WHO Research Officer Position 2026 | Apply in Burkina Faso

<p>The <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> is recruiting a <strong>Research Officer (P2)</strong> to support work on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN).</p> <ul> <li><strong>Location:</strong> Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso</li> <li><strong>Position:</strong> Research Officer</li> <li><strong>Grade:</strong> P2</li> <li><strong>Contract:</strong> 12 months</li> <li><strong>Deadline:</strong> 11 September 2026 at 2:59 PM</li> <li><strong>Starting annual base salary:</strong> USD 56,046, plus applicable post adjustment and other benefits</li> </ul> <h2>About the Position</h2> <p>The Research Officer will work under the direction of the ESPEN Team Leader and direct supervision of the ESPEN Laboratory Head.</p> <p>The role contributes to WHO&#8217;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.</p> <h2>Key Responsibilities</h2> <p>The successful candidate will contribute to laboratory research, surveillance, GIS and capacity-building activities.</p> <p>Key duties include:</p> <ul> <li>Contributing to the development of laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures and diagnostic tools for NTDs.</li> <li>Providing technical support for operational research related to NTD elimination.</li> <li>Conducting O-150 PCR entomological testing of <em>S. damnosum s.l.</em> adults using molecular biology techniques.</li> <li>Conducting entomological analyses.</li> <li>Documenting and disseminating laboratory best practices and protocols.</li> <li>Supporting collaborative operational research activities and scientific publications.</li> <li>Maintaining laboratory databases.</li> <li>Developing mapping of laboratory data and entomological surveillance results.</li> <li>Working with the ESPEN data team in Brazzaville.</li> <li>Supporting inter-country and national training activities to build laboratory and field research capacity.</li> </ul> <h2>Required Qualifications</h2> <h3>Education</h3> <p>Applicants must have a <strong>first university degree</strong> in one of the following fields:</p> <ul> <li>Computer Sciences</li> <li>Information System Engineering</li> <li>Geographical Information System (GIS)</li> <li>Public Health</li> <li>Parasitology</li> <li>Medical Entomology</li> </ul> <p>Advanced certification or additional qualifications in areas such as computer sciences, molecular biology, parasitology, entomology, laboratory sciences or related fields are desirable.</p> <h3>Professional Experience</h3> <p>Applicants must have a <strong>minimum of two years of national and international experience</strong> in areas including:</p> <ul> <li>Applied molecular biology</li> <li>Research and development of surveillance tools for onchocerciasis or other priority NTDs in Africa</li> <li>GIS data transformation</li> <li>Mapping and spatial modelling of onchocerciasis foci</li> </ul> <p>Previous experience with WHO and a strong publication record on onchocerciasis or other NTDs are considered desirable.</p> <h2>Required Skills</h2> <p>The position requires strong technical knowledge and research capabilities.</p> <p>Applicants should have:</p> <ul> <li>Excellent knowledge of the epidemiology of onchocerciasis.</li> <li>Knowledge of onchocerciasis transmission, distribution and socioeconomic impact.</li> <li>Knowledge of disease control and elimination strategies in the African Region.</li> <li>Knowledge of lymphatic filariasis epidemiology and control strategies.</li> <li>Strong GIS and remote-sensing skills.</li> <li>Ability to analyse biological specimens involving vectors and parasites.</li> <li>Ability to conduct laboratory needs assessments.</li> <li>Ability to coordinate training activities in NTD field research, GIS and mapping.</li> </ul> <h2>Language Requirements</h2> <p><strong>Essential:</strong> Expert knowledge of French.</p> <p><strong>Desirable:</strong> Intermediate knowledge of English.</p> <p>The language requirements are interchangeable according to the vacancy information.</p> <h2>Salary and Benefits</h2> <p>The position is classified at <strong>P2 level</strong>.</p> <p>The annual base salary starts at <strong>USD 56,046</strong>, subject to applicable mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance.</p> <p>The position also includes a variable post adjustment, currently stated as <strong>USD 1,789 per month</strong> for the Ouagadougou duty station.</p> <p>Other benefits include:</p> <ul> <li>30 days of annual leave</li> <li>Allowances for dependent family members</li> <li>Home leave</li> <li>Education grant for dependent children</li> </ul> <h2>WHO Competencies</h2> <p>The vacancy identifies the following core competencies:</p> <ul> <li>Teamwork</li> <li>Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences</li> <li>Communication</li> <li>Producing results</li> </ul> <h2>Contract Duration</h2> <p>The Research Officer position is offered as a <strong>temporary appointment for 12 months</strong>.</p> <p>The position is based in <strong>Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso</strong>, and is a full-time role.</p> <h2>Additional Information</h2> <p>WHO notes that a <strong>written test and/or asynchronous video assessment</strong> may be used during the screening process.</p> <p>Candidates who are retained for an interview will be required to provide scanned copies of the degrees, diplomas or certificates required for the position.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>WHO encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States.</p> <h2>Application Deadline</h2> <p>The application deadline is:</p> <p><strong>11 September 2026 at 2:59 PM</strong></p> <p>Applicants are encouraged to submit their <a href="https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2603502&amp;tz=GMT%2B02%3A00&amp;tzname=Africa%2FJohannesburg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">applications</a> before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.</p> <h2>Who Should Apply?</h2> <p>This opportunity is particularly suitable for professionals with backgrounds in <strong>public health, parasitology, medical entomology, molecular biology, GIS, remote sensing, epidemiology and NTD research</strong>.</p> <p>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.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <p>The <a href="https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2603502&amp;tz=GMT%2B02%3A00&amp;tzname=Africa%2FJohannesburg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WHO Research Officer position in Ouagadougou</strong></a> provides an opportunity for qualified professionals to contribute to regional efforts to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases in Africa.</p> <p>The role combines <strong>molecular biology, entomological surveillance, GIS, operational research, laboratory systems and capacity building</strong>, making it particularly relevant to professionals working at the intersection of public health, disease surveillance and scientific research.</p> <p>Eligible candidates with the required academic background, professional experience and French-language proficiency should consider applying before <strong>11 September 2026</strong>.</p> <p>Discover more opportunities on the <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=jobs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OFY Webpage</a>.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/09/02/who-research-officer-position-2026-apply-in-burkina-faso/">WHO Research Officer Position 2026 | Apply in Burkina Faso</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>