WHO Research Officer Position 2026 | Apply in Burkina Faso

The World Health Organization (WHO) is recruiting a Research Officer (P2) to support work on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN).

• Location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
• Position: Research Officer
• Grade: P2
• Contract: 12 months
• Deadline: 11 September 2026 at 2:59 PM
• Starting annual base salary: USD 56,046, plus applicable post adjustment and other benefits

About the Position

The Research Officer will work under the direction of the ESPEN Team Leader and direct supervision of the ESPEN Laboratory Head.

The role contributes to WHO’s work to reduce the morbidity, mortality and disability associated with neglected tropical diseases, with particular attention to diseases amenable to preventive chemotherapy. These include lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis and trachoma.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will contribute to laboratory research, surveillance, GIS and capacity-building activities.

Key duties include:

• Contributing to the development of laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures and diagnostic tools for NTDs.
• Providing technical support for operational research related to NTD elimination.
• Conducting O-150 PCR entomological testing of S. damnosum s.l. adults using molecular biology techniques.
• Conducting entomological analyses.
• Documenting and disseminating laboratory best practices and protocols.
• Supporting collaborative operational research activities and scientific publications.
• Maintaining laboratory databases.
• Developing mapping of laboratory data and entomological surveillance results.
• Working with the ESPEN data team in Brazzaville.
• Supporting inter-country and national training activities to build laboratory and field research capacity.

Required Qualifications

Education

Applicants must have a first university degree in one of the following fields:

• Computer Sciences
• Information System Engineering
• Geographical Information System (GIS)
• Public Health
• Parasitology
• Medical Entomology

Advanced certification or additional qualifications in areas such as computer sciences, molecular biology, parasitology, entomology, laboratory sciences or related fields are desirable.

Professional Experience

Applicants must have a minimum of two years of national and international experience in areas including:

• Applied molecular biology
• Research and development of surveillance tools for onchocerciasis or other priority NTDs in Africa
• GIS data transformation
• Mapping and spatial modelling of onchocerciasis foci

Previous experience with WHO and a strong publication record on onchocerciasis or other NTDs are considered desirable.

Required Skills

The position requires strong technical knowledge and research capabilities.

Applicants should have:

• Excellent knowledge of the epidemiology of onchocerciasis.
• Knowledge of onchocerciasis transmission, distribution and socioeconomic impact.
• Knowledge of disease control and elimination strategies in the African Region.
• Knowledge of lymphatic filariasis epidemiology and control strategies.
• Strong GIS and remote-sensing skills.
• Ability to analyse biological specimens involving vectors and parasites.
• Ability to conduct laboratory needs assessments.
• Ability to coordinate training activities in NTD field research, GIS and mapping.

Language Requirements

Essential: Expert knowledge of French.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English.

The language requirements are interchangeable according to the vacancy information.

Salary and Benefits

The position is classified at P2 level.

The annual base salary starts at USD 56,046, subject to applicable mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance.

The position also includes a variable post adjustment, currently stated as USD 1,789 per month for the Ouagadougou duty station.

Other benefits include:

• 30 days of annual leave
• Allowances for dependent family members
• Home leave
• Education grant for dependent children

WHO Competencies

The vacancy identifies the following core competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results

Contract Duration

The Research Officer position is offered as a temporary appointment for 12 months.

The position is based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and is a full-time role.

Additional Information

WHO notes that a written test and/or asynchronous video assessment may be used during the screening process.

Candidates who are retained for an interview will be required to provide scanned copies of the degrees, diplomas or certificates required for the position.

WHO also notes that educational qualifications must come from institutions accredited or recognised in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), subject to the stated exceptions and review procedures.

WHO encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

11 September 2026 at 2:59 PM

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is particularly suitable for professionals with backgrounds in public health, parasitology, medical entomology, molecular biology, GIS, remote sensing, epidemiology and NTD research.

The strongest candidates will combine relevant academic training with at least two years of professional experience in NTD research, surveillance, molecular biology or GIS-based disease mapping.

Conclusion

The WHO Research Officer position in Ouagadougou provides an opportunity for qualified professionals to contribute to regional efforts to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases in Africa.

The role combines molecular biology, entomological surveillance, GIS, operational research, laboratory systems and capacity building, making it particularly relevant to professionals working at the intersection of public health, disease surveillance and scientific research.

Eligible candidates with the required academic background, professional experience and French-language proficiency should consider applying before 11 September 2026.

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