Internships - WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (Summer 2013)

Vacancy Notice No: /13/INT1

Title: Internships - WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (Summer 2013)

Contract type: Internship

Application Deadline: 30 April 2013

Duty Station:  Multiple duty stations

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The Western Pacific Region (WPRO), one of the six regions of the World Health Organization, is home to approximately 1.8 billion people, more than one-fourth of the world's population. It stretches over a vast area, from China in the north and west, to New Zealand in the south, and French Polynesia in the east. One of the most diverse of the WHO regions, the Western Pacific constitutes some of the world's least developed countries as well as the most rapidly emerging economies. It includes highly developed countries such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Singapore; and fast growing economies such as China and Viet Nam. The WHO Regional Office is committed to building future leaders in public health. A competent and dynamic health workforce is essential in advancing health and in achieving global health goals. Countries need to have a pool of health professionals who are trained and exposed to the systems and processes in the health sector and understand how stakeholders interplay within the arena of health. The Internship and Volunteer Programme in the Western Pacific Region provides opportunities for graduate and postgraduate students to gain an insight into the work of the Organization, while enriching their knowledge and experience in the field of health, thereby contributing to the advancement of population health. Objectives of the Internship Programme: a) To provide a framework for assigning students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes that can enhance their educational experience through practical assignments; b) To expose students to the work of WHO; c) To provide WHO programmes with input from students specializing in various fields. Internship positions are offered in the different units of the Regional office as well as in some of the WHO country offices. Competency Areas/Work Units: General Program Management and Administration: Administration and Finance External Cooperation and Partnerships Human Resource Management Informatics and Communications Technology Leadership and Governance Public Relations and Communications Donor and Partnership Engagement Health Security and Emergencies: Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response Emergency and Humanitarian Action Food Security and Safety Health Systems: Health Care Financing Health Information and Evidence for Policy Health Service Delivery Pharmaceutical and Health Technology Human Resources for Health Nursing and Midwifery Equity, Gender, Human Rights Communicable Diseases: Expanded Program on Immunization HIV AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Malaria, other Vector-borne and Parasitic Diseases TB and Leprosy Elimination Non-Communicable Diseases & Family/Community Health: Child and Adolescent Health Environmental Health Health Promotion Non-communicable diseases Mental Health Disability and Rehabilitation Reproductive Health Tobacco Free Initiative

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Minimum of three years university studies, ideally a first degree, in medical or social science or a field related to the work of WHO. The intern must be a student during the internship. Additionally there are limited possibilities for students from disciplines such as Information Technology, Media Relations, Human Resouces, Business Administration and/or Public Administration.

Experience: - Experience in research and in drafting reports would be preferred. - Experience in the subject area through academic work or research would be an advantage. - Field and/or developing country experience would be an advantage. - Experience with data analysis, statistical packages and interest in the design of graphical display and analysis of health information in an international comparative perspective, such as for health system performance assessment may be an advantage. - More specific experience such as specialized computer programmes may be needed for some internships.

Languages: Essential: Interns should have a very good working knowledge of English (reading, writing and speaking). Desirable: Knowledge of the language of the duty station where the internship is taking place.

Additional Information: Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only successful candidates will be contacted. - Interns must be minimum 20 years of age and be enrolled in a course of study leading to a formal qualification (graduate or post-graduate) to be eligible for the programme. - All internships at WHO are unpaid and full-time. - WHO accepts no responsibility for medical insurance of interns or costs arising from illness incurred during an internship. - Interns are NOT eligible for appointment to any position in WHO for a period of three months following the end of the internship. Notes: All applications for WHO Internships are acknowledged when received and are made available to technical units for review. The period of time for this review is indeterminate. If selected for a WHO Internship, you will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrolment in a course of studies and proof of personal medical insurance (illness) coverage. An important reminder: WHO Internships are not paid. Living abroad is expensive and finding accommodation can be challenging. All intern candidates should be aware of these factors before they consider applying for a WHO Internship. WHO does not provide financial support, interns are encouraged to seek funding from other external sources. Please note: WHO does not charge for internships.

INTERVIEWS MAY BE USED AS A FORM OF SCREENING

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.