The World Health Organization (WHO) is accepting applications for a six-month research-focused internship in Geneva, Switzerland, supporting work on the 2027 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic.

The internship is based within the Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention and is scheduled to run from:

February 1, 2027 to July 16, 2027.

Applications close on:

September 28, 2026.

The internship is full-time and offers selected interns the opportunity to contribute to:

Research
Data validation
Web research
Data collection
Document review
Global health analysis
Report preparation
Launch activities

Detail	Information
Organization	World Health Organization
Position	Internship – Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention
Job Number	2603774
Location	Geneva, Switzerland
Internship Period	February 1 – July 16, 2027
Duration	Approximately 6 months
Schedule	Full-time
Department	Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention
Main Project	WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2027
Research	Yes
Data Validation	Yes
Web Research	Yes
Data Collection	Yes
Living Allowance	Up to CHF 1,680/month for eligible interns residing outside Geneva
Geneva Residents	Up to CHF 739/month
Lunch Vouchers	CHF 20 per working day
Medical Insurance	Provided
Accident Insurance	Provided
Application Deadline	September 28, 2026

What Is the WHO Research Internship 2027?

This WHO internship is linked to the preparation of the next edition of the:

WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic — GTCR.

The report is published every two years and has tracked global tobacco-control progress across WHO Member States for approximately 18 years.

The next report will be the:

11th edition

and is scheduled for publication in 2027. WHO identifies it as one of its flagship publications and notes that it is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Opportunities Feed Insight

This is stronger than a general administrative internship because participants will contribute directly to a major global health publication.

The work combines:

public health research + data validation + evidence gathering + report production.

What Will the WHO Research Intern Do?

Under the supervision of a technical expert, the intern will support several research and analytical activities.

Responsibilities include:

Proofreading drafts
Cross-checking revisions
Independently validating data used in analyses
Conducting web research
Collecting data on specific subject areas
Organizing data and documents
Validating documents
Helping organize the launch of the report
Participating in other departmental projects

Data Validation Responsibilities

One of the most important responsibilities is conducting:

independent data validation

on analyses included in the report.

Opportunities Feed Insight

This makes the internship particularly relevant to candidates with backgrounds in:

Data Science
Public Health
Epidemiology
Statistics
Health Research

because data quality is central to the position.

Web Research and Data Collection

The intern will also undertake:

Web research
Data collection
Evidence organization
Document validation

on defined subject areas.

This may provide valuable experience in how WHO gathers and verifies information used in global health reporting.

What Will Interns Learn?

WHO lists several learning objectives.

Interns will gain exposure to:

Global tobacco-control policies
Monitoring health-policy progress
Global health reporting
Data assembly and analysis
Stakeholder communication
WHO headquarters operations
Regional and country office relationships

Tobacco Control Research

The internship is closely linked to monitoring implementation of tobacco-control policies worldwide.

This gives interns the opportunity to better understand:

Public health policy
Health regulation
International monitoring systems
Global tobacco-control trends
Evidence-based health policy

Opportunities Feed Insight

For candidates planning careers in global health policy or research, this kind of exposure can be highly relevant because it combines technical analysis with international policy monitoring.

Where Is the Internship Located?

The internship is based in:

Geneva, Switzerland.

It is attached to WHO headquarters.

Is the Internship Remote?

The official vacancy lists:

Geneva, Switzerland

as the primary location and identifies the schedule as:

full-time.

The vacancy does not establish a fully remote arrangement.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Do not advertise this as:

“WHO Remote Internship 2027.”

How Long Is the WHO Research Internship?

The internship runs from:

February 1, 2027 to July 16, 2027.

This is approximately six months.

WHO generally states that internships can last from:

6 weeks to 24 weeks

depending on the needs of the technical unit.

Is the WHO Internship Paid?

WHO interns do not receive a formal salary.

However, eligible interns may receive a:

living allowance.

Opportunities Feed Clarification

It is more accurate to say:

“WHO provides eligible interns with a living allowance”

rather than calling it a regular salary.

How Much Is the WHO Internship Living Allowance?

For this Geneva internship, the maximum monthly allowance is:

CHF 1,680 per month

for eligible interns whose permanent residence is outside the Geneva duty station.

For interns whose permanent residence is within the duty station, the maximum is:

CHF 739 per month.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Do not claim that every intern automatically receives CHF 1,680.

The final amount depends on:

Permanent residence
Other external financial support
Grants
Scholarships
Financial disclosure

WHO calculates the exact amount after selection.

Are Lunch Vouchers Included?

Yes.

Geneva-based WHO interns receive:

CHF 20 in lunch vouchers per working day.

Does WHO Provide Medical Insurance?

Yes.

WHO provides interns with:

Medical insurance
Accident insurance

during the internship period.

Opportunities Feed Clarification

Insurance before the internship begins and after it ends, including travel to and from the duty station, is normally the intern’s responsibility.

Does WHO Pay Travel Costs?

WHO’s general internship FAQ says approved travel costs for some interns from least developed and middle-income countries may be covered.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Travel support is not guaranteed for every intern.

Do not advertise:

“WHO provides free flights to all interns.”

Who Can Apply?

For this specific internship, candidates must have completed the equivalent of at least:

three years of full-time university study

in a:

health or data-science related subject

before starting the internship.

Candidates must also either:

Be currently enrolled in a formal university programme

Have already graduated and apply within 18 months of completing their qualification

Can Data Science Students Apply?

Yes.

The official vacancy specifically identifies:

data-science related study

as relevant.

Opportunities Feed Insight

This is an especially attractive WHO internship for candidates whose background sits between:

data analytics + public health + research.

Can Public Health Students Apply?

Yes.

Health-related fields are eligible.

This may include candidates studying areas such as:

Public Health
Epidemiology
Global Health
Health Sciences

where they meet the specific education conditions.

Can Recent Graduates Apply?

Yes.

WHO’s general eligibility rules allow applicants who have already graduated to be considered if they apply within:

18 months after completing their formal qualification.

What Is the Minimum Age?

WHO’s general Internship Programme requires applicants to be at least:

20 years old

on the date of application.

Do Applicants Need Three Years of University Study?

Yes.

WHO requires candidates to have completed at least:

three years of full-time university-level studies

before beginning the internship.

What Languages Are Required?

WHO’s general internship rules require fluency in at least one working language of the office of assignment.

The specific vacancy also identifies knowledge of an additional UN language as desirable.

Opportunities Feed Advice

Candidates should accurately state their:

English level
French level
Other UN language skills

where applicable.

Can Applicants From Any Country Apply?

WHO’s Global Internship Programme invites candidates from around the world.

Applicants must hold a valid passport from a:

WHO Member State.

Opportunities Feed Clarification

Global eligibility does not remove other requirements such as:

Education
Age
Language ability
Internship history
University-recognition requirements

Can Someone Who Has Already Completed a WHO Internship Apply Again?

No.

WHO states that applicants must:

not have previously participated in WHO’s Internship Programme.

Can Someone Related to a WHO Staff Member Apply?

WHO states that applicants must not be related to a WHO staff member in specified close family relationships such as:

Parent
Child
Brother
Sister

What Skills Could Strengthen an Application?

Based on the actual duties, useful skills may include:

Research
Data validation
Data analysis
Literature review
Web research
Writing
Proofreading
Data organization
Attention to detail
Communication

Data Analysis Skills

Because the intern will independently validate analyses used in a global report, candidates should highlight experience with:

Data cleaning
Data validation
Quality checks
Statistical analysis
Data interpretation

where applicable.

Opportunities Feed Insight

Do not simply write:

“Good at data analysis.”

A stronger application explains what you actually did.

For example:

“Cleaned and validated survey datasets and conducted consistency checks before statistical analysis.”

Research Experience

Relevant experience might include:

University research projects
Dissertation work
Literature reviews
Policy research
Public health research
Data collection
Research assistant roles

Is Previous Professional Experience Required?

The vacancy does not establish a universal multi-year professional experience requirement.

This remains an internship aimed at students and recent graduates.

Opportunities Feed Insight

Strong academic research projects can therefore be useful even for candidates without extensive employment experience.

WHO Core Competencies

The specific internship highlights competencies including:

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication

Why Communication Matters

The intern will need to communicate with different stakeholders while contributing to production of a major global report.

This means candidates should demonstrate the ability to:

Write clearly
Present evidence accurately
Communicate professionally
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams

Can the Internship Lead to a WHO Job?

Not automatically.

WHO clearly states that interns:

do not have WHO staff status.

Former interns are free to apply for externally advertised WHO vacancies for which they qualify, but employment is subject to the organization’s normal recruitment and selection procedures.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Do not advertise the internship as:

“Guaranteed pathway to a WHO job.”

How Competitive Is the WHO Internship Programme?

WHO explicitly says internships are:

very competitive

and only a small number of applicants are selected each year.

Only successful candidates are contacted.

How to Strengthen Your Application

For this internship, candidates should emphasize three areas:

research + data + public health interest.

A strong application might highlight:

Health-related research
Data-science coursework
Statistical projects
Survey analysis
Public health policy projects
Research papers
Data cleaning
Evidence synthesis

Highlight Research Outputs

If applicable, include:

Dissertation
Thesis
Research reports
Academic publications
Conference presentations
Policy briefs
Data projects

Highlight Data Validation Experience

Because independent validation is directly listed among the responsibilities, examples of quality-assurance work can be particularly useful.

Candidates might demonstrate experience with:

Missing-value checks
Outlier analysis
Cross-checking datasets
Consistency testing
Reconciliation
Reproducibility checks

where accurate.

Understand the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic

Applicants should familiarize themselves with:

global tobacco-control policy monitoring

before applying.

The internship directly supports the 2027 report, so showing genuine understanding of the programme may strengthen the motivation section.

Documents You May Need

Before an internship offer is finalized, WHO may ask for:

Proof of university enrolment
Proof of completed qualification
Declaration of Interests
Medical certificate of fitness
Other requested documentation

WHO advises candidates not to send documents until specifically requested.

Education Recognition

WHO only recognizes higher education qualifications from institutions accredited or recognized through the:

World Higher Education Database — WHED.

Opportunities Feed Advice

Applicants should ensure their institution meets WHO recognition requirements.

Application Deadline

Applications close on:

September 28, 2026.

Opportunities Feed Advice

Candidates should apply early rather than waiting until the final day.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official:

WHO Careers / Stellis recruitment system.

WHO explicitly states that internship applications cannot be submitted outside Stellis.

Applicants should search for:

Internship – Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention

Job number:

2603774

and complete the application online.

Recruitment Scam Warning

WHO states that it never charges money during recruitment.

Candidates should not pay anyone claiming to:

Process a WHO internship
Guarantee selection
Reserve an internship place
Arrange an interview

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

Calling the living allowance a guaranteed salary
Claiming every intern receives CHF 1,680
Missing the September 28 deadline
Applying without completing three years of university study
Applying more than 18 months after graduation
Ignoring language requirements
Claiming the internship is remote
Assuming it guarantees employment
Applying outside WHO Stellis
Failing to demonstrate research or data skills
Ignoring the tobacco-control focus
Paying recruitment fees

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WHO Research Internship 2027?

It is a six-month internship within WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention supporting research and data work for the 2027 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic.

Where is the internship located?

Geneva, Switzerland.

What is the job number?

2603774.

When does the internship start?

February 1, 2027.

When does it end?

July 16, 2027.

Is it full-time?

Yes.

What is the application deadline?

September 28, 2026.

Is the internship paid?

WHO interns do not receive a salary, but eligible interns can receive a living allowance.

How much is the Geneva living allowance?

Up to:

CHF 1,680 per month

for eligible interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva.

Eligible interns resident at the duty station may receive up to:

CHF 739 per month.

Are meals supported?

Yes. Geneva interns receive CHF 20 lunch vouchers per working day.

Does WHO provide insurance?

Yes. Medical and accident insurance is provided during the internship.

Can international students apply?

Yes. WHO invites applications globally, subject to eligibility requirements.

Can recent graduates apply?

Yes, if they apply within 18 months of completing their qualification.

Can data-science students apply?

Yes. Health or data-science related fields are specifically relevant to this vacancy.

How much university study is required?

At least three years of full-time university study must be completed before beginning the internship.

Can someone younger than 20 apply?

No. WHO’s general eligibility rules require candidates to be at least 20 when applying.

What kind of research will the intern do?

Responsibilities include web research, data collection, data validation, document review and support for preparation of the 2027 global tobacco report.

Does the internship guarantee a WHO job?

No.

Where do candidates apply?

Through the official WHO Stellis recruitment system.

Opportunities Feed Verdict

The WHO Research Internship 2027 in Geneva is a particularly strong opportunity for students and recent graduates interested in:

public health + data science + research + health policy + global health.

The internship supports the preparation of the:

2027 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic

and runs from:

February 1 to July 16, 2027.

Interns may contribute to:

research + data collection + independent data validation + document review + report preparation + launch activities.

Financially, WHO does not classify the support as a salary. Eligible Geneva interns may instead receive up to:

CHF 1,680 per month

if their permanent residence is outside the duty station, or up to:

CHF 739 per month

if permanently resident in Geneva. Interns also receive CHF 20 daily lunch vouchers and medical and accident insurance.

The strongest candidates will have completed at least three years of university study in a:

health or data-science related field

and will demonstrate strong:

research + analytical + data-validation + communication skills.

Applications close:

September 28, 2026.

The strongest application strategy is:

study the 2027 tobacco-control report context → tailor your application around research and data validation → highlight health or data-science projects → demonstrate evidence-gathering and analytical skills → verify WHO eligibility requirements → apply through Stellis before September 28.

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