Vacancy WHO Brussels – Public Health Technical intern

Location: Brussels – WHO Representation to the EU

Duration: Minimum 3 months, and extendable to maximum of 6 months (24 weeks) after mutual agreement.

Title of the position: Technical intern – Public Health

Summary of the position:

The main objective of the internship is to provide a framework where the educational experience of the intern can be enhanced through practical work assignments. Consequently, the intern is expected to support the professional office team in systematically gathering information regarding the EU activities related to health. This will involve working on existing information tools, as well as developing new ones that would put in place a scheme of standardized information monitoring and updating. This implies identifying key actors at the EU institutions, key information sources, analyses of the information available and ability to summarize it in accordance to concrete needs of different target audiences. This will help stabilize and expand the information brokering and exchange function of the whole office.

Scope of activities:

The intern will help the Brussels office of WHO as follows:

– Develop briefings on topics chosen together with the team, i.e. relevant EU health theme that should be followed by WHO (including briefing notes, information summaries, minutes, reports, contacts of actors et al.);

– Prepare presentations and files on key EU-related issues (including, for instance, overviews of EU instruments, policies and programmes);

– Draft information products for the variety of information clients of the WHO office in Brussels – internal WHO stakeholders as well as the external EU target groups (on topics to be chosen together with the team; the topics can be such in which the intern has a special interest linked to previous experience, career or further academic development plans);

– Monitor the upcoming health and health-related agendas of the EU institutions; work in the team for following and taking part in the activities of the main EU-related, Brussels-based stakeholders in health – think tanks, NGOs, professionals associations, interest groups, news and media actors;

– Start, build and maintain a small database, according to the intern’s special interests: could be mainly for methodical search of the relevant topics of the moment through the most important opinion-making journals or a full database/inventory of the available (physically or electronically) publications and reference documents in the office;

– Follow up on actions and/or events of relevance (e.g. after certain policy dialogues or peak of action in a specific area, follow the development – who in the EU is doing what, how the topic evolves, also among the other civil society actors);

– Support the monitoring, analysis, and reporting to WHO colleagues of the EU- related policies, strategies, initiatives, programs and interventions in the field of health systems at global level and in Europe, development aid for health within the framework of aid effectiveness (in particular IHP+ and post Busan developments), as well on research and development in those areas.

What we offer

Interns are fully involved in all aspects of our work at the WHO representation to the EU. They are part of an international team that supports them in acquiring skills to work in an intergovernmental organization and hands-on knowledge of how major international actors and stakeholders inter-relate, at the European and global levels. Interns are given the opportunity to focus on research and analysis and writing up reports to support the communication activities of the office. They are also empowered with responsibilities to develop and manage portfolios of certain topics, which they keep updated on and follow closely.

Your profile

We are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic young graduate who, as part of the course they are following, would like to spend time with us in our Brussels office as part of a multinational team and who has:

– At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as medicine, public health, public affairs and international affairs, political science and preferably with an explicit interest and knowledge of the EU and its operational mechanisms;

– Currently enrolled as a (post-graduate) student in a course of study leading to a formal qualification in a field preferably related to health, or have finished such study less than 6 months before the appointment date. (necessity);

– Other advanced degree with a focus on European affairs (an asset);

– Knowledge of the EU stakeholders, as well EU policies, instruments, practices;

– An interest in issues related to health, consumer and social policies in Europe, humanitarian aid and or development cooperation (optional);

– An excellent command of English, as well as at least another official UN and/or EU language (necessity);

– The ability to write clearly and succinctly in English;

– A desire to work in a dynamic and international environment;

– Excellent working knowledge of basic MS Office applications and powerful skills in online research;

– Experience in an international relations environment (desirable).

Who are we?

WHO is the United Nations specialized agency for health. The Brussels office is its official representation to the EU, with a function of liaising with all relevant EU stakeholders and keeping WHO Headquarters and regional offices in the centre of the European health debate, with an equally high interest in the policies being developed and implemented in the health and non-health sectors.

Conditions

According to the rules and regulations of WHO, the internship is not remunerated. Applicants should be minimum 20 years of age. Undergraduates are not eligible to apply. The Intern will be based in the WHO office in Brussels, with their own workstation and all other office facilities. For the duration of the internship, they are part of the information network and IT system of WHO.

Desired starting date

At the moment we are looking specifically for a starting dates as from 1 September 2016. We usually plan the different assignments well ahead in time and try to cover a full calendar year in advance. Please make sure to indicate your availability.

How to apply

Please submit your motivation letter accompanied by an update of your CV to the HR Administrator of the WHO Brussels Office by 15 August 2016. Only candidates subsequently selected for an interview will be contacted and requested to complete further administrative forms.

Read more and apply here.