Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603502
• Grade: P2
• Contractual arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
• Contract duration: 12 Months
• Organization: AF_BFA Burkina Faso
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Sep 11, 2026, 9:59:00 PM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) is part of and contributes to the work of the DPC Cluster. The ESPEN programme focuses on supporting Member States in achieving SDG targets related to the preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs), investing in fostering Member State investments in elimination of five neglected tropical diseases amenable to preventive chemotherapy - lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis, and trachoma - in the WHO African Region and in selected countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, and as guided by the DPC strategic agenda. The vision of the DPC cluster is an African Region where access to health care services at all levels is optimized to provide responses that lead to control, elimination and eradication of targeted diseases, allowing people to thrive in healthy environments, attaining the highest possible standard of health and well-being, through the life course. The goal of the cluster is to drive attainment of relevant SDG targets in the WHO African region. The mission is to build an African Region that is resilient, agile and responsive to the complex requirements of its diverse populations, using an integrated, multi-sectoral approach that fosters cooperation and collaboration to support Member States' investments in disease control and prevention, building healthier populations, using equity-based and people-centred approaches. The cluster strategic directions are as follows: (1) Leadership in coordination, partnership, strategic communication and resource mobilization; (2) Generation of strategic information and knowledge products; (3) Development of WHO technical products, services, and tools; and (4) Country support facilitation and institutional capacity building. The overall objective of the ESPEN programme is to provide leadership and ensure action in Member States towards reducing morbidity, mortality, and disability associated with NTDs. Towards this objective, the ESPEN programme focuses on facilitating integrated, evidence-based, and people-centred approaches.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direction of the ESPEN Team Leader and the direct supervision of the ESPEN Laboratory Head. The incumbent will be expected to undertake the following duties:

1.Support in coordination, partnership, strategic communication and resource mobilization:
•Contribute to the development of laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures and tools for diagnosis of NTDs
• Provide technical support in the designing and/or implementation of operational research studies related to PC-NTD elimination

2.Generation of strategic information and knowledge products:
•Perform O-150 PCR entomological testing of S. damnosum s.l. adults by molecular biology techniques or any novel techniques available in the laboratory, as well as any entomological analyses 
•Document and disseminate best practices and laboratory protocols across national NTD laboratory network.
•Provide technical support for the implementation of various collaborative operational research activities and contribute to the preparation of scientific reports and publications

3.Development of WHO technical products, services, and tools:
•Support maintenance of the laboratory databases, develop mapping of laboratory data and entomological surveillance results, and liaise with the ESPEN data team in Brazzaville

4.Country technical support facilitation:
•Contribute to planning and facilitating inter-country and in country-trainings to build capacity of nationals in laboratory analytics of epidemiological, entomological and environmental samples for NTDs. 

5.Provide other related duties as requested by the ESPEN Team Lead.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in computer sciences, information system engineering, geographical information system (GIS), Public health, Parasitology, medical entomology
Desirable: Advanced certification in computer sciences, operational and strategic management of microorganisms, Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Entomology and laboratory sciences.
 

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 2 years of national and international experience in applied molecular biology, research and development of surveillance tools for onchocerciasis or other priority NTDs in Africa, GIS data transformation for mapping and spatial modeling of onchocerciasis foci.
Desirable: Working experience with WHO and a good publication record on onchocerciasis and other NTDs would be an asset.
 

Skills

•Excellent knowledge of the epidemiology of onchocerciasis (distribution, transmission, the socio-economic impact) and control and elimination strategies in the African Region •A good knowledge of the epidemiology and the control strategies of lymphatic filariasis. •Strong knowledge of GIS and Remote sensing techniques and tools •Ability to perform population analysis of biological specimens for onchocerciasis and other NTDs (vectors and parasites).•Ability to conduct country laboratory needs assessment and coordinate training sessions to build capacity of nationals in NTD related field research, GIS and mapping for onchocerciasis and LF.
 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
 

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 56,046 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1789 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates