The World Health Organization (WHO) is inviting eligible postgraduate students and recent graduates to apply for the WHO Internship – Ethics Team in Foresight, Leadership & Ethics in Science 2027 in Geneva, Switzerland. This 24-week internship offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in global health ethics, public health policy, emerging technologies, research ethics, and the development of international health guidelines.
The internship is designed for individuals interested in understanding how ethical principles influence global health policies, scientific innovation, public health surveillance, climate change responses, and emergency preparedness. Selected interns will work under the supervision of a Senior Ethics Specialist and collaborate with the WHO Ethics team on technical research, evidence reviews, policy development, consultations, and international meetings.
The internship is scheduled to run from 1 February to 16 July 2027. Although the position is unpaid, WHO provides a monthly living allowance based on eligibility and financial circumstances, daily lunch vouchers, and accident and medical insurance coverage.
Applications are open until the deadline specified in the official vacancy announcement. Candidates interested in bioethics, public health, medicine, philosophy, law, and related disciplines should review the eligibility requirements and prepare their applications before the closing date.
Overview of the WHO Ethics Internship 2027
The WHO Ethics Internship is an opportunity to contribute to international work addressing ethical challenges in public health and scientific development. Interns will support the organization’s efforts to develop ethical standards, strengthen national health ethics capacities, and help countries address complex ethical questions in health policies and programmes.
The position is based at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, within the Science for Health division. It is a full-time internship lasting 24 weeks, providing participants with exposure to international health governance and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Key details of the opportunity are provided below.
- Host organization: World Health Organization (WHO)
- Internship title: Internship – Ethics Team in Foresight, Leadership & Ethics in Science
- Vacancy reference: 2604183
- Opportunity location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Organizational unit: HQ/SFH Science for Health
- Internship duration: 24 weeks
- Start date: 1 February 2027
- End date: 16 July 2027
- Work schedule: Full-time
- Monthly living allowance: Up to CHF 739 for interns whose permanent residence is in Geneva and up to CHF 1,680 for interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva, subject to WHO’s financial assessment
- Additional support: Daily lunch vouchers worth CHF 20 per working day and accident and medical insurance
- Educational requirement: Enrolment in a postgraduate qualification, or application within 18 months of completing an eligible qualification, in a relevant discipline
- Essential language: Expert knowledge of English
- Desirable languages: Intermediate French or another UN language
- Application deadline: 24 October 2026, according to the vacancy information provided
Applicants should verify the deadline displayed in the official WHO recruitment portal because the vacancy notice states that the closing date may reflect the personal device’s system settings.
About the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Its work includes supporting countries in strengthening health systems, developing health standards, responding to public health emergencies, and addressing health challenges that require international cooperation.
Ethical considerations are essential to these responsibilities. Public health programmes, medical research, technological innovation, and emergency responses frequently involve difficult decisions concerning individual rights, public interests, fairness, safety, and the allocation of limited resources.
WHO’s Ethics team works to ensure that these decisions are informed by sound ethical principles and internationally relevant guidance. Through research, consultation, and collaboration with Member States and external partners, the team contributes to the development of global approaches to health ethics.
The internship offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to observe and contribute to this work while developing practical skills in research, policy analysis, technical writing, and international project management.
Objectives of the WHO Ethics Internship Programme
The Ethics team within WHO’s science division serves as a focal point for examining ethical issues arising from the organization’s activities. It also develops global norms in health ethics and supports Member States in building their capacity to identify and address ethical challenges in public health policies and programmes.
The team’s work covers a broad range of issues, including public health surveillance, genomic developments, research involving human participants, and equitable access to health services.
The internship will contribute to these objectives by supporting technical projects and research activities related to emerging ethical questions in global health.
1. Strengthening global health ethics
One of the team’s central objectives is to develop and promote ethical approaches that can guide public health programmes and policies across different countries and health systems.
Interns may contribute to research and technical outputs that help clarify ethical questions, evaluate evidence, and inform the development of international guidance.
2. Addressing ethical challenges in emerging technologies
Scientific and technological developments can create new opportunities for improving public health, but they can also raise concerns about privacy, fairness, accountability, safety, and governance.
The Ethics team works on questions surrounding the responsible use and governance of emerging technologies in public health. Interns will have an opportunity to support related research and technical initiatives.
3. Promoting fairness in public health
Ethical public health decision-making requires consideration of health inequalities, equitable access to services, and the fair distribution of limited resources.
The internship provides exposure to the ethical dimensions of decisions that affect individuals, communities, and national health systems.
4. Supporting ethical preparedness and emergency response
Public health emergencies can require difficult decisions about surveillance, resource allocation, research, and the protection of individual rights.
The Ethics team contributes to work examining these issues and supporting approaches that incorporate ethical considerations into emergency preparedness and response.
5. Supporting Member States
WHO works with its Member States, experts, regional and country offices, and external partners to develop and implement health guidance.
Through this internship, participants can learn how international organizations coordinate technical expertise and engage stakeholders to address complex health ethics questions.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Selected Intern
The selected intern will work under the supervision of a Senior Ethics Specialist. Responsibilities will be assigned according to agreed terms of reference and the needs of the Ethics team.
The role combines research, technical writing, literature analysis, project support, meeting coordination, and international outreach.
1. Participate in ethics projects and technical meetings
The intern will participate in ongoing ethics projects and meetings, as well as relevant projects and meetings organized by the Foresight, Leadership & Ethics in Science unit and the Science for Health department.
This responsibility will provide insight into how WHO organizes its technical work, coordinates multidisciplinary teams, and develops responses to emerging ethical challenges.
The intern may also learn how technical discussions are translated into research activities, recommendations, and policy-related outputs.
2. Prepare technical documents and research outputs
Working closely with the Ethics team, the intern will support the preparation of technical materials on a diverse range of ethical issues.
Expected outputs may include:
- Technical briefs addressing specific public health ethics questions.
- Evidence summaries presenting findings from relevant research.
- Meeting notes documenting discussions and decisions.
- Draft reports supporting ongoing projects and technical initiatives.
- Presentations for internal meetings, expert consultations, and other activities.
- Research materials that contribute to the development of normative guidance on public health and research ethics.
These tasks require strong analytical skills, careful attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly.
Applicants with experience in academic writing, literature reviews, research synthesis, policy analysis, or scientific communication may find these responsibilities particularly relevant.
3. Review and synthesize academic and grey literature
The intern will review and synthesize academic publications and grey literature relevant to the Ethics team’s objectives.
Academic literature may include peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly studies, and other formal research publications. Grey literature may include policy documents, institutional reports, technical guidance, working papers, and publications produced outside traditional academic publishing channels.
The purpose of this work is to identify relevant evidence, summarize findings, and support the team’s research and policy development activities.
Depending on the assigned topic, this work may involve comparing different perspectives, identifying evidence gaps, assessing the implications of research findings, and organizing information into clear technical summaries.
4. Support the development of the TArGET tool
An important responsibility will be supporting the development, piloting, and implementation of TArGET: the WHO-OECD Tool for the Anticipatory Governance of Emerging Technologies in Public Health.
Anticipatory governance involves identifying and considering the possible implications of emerging technologies before their effects become widespread. It can help policymakers and institutions assess potential benefits, risks, and ethical challenges associated with technological developments.
The intern will support activities related to the tool’s development and implementation as assigned by the team.
This responsibility provides an opportunity to explore the relationship between technological innovation, public health decision-making, and ethical governance.
5. Contribute to work on public health surveillance and emergencies
The intern will support the development of a programme of work with the health emergencies team to implement findings from a review of ethical issues related to advances in public health surveillance.
Public health surveillance can help identify health threats, monitor disease patterns, and inform interventions. However, advances in surveillance methods can also raise important questions concerning privacy, proportionality, data use, individual rights, and public accountability.
The intern’s contribution will support efforts to translate research findings into practical work addressing these ethical considerations.
This aspect of the internship is particularly relevant to candidates interested in public health ethics, health data governance, emergency preparedness, and the responsible use of new technologies.
6. Organize consultations, workshops, and expert meetings
The intern will help organize and document consultations, workshops, and expert meetings.
Tasks may include preparing agendas, drafting background notes, developing presentations, maintaining participant lists, summarizing discussions, and documenting follow-up actions.
These responsibilities will provide practical experience in the administrative and technical coordination required for international health projects.
Participants will also gain insight into how expert opinions are gathered, documented, and used to support policy development and international guidance.
7. Support international outreach activities
The intern will contribute to the Ethics team’s major outreach activities, including:
- The Global Summit of National Ethics Committees and regional meetings.
- The Global Forum on Bioethics in Research.
- The Ethics2Policy Platform.
These activities bring together relevant stakeholders and contribute to international discussions on ethical questions in health and research.
Supporting these initiatives can help the intern understand how WHO communicates technical work, facilitates professional collaboration, and promotes the use of ethics in policy and decision-making.
Learning Objectives and Professional Development
The WHO Internship Programme is intended to provide students and recent graduates with a structured and enriching learning experience. The learning objectives for this vacancy focus on international health ethics, technical research, policy development, and professional collaboration.
By the end of the internship, the selected participant is expected to develop a better understanding of the following areas.
Understanding WHO’s work in health ethics
The intern will learn about WHO’s objectives in ethics, particularly in relation to the governance of emerging technologies, climate change and health action, emergency preparedness and response, and the integration of ethics into global health policy.
This knowledge can help participants understand how ethical principles influence decisions made by international health organizations.
Learning how international health guidance is developed
The internship will provide exposure to the processes through which WHO engages experts, Member States, regional and country offices, and external partners in developing and implementing ethics-related guidance.
The intern will also gain knowledge of the process of developing international guidelines at WHO, including the role of evidence, consultation, and technical collaboration.
Contributing to research on global health challenges
Participants will have an opportunity to contribute to research addressing pressing ethical questions in global health.
This experience may be particularly useful for postgraduate students planning careers in research, academia, public health policy, bioethics, or international health organizations.
Developing multidisciplinary collaboration skills
The internship takes place in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
Working with professionals from different backgrounds can help the intern develop communication skills, collaborate effectively, consider diverse perspectives, and contribute to shared objectives.
Gaining project management experience
The intern will gain practical experience supporting complex projects in global health ethics.
This may include coordinating meetings, preparing technical materials, managing research tasks, documenting project activities, and supporting follow-up actions.
Together, these learning objectives are intended to help the intern connect academic knowledge with practical work in international public health.
WHO Ethics Internship 2027 Duration and Work Location
The internship will take place at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The scheduled dates are:
- Starting date: 1 February 2027.
- Ending date: 16 July 2027.
- Total duration: 24 weeks.
- Work arrangement: Full-time.
Candidates should be prepared to commit to the full internship period and consider the practical implications of living and working in Geneva.
WHO specifically advises prospective interns to consider the high cost of living abroad and the potential difficulty of finding accommodation before applying.
Applicants should therefore evaluate their accommodation options, travel arrangements, personal finances, and any applicable immigration or entry requirements before making a commitment.
Financial Support and Benefits
Although the WHO Ethics Internship is unpaid, the organization provides a living allowance and additional support to eligible interns.
The exact financial support depends on the duty station and the intern’s individual circumstances, including permanent residence and other external financial assistance.
Monthly living allowance
For interns based in Geneva, the maximum living allowance specified in the vacancy announcement is:
- Up to CHF 739 per month for interns whose permanent residence is in Geneva.
- Up to CHF 1,680 per month for interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva.
These are maximum amounts, not guaranteed payments for every applicant.
WHO calculates the exact allowance for each selected intern after selection. The intern must complete a financial disclosure form, which is used to determine the applicable amount in light of the organization’s rules and the individual’s financial circumstances.
Candidates should not assume that the maximum allowance will cover all their living expenses in Switzerland.
Daily lunch vouchers
All interns in Geneva will receive daily lunch vouchers worth CHF 20 per working day to help cover meal expenses.
This benefit provides additional assistance during the internship, although it does not replace the need to budget for accommodation, transportation, and other living costs.
Accident and medical insurance
WHO also provides accident and medical insurance coverage to all interns under the arrangements described in the vacancy announcement.
Candidates should review the applicable coverage details and any relevant conditions before beginning the internship.
Professional and academic benefits
In addition to financial support, the internship offers several potential professional benefits:
- Experience working with a United Nations specialized agency.
- Exposure to international public health policy and ethical governance.
- Practical experience in technical research and evidence synthesis.
- Opportunities to contribute to research and policy-related outputs.
- Experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
- Exposure to international expert meetings, consultations, and outreach initiatives.
- A better understanding of how global health guidelines are developed.
- Opportunities to strengthen research, communication, coordination, and project management skills.
These experiences may support future academic and professional development. However, the internship does not guarantee subsequent employment with WHO or any other organization.
Eligibility Criteria for the WHO Ethics Internship 2027
Applicants should review the educational, skills, experience, and language requirements carefully before submitting an application.
Educational qualifications
Candidates are expected to be enrolled in a postgraduate qualification or to apply within 18 months of completing their qualification.
Relevant fields of study include:
- Bioethics.
- Public health.
- Medicine.
- Philosophy.
- Law.
- Related disciplines relevant to health ethics and the responsibilities of the Ethics team.
Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their academic background and the subject matter of the internship.
For example, a postgraduate student studying public health may be interested in ethical decision-making in surveillance or emergency response. A law student may be interested in the governance of emerging technologies, while a philosophy or bioethics student may have a background in ethical analysis and research.
Candidates from related disciplines should explain how their knowledge and interests align with the team’s work.
WHO also requires higher educational qualifications to be obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The vacancy announcement notes that some professional certificates may not appear in WHED and may require individual review.
Applicants can consult the World Higher Education Database at: http://www.whed.net
Official application portal: https://careers.who.int/careersection/intern/jobdetail.ftl?job=2604183&tz=GMT%2B02%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FParis
Skills and core competencies
Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a professional environment and contribute to the team’s research and technical activities.
The core competencies identified in the vacancy include teamwork, respect for and promotion of individual and cultural differences, and communication.
In addition, applicants should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
Effective written and oral communication: The intern must be able to communicate research findings, prepare technical documents, summarize discussions, and present information clearly.
Willingness to learn from mistakes: Candidates should demonstrate openness to feedback, a willingness to improve, and the ability to learn through experience.
Producing quality results: The role requires careful research, accurate documentation, attention to detail, and the ability to complete assigned tasks to an appropriate standard.
Collaborative working: The intern must be willing to work with colleagues, contribute to shared projects, and respect the perspectives of people from different professional and cultural backgrounds.
Computer literacy: Applicants should be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Responsible use of artificial intelligence: Candidates should know how to use AI responsibly for research purposes. This includes exercising appropriate judgment when using AI tools and maintaining the quality, accuracy, and integrity of research outputs.
Relevant experience and subject knowledge
Applicants should have an interest in applied ethics and familiarity with key ethical concepts.
Particular emphasis is placed on ethical questions relating to:
- Public health.
- Climate change and health.
- Emerging technologies.
Candidates may strengthen their applications by demonstrating relevant academic work, research interests, coursework, projects, or other experience related to these areas.
The vacancy does not specify a minimum number of years of professional experience. Applicants should therefore focus on demonstrating the relevant knowledge and capabilities required for the internship rather than assuming that extensive employment history is necessary.
Language requirements
Essential language requirement:
Candidates must have expert knowledge of English, including reading, writing, and speaking.
Strong English skills are important because the role involves reviewing literature, preparing technical documents, writing summaries, participating in meetings, and communicating research findings.
Desirable language skills:
Intermediate knowledge of French is desirable. Intermediate knowledge of another United Nations language is also considered an advantage.
French may be useful in a Geneva-based international working environment, but the vacancy identifies expert English as the essential language requirement.
Who Should Apply for This Internship?
The internship is particularly relevant to postgraduate students and recent graduates who want to develop expertise in the ethical dimensions of global health and scientific progress.
Potentially suitable applicants include students and recent graduates with interests in:
- Bioethics and applied ethics.
- Public health policy and governance.
- Medical ethics and research involving human participants.
- Health law and international health governance.
- Ethical implications of emerging technologies.
- Climate change and health.
- Public health surveillance and health data governance.
- Emergency preparedness and response.
- International health policy and guideline development.
- Research synthesis and technical writing.
Candidates who enjoy reviewing scientific literature, analyzing complex issues, writing evidence-based summaries, and working with multidisciplinary teams may find the position particularly suitable.
Applicants should also be comfortable working in an international setting and contributing to technical projects that involve multiple stakeholders.
Application Deadline for the WHO Ethics Internship 2027
The vacancy information provided lists the closing date as 24 October 2026 at 2:59 a.m., while warning that the displayed deadline may reflect the applicant’s personal device settings.
Because time-zone settings can affect the displayed closing time, candidates should confirm the exact deadline directly on the official WHO recruitment portal.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare their materials early and avoid waiting until the final hours to submit their applications.
Official vacancy and application link: https://careers.who.int/careersection/intern/jobdetail.ftl?job=2604183&tz=GMT%2B02%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FParis
How to Apply for the WHO Ethics Internship 2027
Applications should be submitted through the official WHO careers portal. Candidates should review the vacancy requirements carefully and provide accurate information about their educational background, relevant skills, and research interests.
Step 1: Visit the official vacancy page
Open the official WHO recruitment page for vacancy number 2604183:
Read the full description to confirm the internship dates, responsibilities, eligibility requirements, and deadline.
Step 2: Review your eligibility
Confirm that your postgraduate studies or recent qualification meet the stated educational requirements.
Review your academic discipline, familiarity with applied ethics, English-language proficiency, and relevant research or communication skills.
If your qualification is from an institution that is not readily identifiable in WHED, check whether further verification may be required.
Step 3: Prepare your application information
Gather accurate information about your education, research interests, relevant academic activities, and skills.
Ensure that your application demonstrates how your background relates to the work of the Ethics team.
Relevant experience may include academic research, literature reviews, policy analysis, scientific writing, ethics-related coursework, and projects involving public health or emerging technologies.
Follow the instructions provided in the official application system and submit any materials it requests.
Step 4: Explain your motivation and suitability
Your application should communicate why you are interested in global health ethics and how the internship fits your academic or professional goals.
Where relevant, explain your interest in areas such as research ethics, public health surveillance, climate change and health, emerging technologies, or emergency preparedness.
Highlight examples that demonstrate analytical thinking, clear communication, attention to detail, collaboration, and the ability to work with research evidence.
Step 5: Submit the application before the deadline
Complete the application through the official WHO recruitment portal and verify that all required sections have been submitted successfully.
Keep a record of your application details and monitor your email for any communication from WHO.
The vacancy notice states that internships are highly competitive and that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. Applicants should therefore ensure that their submissions are accurate, complete, and relevant to the advertised position.
Step 6: Prepare for possible post-selection requirements
If selected, candidates will be required to provide additional documentation, including:
- Certified copies of proof of enrolment in an eligible course of study.
- A completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work.
- Contact details for reference checks.
Final candidates will also undergo background verification in accordance with WHO’s recruitment requirements.
Candidates should be prepared to provide the necessary documentation if requested.
Important Information for Applicants
Before applying, candidates should understand several additional conditions described in the vacancy announcement.
Competitive selection process
WHO internships attract applicants from a range of academic and professional backgrounds. Only a small number of candidates are accepted each year.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection. Applicants should demonstrate a strong connection between their background, research interests, and the team’s objectives.
Accommodation and cost of living
Geneva can be an expensive place to live, and finding suitable accommodation may be challenging.
Although the internship includes a living allowance and other support, applicants should assess whether they can meet their financial obligations throughout the 24-week placement.
Recognition of educational qualifications
WHO considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database.
Candidates should check their institution’s recognition status and determine whether any additional review may be required.
Diversity and inclusion
WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment based on mutual respect.
The organization states that recruitment and employment decisions are made without discrimination on grounds including disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religion, cultural or ethnic background, socioeconomic background, or other personal characteristics.
WHO also emphasizes gender parity and geographical diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States are strongly encouraged to apply.
Reasonable accommodations
Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the recruitment process.
Requests should be sent to: reasonableaccommodation@who.int
Professional conduct and safeguarding
WHO maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, discrimination, abuse of authority, and other forms of abusive conduct.
All members of the WHO workforce are expected to support a safe and respectful workplace and report actual or suspected misconduct through the appropriate channels.
Final candidates may undergo background verification to help ensure compliance with the organization’s professional and ethical standards.
Tobacco policy
The vacancy announcement states that WHO maintains a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
Candidates should review the official vacancy information for the organization’s applicable requirements.
Vaccination and medical clearance
WHO contracts are conditional on workforce members confirming that they have received vaccinations required by the organization before undertaking an assignment, except where a medical condition prevents vaccination and the required medical certification is provided.
Successful candidates may be asked to provide relevant vaccination evidence during the medical clearance process.
Applicants should also be aware that some countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit, including yellow fever vaccination for certain destinations.
For vaccination-related questions, the vacancy announcement provides the following contact address: shws@who.int
Technical support for online applications
If the WHO recruitment website does not display correctly, the vacancy announcement recommends trying the following steps:
- Ensure that the browser is up to date.
- Clear the browser history and reopen the website in a new browser.
- Try Mozilla Firefox or another supported browser.
- Access the recruitment portal using another device if necessary.
WHO also provides official guidance for candidates completing job applications:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the WHO Ethics Internship 2027 paid?
The internship does not provide a salary. However, WHO provides a living allowance, subject to individual financial assessment, as well as daily lunch vouchers worth CHF 20 per working day and accident and medical insurance coverage.
For interns whose permanent residence is outside Geneva, the maximum stated monthly allowance is CHF 1,680. For those whose permanent residence is in Geneva, the maximum is CHF 739 per month.
2. Where will the internship take place?
The internship will take place at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, within the Science for Health division.
3. How long does the internship last?
The internship lasts 24 weeks, from 1 February to 16 July 2027.
4. Which academic disciplines are eligible?
The vacancy identifies bioethics, public health, medicine, philosophy, law, and related disciplines as relevant fields. Applicants are expected to be enrolled in a postgraduate qualification or to apply within 18 months of completing their qualification.
5. Is French mandatory?
No. Expert knowledge of English is essential. Intermediate French or intermediate knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
6. What kind of work will the intern perform?
The intern will support ethics research, literature reviews, technical writing, evidence summaries, reports, presentations, workshops, expert consultations, and projects related to emerging technologies and public health surveillance.
7. Can applicants with an interest in emerging technologies apply?
Yes. The vacancy specifically includes work on the governance of emerging technologies in public health, including support for the WHO-OECD TArGET tool.
Applicants should demonstrate relevant academic interests and meet the stated educational requirements.
8. Is professional experience required?
The vacancy specifies an interest in applied ethics and familiarity with key ethical concepts, particularly those related to public health, climate change, and emerging technologies. It does not state a minimum number of years of professional experience.
9. What is the application deadline?
The vacancy information provided lists 24 October 2026 as the closing date. The displayed time is 2:59 a.m., but WHO warns that the deadline may reflect the applicant’s device settings. Candidates should confirm the exact closing time on the official recruitment page.
10. Will every applicant receive a response?
No. The vacancy announcement states that the internship is highly competitive and that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
11. What documents may be required after selection?
Selected candidates will be required to provide certified proof of enrolment in an eligible course, a completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work, and contact details for reference checks. Additional requirements may apply as part of medical clearance and background verification.
Conclusion
The WHO Ethics Internship 2027 in Geneva offers a valuable opportunity for postgraduate students and recent graduates to gain practical experience in global health ethics, public health policy, research, and international technical collaboration.
Over 24 weeks, the selected intern will support the WHO Ethics team’s work on ethical guidance, emerging technologies, public health surveillance, climate change and health, emergency preparedness, and research ethics. The position also provides opportunities to strengthen technical writing, evidence synthesis, project coordination, communication, and multidisciplinary teamwork skills.
Although the internship is unpaid, WHO provides a living allowance based on individual circumstances, daily lunch vouchers, and accident and medical insurance coverage. Applicants should nevertheless consider Geneva’s living costs and accommodation challenges before committing to the placement.
Candidates with relevant postgraduate studies, strong English-language skills, an interest in applied ethics, and the ability to contribute to research and technical projects are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria carefully.
The application deadline is listed as 24 October 2026. Interested candidates should consult the official WHO vacancy announcement, confirm the exact closing time, and submit their applications through the recruitment portal as early as possible.
Apply through the official WHO careers portal: https://careers.who.int/careersection/intern/jobdetail.ftl?job=2604183&tz=GMT%2B02%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FParis
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