The World Health Organisation (WHO) has opened applications for its 2026 Paid Internship Programme, providing Nigerian students and recent graduates with an opportunity to gain international work experience while receiving a monthly living allowance.
Programme Overview and Benefits
The internship is designed to expose young professionals to real-world public health operations and administrative functions within one of the world's leading health organisations. Successful applicants will work alongside experienced professionals at WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country offices across the globe.
According to a report by MSME Africa, participants will receive a monthly living allowance, though the amount varies depending on the location of the internship. Interns will also benefit from medical and accident insurance coverage for the duration of the programme.
Beyond financial support, participants gain practical work experience by contributing to ongoing WHO projects, interacting with international experts, and learning how global health policies are developed and implemented. The internship also offers networking opportunities that could lead to future employment within international organisations and the wider health sector.
Eligibility Criteria
WHO states that the programme is open to students currently pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate studies at recognised institutions, as well as recent graduates who completed their studies within the last six months. Applicants must be at least 20 years old at the time of application. Undergraduate candidates must have completed a minimum of three years of full-time study before the internship begins.
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in at least one of WHO's official working languages and must not have close family relationships with current WHO staff members.
Available Internship Fields
The internship covers a wide range of technical and administrative disciplines, making it accessible to candidates from various academic backgrounds. Opportunities are available in areas including:
- Public Health
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy
- Communications
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Data Science
- Finance
- Administration
- Legal Affairs
- Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Research
- Programme Management
This broad range means applicants are not limited to medical or health-related courses; professionals in technology, finance, communications, and administration are also encouraged to apply.
Year-Round Applications
Unlike many graduate programmes with fixed deadlines, the WHO Internship Programme accepts applications throughout the year. Vacancies are advertised as positions become available, each with its own application deadline. Prospective applicants are advised to monitor the WHO Careers portal regularly for newly published internship opportunities that match their qualifications and interests.
Interested Nigerians can apply by visiting the official WHO Careers portal, searching for available internship vacancies, and submitting their applications online. Candidates should prepare all required academic documents and ensure their applications are completed before the closing date for each opportunity.
