OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS) is addressing the burden of disease from physical, chemical and microbial hazards in food and unhealthy diets, maternal and child malnutrition, overweight and obesity. The Department aims to ensure universal access to safe, sufficient nutritious food and effective nutrition actions, through setting science-based international food standards, promoting nutrition action in health systems, fostering sustainable food production and consumption, improving food environments and empowering consumers in all situations, monitoring nutrition status, and managing food safety events at the international level, closely working with Member States, UN partner agencies and non-State actors.
The Food and Nutrition Actions in Health Systems (AHS) Unit assists countries with the application of essential nutrition actions delivered through healthcare and community platforms. AHS develops guidance on programmes and policies, creates application tools, provides technical assistance, fosters global partnerships, and supports global advocacy to ensure that proven nutrition interventions are universally accessible to all relevant populations. The Unit addresses multiple forms of malnutrition, including wasting, stunting, obesity, and micronutrient deficiency and supports improvements in infant and young child feeding.
Recognizing the importance of reducing the global burden of anaemia, the 65th World Health Assembly approved the reduction of anaemia in women of reproductive age as a global target, and the Sustainable Development Goals have included it is an indicator under Goal 2. The latest global estimates of anaemia indicate that the world is off track for achieving these targets. In response, WHO developed a Comprehensive framework for action to accelerate anaemia reduction and is hosting an Anaemia Action Alliance with partners to step up action.
The Comprehensive framework was developed by a multi-disciplinary group and includes key actions for addressing all causes of anaemia, such as those due to nutritional deficiencies, infectious diseases, gynecological and obstetric conditions, and inherited red blood cell disorders. The Anaemia Action Alliance is a platform bringing together relevant stakeholders with representation across disciplines, sectors, and geographies to achieve the collective vision of a world where all women, adolescent girls, and children are empowered and enabled to benefit from appropriate and timely actions for the prevention and management of anaemia.
The Alliance will drive this new approach through implementation of context-specific, multisectoral anaemia reduction plans, address data and evidence gaps, harness global guidance and country experiences, and drive collective cross-sector actions. The mission of the Alliance is to foster these accelerated and coordinated anaemia reduction efforts, including through adaptation and implementation of the WHO Comprehensive framework for action to accelerate anaemia reduction.
Together, the Alliance will harness experiences and expertise from current and past anaemia reduction initiatives and other multisectoral approaches, adapting and amplifying successes through collaborating partners, advocacy and communications, and technical support. This will magnify the recognition of anaemia as an indicator of health and development and why comprehensive, coordinated and context-specific analyses and action are critical for addressing all causes and risk factors of anaemia.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

Under the supervision of the Technical Officer, Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, representing an Interdepartmental working group on anaemia, the intern is assigned the agreed terms of reference:

• undertake web searches and data collection on anaemia
• participate in situational analysis and mapping of the prevalence of underlying drivers of anaemia and national polices and programmes
• organize data and documents related to anaemia
• assist in drafting, editing and formatting policy briefs and guides for anaemia reduction
• assist in organizing workshops and meetings
• 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 Interdepartmental working group on anaemia and the Anaemia Action Alliance
• Communicate clearly about the strategies for accelerating anaemia reduction
• Understand the difference of work between headquarters, regional offices and country offices
• Know how to conduct and review literature searches, including search for key terms and data extraction procedures
• Understand the importance and the process of conducting a situational analysis
• Prepare background material for meetings, webinars and/or events
• Use information from different relevant areas of work to support the development of a documents on the diagnosis, prevention and management of anaemia

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

12 weeks – tentative start date 12 August 2024 with potential to extend for a maximum of 24 weeks

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in Public Health/health related subject 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 area of anaemia or one of its underlying causes or risk factors, through academic work or research
• Field and/or developing country experience
• Experience with communications and advocacy is desirable

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 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 1680 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.
• 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 (https://www.who.int/about/values) 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 toreasonableaccommodation@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 Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (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.