Intern – Healthier Populations Division/Health Promotion Department

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Physical Activity Unit within the new Department of Health Promotion is set up to strengthen global efforts in promotion of physical activity and contribute to the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as well as other areas of health and well-being such as sustainable transport and healthy cities. The work of the unit is guided by, and focuses on, supporting countries to implement the recommendations of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030.

The intern will work under the guidance of the Team Lead, and under the direct supervision of a WHO Technical Officer.The intern will support the work related to the development of regulatory responses and policy to support implementation of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

Under the direct supervision, the intern will support the delivery of activities related to the area of work as follows\:

• Undertake research and support the preparation of case studies concerning the use of law and regulation to promote physical activity (for example walking, cycling, play, and sport), in order to support the development of global guidance toolkits and country training programmes on how law may be used to increase levels of physical activity and contribute to a reduction in non-communicable diseases, and to sustainable transport;

• Support the organization of workshops, meetings, and training courses;

• Support additional work areas and participate in ongoing departmental projects, as agreed between the supervisor and the intern.

Learning objectives

• To understand the objectives of the programme/area of work;

• To understand how law has been used to promote physical activity in different jurisdictions;

• To learn how to conduct and review literature (scientific and legal);

• To learn how to prepare materials for technical meetings and training courses.

INTERNSHIP PERIOD\:

The internship duration is 12 weeks and will take place any time between 06 Jan – 30 June 2020 (exact dates to be determined between the technical unit and the selected intern).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed three years of full-time studies (bachelor's level or equivalent) 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 the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).

Skills
Core competencies

• Team work
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference
• 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 public health/law through academic work or research

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 stipend. The stipend depends on the duty station and other external support (grant, scholarships, etc.) received by the intern. In Geneva, the maximum amount of the stipend provided by WHO is 1728 USD per month. The exact amount of the stipend will be calculated for each intern, after selection, based on a financial disclosure form that they will complete. In addition, all interns in Geneva will receive a daily lunch voucher of a value of CHF15 to be used on WHO campus during the working days. WHO is also providing all interns with an 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 successful candidates 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 a course of studies and a medical certificate of fitness for work.
• Interns are not eligible for appointment to consultant positions 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.