Internship - Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness - HQ/WHE/EPP/IEP

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions; fostering impactful innovation; and leveraging technical, operational and strategic partnerships. In addition, EPP develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental or deliberate origin.

The High Impact Events Preparedness (IEP) Unit provides leadership and coordination for cross-sector partnerships in the development of global preparedness mechanisms for epidemics and pandemics, thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread.

Given the increasing frequency and impact of pandemic and major epidemic-prone pathogens, there is an urgent need to better prepare for potential future pandemics and to bring coherence to the current medical countermeasures landscape, which is complex and fragmented across pathogens (COVID-19, Pandemic Influenza, Novel coronaviruses, Disease X and others) and tools (i.e. vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and others). The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body was established by the World Health Assembly in December 2021 in a special session to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement, or other international instrument under the Constitution of the World Health Assembly on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Solutions to enhance equitable access to pandemic countermeasures are being discussed and pursued in an increasing number of international fora. It is very important that these efforts are complementary and converge towards a common purpose.

The interim coordination mechanism aims to enhance collaboration for timely and equitable access to medical countermeasures (MCMs) against pandemic threats, and to tackle the next health emergencies in terms of robust, innovative capabilities delivered through flexible service models and sustainable financing, with a specific focus on three priority threats: Pandemic influenza, Novel coronaviruses, Disease X. It adopts a network-of-networks approach, especially in the event of a pandemic occurring before the WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (“WHO CA ”) deliberations conclude. The i-MCM-Net aims to underscore the need to address critical gaps requiring attention in the event of potential future pandemics.

WHO aims to operationalize the medical countermeasures network, to enhance global health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience. This includes developing a strategic framework for rapid development and equitable access to medical countermeasures across various health threats, establishing a comprehensive approach supported by a sound theory of change and logic framework, supporting stakeholder engagement and analysis, and formulating a business case and roadmap for the implementation, harnessing capabilities from a diverse ecosystem.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

Under the supervision of a technical expert in the respective area, the intern will support theMedical Countermeasures (MCM) project, which will include the following:

• Review literature and conduct literature surveys
• Undertake web research and data collection on specific subject area
• Organize data and documents
• Participate in the development of tools and guidelines
• Assist in drafting, formatting and editing policy briefs, tool kits, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures and reports
• Assist in organizing workshops, meetings, conferences, events
• Participate in on-going departmental projects

Learning objectives

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

Within this internship, the intern will:

• Understand the objectives of the programme/area of work
• Communicate clearly about the programme/area of work
• Understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices and country offices
• Know how to conduct and review literature surveys
• Know how to assemble data and prepare a comprehensive analysis
• Prepare background documents for meetings
• Develop the outline of a document

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

24 weeks - tentative start date 25 January 2025

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed at least three years of an undergraduate degree program of full-time studies in in the area of medicine, biology, bioinformatics, microbiology, virology, biochemistry, medical sciences, information sciences, statistics, public health or related field, at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the assignment; AND be enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (applicants who have already graduated may also qualify for consideration provided that they apply to the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).

Skills

Core competencies

• Team work
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication

All interns 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

In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software such as XLStat may be an advantage.

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:Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other 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.) and whether their permanent residence is in the duty station of the internship. In Geneva, for interns with permanent residence in the duty station, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is 720 CHF per month. For interns whose permanent residence is outside of the duty station, the maximum amount is 1620 CHF per month. 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. In addition, all interns in Geneva will receive a daily lumpsum amount for meal expenses (20 CHF per working day). WHO also provides all interns with accident and medical insurance coverage.

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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 theWHO Values Charterinto 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.