Internship and Volunteers Programme
The Western Pacific Regional Office Internship and Volunteer Programme (IVP) provides opportunities for graduate and postgraduate students to gain real-world insight into the work of WHO. Practical assignments enhance the educational experience of interns and volunteers, providing them with personal development and better future employment opportunities.
Ultimately, IVP aims to nurture a pool of health professionals who are trained and exposed to the systems and processes in the health sector and understand how stakeholders interact within the international health arena. The programme helps countries develop a competent and dynamic workforce to advance health and achieve global goals. WHO programmes also receive input from postgraduate students specializing in various fields.
Ultimately, IVP aims to nurture a pool of health professionals who are trained and exposed to the systems and processes in the health sector and understand how stakeholders interact within the international health arena. The programme helps countries develop a competent and dynamic workforce to advance health and achieve global goals. WHO programmes also receive input from postgraduate students specializing in various fields.
Objectives
- To provide a framework for assigning postgraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes that can enhance their educational experience through practical assignments.
- To expose postgraduate students to the work of WHO.
- To provide WHO programmes with input from postgraduate students specializing in various fields. Most students are placed in health-related programmes, although other disciplines can be considered as appropriate.


The structure of the IVP curriculum is composed primarily of the agreed Terms of References (TORs) and core activities. Upon being selected and agreeing on TORs, interns and volunteers receive orientation to WHO, including its culture and values. Their technical skills and knowledge are then honed through coaching and mentoring, and they receive guidance from supervisors as they perform their TORs. Activities such as intern hour/hub, community/hospital exposure, visits to educational institutions, and brown bag sessions and activities allow interns and volunteers to gain invaluable knowledge and real-world experience.
Internship and volunteer placements can be with any of the programme units at WPRO. Additionally, there are assignment opportunities for students and recent graduates from non-medical disciplines.
Internship and volunteer placements can be with any of the programme units at WPRO. Additionally, there are assignment opportunities for students and recent graduates from non-medical disciplines.