WHO Internship Programme 2027 | Paid Global Health Internships in Geneva
Landing an internship at the World Health Organization is one of the most direct ways to gain hands-on global health experience. Unlike university-run exchange programs, WHO’s Internship Programme runs continuously — new vacancies open throughout the year across different departments, each with its own deadline and duration.
One current example: WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention in Geneva has an open internship supporting the upcoming WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, running from February to July 2027. This guide explains how the programme works, what this specific opening involves, and how to apply — plus what to do if this listing has already closed by the time you’re reading this.
WHO internships are open to students and recent graduates from any WHO Member State. They are not fully funded positions, but eligible interns do receive a monthly living allowance, medical insurance, and (in Geneva) daily lunch vouchers.
Quick Answer
WHO’s Internship Programme posts individual internship vacancies on a rolling basis via its Stellis recruitment portal, each with its own department, duration, and deadline. A current example internship in Geneva’s tobacco control team runs 1 February–16 July 2027, with an application deadline of 28 September 2026. Interns receive a capped monthly living allowance rather than a salary.
Details About the WHO Internship Programme
- Program: WHO Internship Programme (general); featured vacancy: Internship, Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention
- Administered by: World Health Organization, via the Stellis online recruitment system
- Location: WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland (other internships are posted in regional/country offices)
- Level: Undergraduate (final years), graduate, and postgraduate students; recent graduates within 18 months of completing their qualification
- Duration: Featured vacancy runs 1 February 2027 to 16 July 2027; WHO internships generally run 6 to 24 weeks
- Funding type: Capped monthly living allowance (not a salary), plus medical/accident insurance
- Application deadline: 28 September 2026 for the featured vacancy — verify the exact date and time directly on Stellis, as this listing closes imminently and each new vacancy has its own deadline
Also check: UN Youth Townhall 2026 in Germany
- Interns receive a living allowance, capped at 739 CHF per month for interns whose permanent residence is in Geneva, and 1,680 CHF per month for interns whose permanent residence is elsewhere — the exact amount is calculated individually after selection.
- Daily lunch vouchers worth 20 CHF are provided for interns based in Geneva.
- Medical and accident insurance is provided for the duration of the internship (not before the start date or after the end date).
- No salary is paid — WHO internships are explicitly not compensated employment, and travel/accommodation to the duty station remain the intern’s responsibility.
Also check: WHO Global Internship Program 2026
Eligibility
- You are at least 20 years old on the date of application (general programme requirement).
- You have completed at least three years of full-time study at university level, in a subject relevant to the specific vacancy (for the featured vacancy: health or data-science related).
- You are currently enrolled in a qualifying course of study, or have completed one within the last 18 months.
- You hold a valid passport of a WHO Member State.
- You have expert knowledge of English (for the featured vacancy); other vacancies may require different working languages depending on duty station.
- You are not related to a current WHO staff member.
- You have not previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme.
Who Is NOT Eligible
- Applicants under 20 years of age
- Applicants who have already completed a WHO internship previously
- Applicants who are close relatives of current WHO staff
- Applicants whose academic qualification is not recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
Also check: FAO UN Internship Program 2026-27
Required Documents
- Completed Stellis application profile
- Proof of current enrolment, or proof of qualification completion (if applying within 18 months of graduating)
- Declaration of Interests form (submitted after an offer, disclosing any other financial support such as grants or scholarships)
- WHO medical certificate of fitness for work (submitted before the internship starts, if selected)
Who Should Apply?
Students and recent graduates in public health, medicine, data science, social sciences, or related fields who want structured, short-term experience inside an international health organization — particularly those comfortable with the fact that this is an unpaid-but-supported position, not paid employment.
How This Internship Programme Actually Works (Important)
WHO does not run one single “2027 internship intake.” Instead, individual departments post specific vacancies continuously throughout the year via Stellis, each tied to a real project with its own timeline. If the tobacco-report internship featured here has already closed by the time you read this, search careers.who.int directly for current internship vacancy notices — new ones open regularly across headquarters, regional, and country offices.
Why Apply for a WHO Internship?
It offers direct exposure to how a UN specialized health agency produces flagship global reports and coordinates across headquarters, regional, and country offices — experience that is difficult to get anywhere else at the student level.
Also check: United Nations Volunteer (UNV) 2026
How to Apply
- Create or update your Stellis profile on the WHO careers portal — this is the only way to apply; WHO does not accept applications by email.
- Search current internship vacancies at careers.who.int, since listings and deadlines change continuously.
- Confirm your eligibility against the specific vacancy’s education, language, and duration requirements.
- Submit your application before the stated deadline, including proof of enrolment or recent graduation.
- If selected, complete the Declaration of Interests form and provide a medical certificate of fitness for work before your start date.
Important Dates
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Featured vacancy application deadline | 28 September 2026 | Verify exact time/time zone on Stellis before this closes |
| Featured internship start date | 1 February 2027 | Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention |
| Featured internship end date | 16 July 2027 | ~5.5 months |
| New vacancies | Posted continuously | Check Stellis regularly — WHO does not run fixed annual application cycles |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Interns receive a capped monthly living allowance and, in Geneva, lunch vouchers and medical insurance — but not a salary, and not covered travel or accommodation.
No. WHO posts individual internship vacancies on a rolling basis throughout the year, each with its own deadline.
Yes, within 18 months of completing your qualification, provided you meet the specific vacancy’s requirements.
Only through Stellis, WHO’s official online recruitment system at careers.who.int. WHO does not accept internship applications by any other channel.
Search current vacancies directly on careers.who.int — similar internships in other departments are posted regularly.
