunity for aspiring public health professionals seeking hands-on experience in global health surveillance and policy.

With a 24-week placement in Geneva, monthly living support, insurance coverage, and exposure to WHO’s global health initiatives, this internship can provide a strong foundation for a future career in international health and development.

Interested candidates should submit their applications before 21 August 2026.

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