Unlock WHO Career Opportunities: Your Guide To Landing World Health Organisation Jobs

Unlock WHO Career Opportunities: Your Guide To Landing World Health Organisation Jobs

Want to Work at the World Health Organization? Here’s Exactly How to Stand Out

Are you serious about driving global health change? The World Health Organization (WHO) hires experts worldwide for roles that shape health policy, respond to emergencies, and improve lives. This guide shows you step by step how to position yourself as a competitive candidate, from writing a WHO-aligned resume to nailing the application process.

WHO Careers: What Roles Are Actually Available?

WHO offers a wide spectrum of positions across global offices, field projects, and headquarters. These include:

  • Technical roles: Epidemiologist, Public Health Officer, Health Economist, Data Analyst

  • Operational roles: Procurement Specialist, Logistics Officer, Budget & Finance Analyst

  • Policy & Programme roles: Health Policy Advisor, Programme Management Officer, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist

  • Support roles: HR Officer, Communications Specialist, Administrative Assistant

Job grades range from G (General Service) for support roles, to P (Professional) and D (Director-level) for technical and senior leadership roles. For early-career professionals, Internships, JPO (Junior Professional Officer), and the WHO Global Talent Pool are great entry points.

How to Write a Resume That WHO Will Shortlist

Your resume must show technical credibility and a clear alignment to WHO’s mission and competencies. Generic resumes will not get you far, customisation is key.

Checklist: What to Include in a WHO-Focused Resume

  • Personal Details: Full name, email, nationality (necessary for UN eligibility), languages spoken

  • Professional Summary: 3–4 lines outlining your health expertise and interest in global public health

  • Core Competencies: Directly match these to the position—e.g. outbreak response, project coordination, epidemiological surveillance

  • Employment History: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to showcase tangible impact. E.g.
    "Led contact tracing for COVID-19 cluster in regional Victoria, tracing 180+ individuals within 48 hours, helping reduce spread by 38% in two weeks."

  • Education & Certifications: MPH, MD, PhD, or equivalent plus any WHO-relevant training (e.g. GCP, humanitarian logistics, project cycle management)

  • Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in French, Spanish or Arabic is a major advantage

  • Tech & Tools: Include familiarity with tools like DHIS2, SPSS, Epi Info, Power BI, or ERP systems used in global health

Pro Tip: WHO’s e-recruit system uses screening questions. Anticipate these and prepare answers that reflect their core values: integrity, professionalism, and commitment to WHO’s mandate.

Understanding the WHO Application Process

  1. Create a WHO e-Recruit profile: https://careers.who.int

  2. Tailor your application to each job posting: Don’t reuse the same resume.

  3. Address each requirement in the job description: Especially the “Desirable Qualifications” and “Experience” sections.

  4. Submit before the deadline: WHO roles often close strictly at 11:59 PM Geneva time (not Australian Time).

  5. Prepare for technical assessments and panel interviews if shortlisted.

5 Ways to Improve Your Odds of Getting Hired

✅ Read the job description word for word. Tailor every sentence of your application accordingly.
✅ Use measurable impact in your experience—WHO loves data.
✅ Speak their language: use terms like “health systems strengthening”, “evidence-based policy”, or “multilateral coordination”.
✅ Emphasise cultural adaptability and field-readiness, especially for emergency response roles.
✅ Demonstrate alignment with WHO’s Strategic Priorities: Universal Health Coverage, Health Emergencies, and Healthier Populations.

Need Help? Get Your Resume Reviewed by a WHO Application Specialist

Applying for a WHO job isn’t like applying to a hospital or university. You need to show both global context and technical expertise, plus a resume that passes UN-style filtering.

📩 Send your resume to info@theperfectresume.com.au for a free review. We’ve helped hundreds of candidates secure roles in UN agencies and know what it takes to stand out in a sea of qualified applicants.

Final Thought

Getting a job at WHO isn’t impossible, but it is competitive. If you’re committed to making a global impact, then invest in your application the same way you would in the job. And remember: clarity, customisation, and credibility win interviews.

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