The World Health Organization (WHO) is inviting eligible students and recent graduates to apply for its Health Emergency Response Financing Internship in Geneva, Switzerland. The full-time internship offers practical experience in financial tracking, data management and analysis supporting international health emergency preparedness and response.
The 24-week placement is scheduled to begin on 4 January 2027. Selected interns may receive a monthly living allowance of up to CHF 1,680, daily lunch vouchers worth CHF 20 per working day, and medical and accident insurance coverage. The exact allowance depends on individual circumstances and other financial support received.
Background & Job Description
WHO works with countries and partners to prepare for health emergencies, coordinate international responses and support affected populations. Its Health Emergencies Programme helps countries manage emergency risks and respond when national capacities are overwhelmed.
This internship is based within the Strategic Planning and Partnership team in WHO’s Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Programme. The team supports strategic planning, partnerships, performance monitoring and coordination of financing resources for health emergencies.
The intern will help organise and analyse financial information used to understand how resources are mobilised and tracked during health emergencies. The placement provides an opportunity to learn how data quality, financial reporting and strategic planning contribute to international emergency response.
Internship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Internship | Health Emergency Response Financing |
| Job reference | 2604626 |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Duration | 24 weeks |
| Start date | 4 January 2027 |
| Schedule | Full-time |
| Monthly living allowance | Up to CHF 1,680 for interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva |
| Lunch vouchers | CHF 20 per working day |
| Insurance | Medical and accident insurance coverage |
| Application deadline | 11 November 2026, 23:59, as displayed on the official vacancy |
| Official application | Apply through the WHO careers portal |
Tasks
The intern will work under the supervision of a technical expert and support activities related to health emergency response financing.
Responsibilities include:
- Mapping key organisations, stakeholders and financing mechanisms involved in health emergency response.
- Collecting, organising and updating data for financial tracking.
- Reviewing and reconciling reported financial information from different sources.
- Supporting data quality assurance and validation.
- Helping prepare dashboards, summaries and analytical products.
- Participating in relevant team and partner discussions.
- Maintaining accurate records and handling sensitive information responsibly.
- Completing other related tasks that support the internship’s learning objectives.
The placement is intended to develop practical skills in structured data management, validation, reconciliation and responsible reporting.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Applicants must have completed the equivalent of at least three years of full-time university studies in a relevant field before the internship begins.
Eligible study areas include:
- Public health.
- Health policy.
- Health financing.
- Health economics.
- Data science.
- Statistics.
- Data analytics.
- Information systems.
- Business analytics.
- Computer science or a closely related quantitative field.
Applicants must also be enrolled in a programme leading to a formal qualification. Candidates who have already graduated may still be considered if they apply within 18 months of completing their qualification.
WHO requires higher education qualifications to be from an institution recognised or accredited in the World Higher Education Database. Applicants should check their institution’s status before applying.
Experience
The vacancy emphasises practical data management skills and the ability to work accurately with structured information.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Practical knowledge of Excel, including formulas, lookups, data validation, conditional formatting and pivot tables.
- Experience entering, cleaning, validating, reconciling or analysing structured data.
- The ability to organise records and follow detailed instructions.
- Strong documentation practices, including source traceability and version control.
- The ability to identify and document discrepancies between different information sources.
- Teamwork, communication and willingness to learn from feedback.
- Responsible handling of sensitive information.
Experience maintaining dashboards, particularly with R Shiny, is desirable. Familiarity with R, SQL, Python, Power Query, Power BI, Tableau or similar tools is also beneficial.
Knowledge of international health financing, donor reporting, resource mobilisation, humanitarian financing or financing during outbreaks would be an advantage.
Language Requirements
Expert knowledge of English is essential. Intermediate knowledge of French or another United Nations language is desirable.
Additional Information
Living Allowance and Benefits
WHO does not pay interns a salary. Instead, eligible interns receive a living allowance whose amount depends on the duty station, their permanent residence and any other financial support they receive.
For Geneva, the maximum allowance stated in the vacancy is:
- CHF 1,680 per month for interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva.
- CHF 739 per month for interns whose permanent residence is in Geneva.
The final amount is calculated after selection using a financial disclosure form.
All interns in Geneva also receive lunch vouchers worth CHF 20 per working day and medical and accident insurance coverage. These benefits are subject to WHO’s applicable internship arrangements.
Internship Duration and Location
The internship is full-time and lasts 24 weeks, beginning on 4 January 2027. It is based at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Applicants should consider the cost of living and the challenge of finding accommodation in Geneva before applying.
Application Deadline
The official vacancy displays a closing date of 11 November 2026 at 23:59. Applicants should check the deadline and time zone shown on the live WHO recruitment page before submitting their applications.
WHO internships are highly competitive, and only a small number of applicants are selected. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
Documents Required After Selection
Candidates selected for the internship will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrolment in an eligible course, a completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work, and contact details for reference checks.
WHO may also conduct background verification of final candidates. Successful candidates must comply with applicable organisational requirements, including relevant vaccination and medical clearance conditions.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should visit the official WHO Health Emergency Response Financing Internship vacancy.
Review the eligibility criteria carefully, particularly the education requirements, Excel and data management skills, English proficiency and conditions for recent graduates. Complete the online application and provide the information requested in the WHO recruitment system.
Apply Now: Submit your application through WHO Careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the WHO Health Emergency Response Financing Internship open for 2027?
The vacancy advertises a placement starting on 4 January 2027. Applicants should check the official WHO careers page for the latest recruitment status.
How long does the internship last?
The internship lasts 24 weeks and is full-time.
How much is the monthly allowance?
WHO lists a maximum living allowance of CHF 1,680 per month for interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva and CHF 739 per month for those whose permanent residence is in Geneva. The actual amount depends on individual circumstances and other financial support.
Does WHO provide lunch vouchers?
Yes. Interns in Geneva receive lunch vouchers worth CHF 20 per working day.
Is medical insurance provided?
Yes. WHO states that interns in Geneva receive medical and accident insurance coverage.
What qualifications are required?
Applicants must have completed at least three years of full-time university studies in a relevant field and be enrolled in a formal qualification programme. Eligible recent graduates may also be considered if they apply within 18 months of graduation.
Which technical skills are important?
Practical Excel skills and experience managing, cleaning, validating and reconciling structured data are important. Experience with R, SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau or similar tools is desirable.
Is French required?
Expert knowledge of English is essential. Intermediate French or another UN language is desirable but not listed as essential.
Where is the internship based?
The internship is based at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Where can I apply?
Applications are submitted through the official WHO careers vacancy.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This WHO internship may suit students and eligible recent graduates interested in public health, health financing, data science and international emergency response. It offers practical experience with financial tracking, data quality, reporting and dashboards, alongside exposure to WHO’s work with countries and partners.
Applicants should assess the cost of living in Geneva, confirm that they meet the education requirements and understand that the allowance is not a salary. The maximum monthly amount is conditional, and the final allowance depends on the individual’s circumstances.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed shares employment, internship and education opportunities for informational purposes. We are not affiliated with the World Health Organization and do not recruit on its behalf. Applicants should confirm eligibility, benefits, deadlines and application instructions on the official WHO website before applying.
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