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The WHO Health Emergencies Internship 2026 is now open for applications. This international internship offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to work with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The internship is hosted by the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM) under the Medical Countermeasures (MCM) Unit. It is designed for applicants interested in public health, infectious diseases, epidemiology, medical sciences, and pandemic preparedness.
The WHO internship will run for 24 weeks, from 5 October 2026 to 19 March 2027. Although WHO internships are unpaid, selected interns will receive a living allowance, daily lunch vouchers, and medical and accident insurance. Interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva may receive up to 1,680 CHF per month, while those living in Geneva may receive up to 739 CHF per month. WHO will determine the exact amount after selection based on a financial disclosure.
During the internship, participants will contribute to projects related to medical countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and emergency response systems. Interns will gain practical experience by supporting research, policy development, scientific analysis, technical meetings, and international health initiatives. This article explains the eligibility criteria, internship benefits, responsibilities, required documents, and the complete application process.
WhatsApp ChannelQuick Overview of WHO Health Emergencies Internship 2026
- Host Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)
- Department: Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM)
- Unit: Medical Countermeasures (MCM)
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Program Type: International Internship
- Duration: 24 weeks
- Internship Dates: 5 October 2026 to 19 March 2027
- Application Deadline: 1 August 2026
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About the WHO Health Emergencies Internship
The internship is offered by WHO’s Medical Countermeasures Unit, which works to improve global preparedness for epidemics and pandemics. The unit supports countries in ensuring timely and equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, and biological materials during health emergencies.
The department also coordinates several international initiatives, including the International Coordination Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG), WHO BioHub, and i-MCM-Net, which focus on strengthening global cooperation during disease outbreaks.
Selected interns will work alongside technical experts and gain practical experience in international public health programs. The internship is intended for students and recent graduates who want to develop professional skills while contributing to WHO’s work on epidemic and pandemic preparedness.
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Financial Benefits
Selected interns will receive several forms of financial support, including:
- Living allowance throughout the internship
- Up to 1,680 CHF per month for interns residing outside Geneva
- Up to 739 CHF per month for interns whose permanent residence is in Geneva
- Daily lunch vouchers worth 20 CHF for each working day
- Medical insurance provided by the WHO
- Accident insurance during the internship
The internship itself is unpaid, but these benefits help cover part of the living expenses during the placement.
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Internship Responsibilities
During the internship, participants will support ongoing activities within the Medical Countermeasures Unit. Their responsibilities may include:
- Conducting literature reviews on medical countermeasure products and emerging technologies
- Collecting, organizing, and analyzing scientific data
- Assisting with research manuscripts related to epidemic and pandemic preparedness
- Drafting and editing reports, policy briefs, manuals, guidance documents, and communication materials
- Supporting the organization of international workshops, conferences, and technical meetings
- Contributing to projects related to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, influenza preparedness, WHO BioHub, ICG, and i-MCM-Net
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Learning Opportunities
The internship provides practical learning in several areas of global health. Interns will have the opportunity to:
- Understand WHO’s epidemic and pandemic management framework
- Learn about equitable access to medical countermeasures
- Gain experience in literature reviews and scientific evidence mapping
- Develop skills in data analysis and technical report writing
- Prepare background documents for international meetings
- Understand how the WHO headquarters collaborates with regional and country offices
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have completed at least three years of undergraduate studies before the internship begins
- Be currently enrolled at a university leading to a formal qualification, or
- Have graduated within the last 18 months before applying
- Study one of the following or a related field:
- Medicine
- Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
- Medical Sciences
- Information Sciences
- Statistics
- Public Health
- Related disciplines
Preferred Experience
WHO encourages applicants who have experience in one or more of the following:
- Scientific research
- Scientific writing
- Statistical analysis
- Data modeling
- Public health research
- Emergency preparedness
- Infectious diseases
- Pharmaceutical measures
- Field experience, particularly in developing countries
- Statistical software such as R or XLStat
Language Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Expert knowledge of English
The following are considered advantages:
- Intermediate knowledge of French
- Knowledge of another United Nations official language
Required Skills
Successful applicants should demonstrate:
- Teamwork
- Effective written and verbal communication
- Respect for cultural diversity
- Ability to produce quality work
- Willingness to learn
- Collaboration skills
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Required Documents
Applicants selected by WHO may be required to submit:
- Proof of enrolment or proof of recent graduation
- WHO medical certificate of fitness for work
- Contact details for reference checks
- Additional documents requested during the recruitment process
How to Apply for the WHO Health Emergencies Internship 2026?
Applicants must submit their application through the official WHO online recruitment portal before the deadline.
Application Process
- Visit the official WHO careers website.
- Create or log in to your online account.
- Search for Internship – Health Emergencies (Job ID: 2602510).
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload the required documents.
- Review your application carefully.
- Submit your application before 1 August 2026.
WHO Health Emergencies Internship 2026 Deadline
The application deadline is 1 August 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date, as WHO internships are highly competitive and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
