WHO Ethics Paid Internship 2027 in Switzerland

Applications are now open for the WHO Internship 2027 in the Ethics Team, based at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This is a partially funded, 24 week internship for postgraduate students and recent graduates in bioethics, public health, medicine, philosophy, law or related fields. Selected interns receive a monthly living allowance of up to 1,680 CHF, daily lunch vouchers and medical insurance, but no salary.

Applicants must be enrolled in a postgraduate programme or have completed one within the last eighteen months, and must have expert level English. The posting does not restrict applications by nationality and does not mention any application fee. The deadline is October 24, 2026, so apply soon. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)
• Position: Internship, Ethics Team in Foresight, Leadership and Ethics in Science
• Host Country: Switzerland
• Location: Geneva
• Funding Type: Paid
• Application Fee: Not mentioned in the official posting
• Open to All Nationalities: Yes
• Application Deadline: October 24, 2026

About the Ethics Team:

The Ethics team at WHO is the focal point for ethical issues raised by the Organization’s activities. It develops global norms in health ethics and helps Member States build their own ethics capacity.

The team’s work covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Public health surveillance
• Genomics
• Research with human beings
• Fair access to health services
• Global governance of emerging technologies
• Health inequalities
• Resource allocation and priority setting
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Climate change and health

Also Check: WHO Paid Internship in Geneva, Switzerland

What Will You Do as an Intern:

• Taking part in ongoing ethics projects and meetings, as well as those of the FLS unit and the SFH department
• Helping prepare briefs, evidence summaries, meeting notes, draft reports and presentations on ethical issues
• Reviewing and summarizing academic and grey literature on topics set by the team
• Supporting the development, piloting and implementation of TArGET, the WHO and OECD Tool for the Anticipatory Governance of Emerging Technologies in Public Health
• Supporting a programme of work with the health emergencies team on ethical issues in public health surveillance
• Helping organize and document consultations, workshops and expert meetings, including agendas, background notes, participant lists, discussion summaries and follow up actions
• Supporting major outreach activities, namely the Global Summit of National Ethics Committees and regional meetings, the Global Forum on Bioethics in Research, and the Ethics2Policy Platform

What Will You Learn:

• Understand WHO’s work in ethics, especially on emerging technologies, climate change and health, emergency preparedness and response, and the use of ethics in policy decisions
• Learn how WHO works with Member States, expert groups, regional and country offices and external partners to develop ethics guidance
• Gain knowledge of how international guidelines are developed at WHO
• Contribute current, high quality ethics research to pressing global health issues
• Work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
• Gain practical experience managing complex projects in global health ethics

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Eligibility and Requirements:

Education

You must be enrolled in a postgraduate programme, or apply within eighteen months of completing one, in a field such as:

• Bioethics
• Public health
• Medicine
• Philosophy
• Law
• Other related disciplines

Skills and Competencies

• Strong written and spoken communication
• Ability to produce and deliver quality results
• Good knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowing how to use AI responsibly for research

Experience

• An interest in applied ethics
• Familiarity with key ethical concepts, especially those related to public health, climate change and emerging technologies

Languages

• Essential: Expert English (reading, writing and speaking)
• Desirable: Intermediate French and intermediate knowledge of another UN language

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Financial Support:

Interns do not receive a salary, but WHO provides a living allowance. The exact amount is calculated after selection, based on a financial disclosure form, and depends on any other funding you receive (such as a grant or scholarship) and on where your permanent residence is.

• Permanent residence in Geneva: up to 739 CHF per month
• Permanent residence outside Geneva: up to 1,680 CHF per month
• Lunch vouchers: 20 CHF per working day for all interns in Geneva
• Insurance: Accident and medical insurance coverage for all interns

Documents Needed If Selected:

• Certified proof of enrolment in an eligible course of study
• A completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work
• Contact details for reference checks

Your qualification must come from an institution listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) at whed.net.

Also Check: Paid Spring Internships at Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC

How to Apply:

1. Visit the official WHO careers page [insert official application link here].
2. Search for reference number 2604183.
3. Create or log in to your account and complete the application form.
4. Submit your application before the deadline.

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