Gain hands-on public health experience at the world’s leading health agency. The World Health Organization (WHO) is offering a Health Department Internship within its Health Promotion department, based at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The intern will support work on the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic (GTCR), a flagship report tracking tobacco control progress worldwide, ahead of its scheduled 2027 publication. The internship runs full-time from 1 February to 16 July 2027, and WHO provides eligible interns with a living allowance, medical and accident insurance, and lunch vouchers at some duty stations. There’s no application fee, and the deadline is 29 September 2026 — very close, so apply promptly if you’re interested.
WHO Health Department Internship 2027 Details:
- Host Country: Switzerland (Geneva)
- Host Organization: World Health Organization (WHO), Health Promotion department
- Duration: 1 February 2027 – 16 July 2027 (approximately 24 weeks)
- Financial Coverage: Funded (living allowance for eligible interns, plus insurance)
- Deadline: 29 September 2026
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Financial Benefits
According to WHO’s official Internship Programme page, benefits include:
- Medical and accident insurance for the full duration of the internship
- A living allowance for eligible selected interns who need financial support, assessed through a mandatory Declaration of Interests form
- Lunch vouchers, provided at some duty stations, including Geneva
WHO notes that insurance before the start date and after the end date, including travel to and from Geneva, is the intern’s own responsibility. WHO also flags that living costs in Geneva are high, so financial planning matters even with the living allowance.
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Eligibility Criteria
Based on WHO’s official eligibility requirements:
- Age: At least 20 years old on the date of application
- Education: Enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate qualification in a public health, medical, or social field related to WHO’s work, or in management, administration, communications, or external relations. Recent graduates may also apply, within 18 months of completing their qualification
- Prior Study: Completed at least three years of full-time university study before the internship starts
- Language: Fluent in at least one working language of the assigned office
- Family Relation: Not related to a current WHO staff member
- Nationality: Hold a valid passport from a WHO Member State
- Prior Participation: Not have previously completed a WHO internship
Also check this WCSJ Travel Fellowship 2027 in the UK for another funded opportunity for those working in health and science communication.
Required Documents
Based on WHO’s official application process, applicants should be ready to provide:
- Proof of current enrolment, or proof of completion of your most recent qualification
- A completed Declaration of Interests, disclosing any financial support such as grants, bursaries, or scholarships
- A WHO medical certificate of fitness for work, submitted before the internship starts (only once requested by WHO)
WHO explicitly asks candidates not to send documents until specifically requested.
How to Apply for the WHO Health Department Internship 2027?
Find the specific vacancy on WHO Careers. All WHO internships are posted individually, so search the WHO Careers site for the Health Promotion/GTCR internship listing.
Apply only through Stellis, WHO’s official online recruitment system — there’s no alternative way to apply for a WHO internship.
Confirm you meet every eligibility point before submitting, since WHO internships are highly competitive.
Wait for contact from WHO. Only successful candidates are contacted, so if you don’t hear back, you’re free to apply to other posted internships you’re eligible for.
Submit before 29 September 2026, since this deadline applies specifically to this Health Promotion internship vacancy.
Official Website
The Link to the Official Website is given below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
It’s an internship within WHO’s Health Promotion department at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, supporting the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, running from February to July 2027.
Yes. WHO provides medical and accident insurance to all interns, and a living allowance to eligible interns who demonstrate financial need.
Applicants at least 20 years old, enrolled in or recently graduated from a relevant university qualification, with at least three years of full-time study completed and fluency in a working language of the assigned office.
No, WHO doesn’t charge any application fee.
29 September 2026.
Only through Stellis, WHO’s official online recruitment system, by applying to the specific posted vacancy.
No, previous WHO interns aren’t eligible to apply again.