Intern - Research and Innovation -DSI/INR

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The INR team aims to leverage advances in technology and progress in social innovation to promote health equity in the Western Pacific Region (WPR). This goal is achieved by employing various methodologies to enhance the adoption of evidence-based solutions, using sandboxing and experimentation to discover new approaches for problem-solving, and facilitating regional networks to provide resources and expertise to Member States.

As the regional counterpart of Research for Health Department under the Science Division, INR is responsible for implementing a regional research programme. Projects include the convening of expert meetings on clinical trials and human genomics for public health, the mapping of health research landscape in the region, and providing support to Member States to develop a national research policy.

Therefore, the Innovation and research unit wishes to engage an eligible intern from a WHO Member State who is 20 years and older with the related academic background in innovation and research to provide technical input in this area of work. All applicants must be willing to work on-site at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Region in Manila, Philippines.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of Reference

Under the supervision of a technical officer, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:

• Conduct literature and surveys to inform reports, training material and other products in research and innovation.
• Conduct web research and data collection on subject areas related to clinical trial, health research, human genomics, technological innovation, Artificial Intelligence.
• Provide technical input for the development of policy briefs, toolkits, hand-outs, and reports.
• Assist in the organization and coordination of workshops, meetings, and events related to innovation and research.
• Provide technical input to on-going divisional projects.

Learning objectives

The purpose of the WHO Internship Programme is to provide an enriching learning experience for students and recent graduates specialising in innovation and research or a related field. The Learning Objectives outlined within each internship vacancy are a key component of the programme.

Within this internship, of the programme/area of work the intern will:

• Understand and communicate clearly about the research for health agenda as well as the relevant global/regional initiatives to accelerate health research and development;
• Understand and communicate clearly about the health innovation agenda as well as the principles and methodologies for WHO to support member states in innovation for health;
• Understand and communicate clearly about the vision, mission, objectives and mandate of the World Health Organization in general, and of the Western Pacific Region in particular;
• Learn how to prepare a comprehensive situation analysis of a Member State’s health research, including the challenges and opportunities in different areas of research; and
• Learn how to coordinate and organise meetings of a regional scope and across a team.

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

24 weeks – tentative start date, 16 September 2024

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

The candidate must have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in a public health, medical or social field related to the technical work of WHO, or in a management, administrative, communications, or external relations-related field prior to commencing the assignment.
Applicants who have already graduated may also qualify for consideration, if they apply to the internship within six months following the completion of the formal education.

Skills

Core competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication

The intern should be able to demonstrate the following skills in line with the WHO core competencies:

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Showing willingness to learn from mistakes
• Producing and delivering quality results
• Working collaboratively with team members

Experience

• Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
• Experience in the subject area through academic work or research
• Field and/or developing country experience.
• 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
• More specific experience such as specialized computer programmes

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of another UN language.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Interns do not receive a salary. They do however receive a living allowance. The amount of living allowance is different in each duty station. The amount also depends on any other external financial support received by the intern (grant, scholarships, etc). The exact amount of the living allowance will be calculated for each intern, after selection, based on a legal financial disclosure form that the individual will complete.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• WHO internships are on-site programs; the incumbent is expected to be located in Manila, Philippines for the whole duration of the programme.
• Living in Manilla 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.
• If selected for a WHO Internship, candidates will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrolment in an eligible course of studies, a completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work, and the contact details for reference checks.
• Interns are not eligible to take up a consultant or other non-staff contract in WHO for a period of three months following the end of the internship. However, no such restriction applies to temporary or longer-term staff positions if the vacancy has been advertised and a competitive process completed.
• WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Department of Staff Health and Wellbeing (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.