Internship - Polio Eradication, Containment Team, DGO/POL

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) aims to protect future generations of children from the threat of polio paralysis. The primary means of achieving this goal is to halt poliovirus transmission in countries where the disease is still endemic and to ensure a rapid and effective response to poliovirus outbreaks in polio-free countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference
Containment of poliovirus per the 2018 WHO resolution, requires that countries establish a National Authority for Containment (NAC) to certify that the facilities holding poliovirus implement global standards for containment. The World Health Organization establishes the standards by which these facilities should adhere. The Containment Team (CNT) at WHO HQ provide the Secretariate support to the Containment Working Group (CWG) that reviews the applications for certification review submitted by the NACs and coordinates these data in a SharePoint. Under the supervision of a technical officer in the polio eradication programme, containment of poliovirus team, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference, including support of the development of the USAID report of polio eradication activities, as follows:

1. Assist with work on the CNT Share Point, containment generic mailbox
2. Organize data and documents
3. Assist in drafting, formatting, and editing reports
4. 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 global health and polio eradication programme with a focus on poliovirus containment
- Communicate clearly about the global health and polio eradication programme
- 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 and records/minutes for meetings
- Develop the outline of a document/report

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

From March to August 2024. Tentative start date - 18 March 2024.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the assignment; AND be enrolled in a course of study related to public health 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
- Teamwork
- 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 laboratory sciences and standards
- Experience in microbiology
- Experience in science communications
- Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
- Experience in the subject area through academic work or research
- 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
- Field and/or developing country experience is an asset

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Interns do not receive a salary. They do however receive a living allowance. The allowance depends on the duty station and other external support (grant, scholarships, etc.) received by the intern. In Geneva, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is CHF 1620 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 lumpsum of CHF 20 for each working day to buy lunch at WHO campus or elsewhere. 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.
- 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 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.