The World Health Organization (WHO) is recruiting a Research Officer at P2 level for a full-time opportunity based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The position is offered as a 12-month temporary appointment and provides qualified professionals with an opportunity to contribute to research, laboratory science, disease surveillance, and the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
According to the official WHO vacancy notice, the Research Officer will work within WHO Burkina Faso and support the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN). The role is particularly relevant to professionals with backgrounds in public health, molecular biology, parasitology, medical entomology, geographical information systems (GIS), and related scientific disciplines.
The vacancy carries reference number 2603502, is classified at P2 level, and was posted on August 21, 2026. The official WHO listing gives a closing date of September 11, 2026, while noting that the displayed closing time reflects the applicant’s device settings. Candidates should therefore verify the exact deadline directly on the official recruitment portal and submit their applications as early as possible.
WHO Research Officer Job Overview
Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)
Position: Research Officer
Vacancy Number: 2603502
Grade: P2
Location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration: 12 months
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Date: August 21, 2026
Closing Date: September 11, 2026
Starting Base Salary: US$56,046 per year
Essential Language: Expert knowledge of French
Desirable Language: Intermediate knowledge of English
These details are based on WHO’s official vacancy announcement.
Background and Job Description
The Research Officer will contribute to the work of ESPEN, an initiative supporting countries in efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases that can be addressed through preventive chemotherapy.
ESPEN’s work includes supporting progress against lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis and trachoma across the WHO African Region and selected countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
This makes the position more than a conventional research role. The successful candidate will contribute to laboratory systems, operational research, disease surveillance, scientific knowledge generation, GIS-based analysis and capacity building.
The Research Officer will operate under the direction of the ESPEN Team Leader and the direct supervision of the ESPEN Laboratory Head.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will support WHO’s research and technical activities associated with NTD control and elimination.
Responsibilities include contributing to the development of laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures and diagnostic tools for neglected tropical diseases. The officer will also provide technical support for the design and implementation of operational research studies associated with PC-NTD elimination.
Another important part of the position involves laboratory and entomological research. This includes performing O-150 PCR entomological testing of S. damnosum s.l. adults using molecular biology methods or other suitable techniques available in the laboratory.
The Research Officer will also help document and disseminate laboratory protocols and best practices across national NTD laboratory networks.
Additional responsibilities include supporting collaborative operational research, contributing to scientific reports and publications, maintaining laboratory information, mapping laboratory and entomological surveillance data, and supporting training and capacity-building initiatives.
The role therefore combines scientific research with practical public-health implementation and regional collaboration.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Candidates must have a first university degree in one of the academic areas identified by WHO, including:
- Computer Science
- Information System Engineering
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Public Health
- Parasitology
- Medical Entomology
Additional or advanced qualifications in relevant areas such as molecular biology, computer science, parasitology, entomology and laboratory sciences are considered desirable.
Applicants should carefully compare their academic qualifications with the official vacancy requirements before submitting an application.
Experience
WHO requires candidates to have at least two years of relevant national and international professional experience.
Relevant experience includes applied molecular biology and research or development of surveillance tools associated with onchocerciasis or other priority neglected tropical diseases in Africa.
Experience involving GIS data transformation and the mapping or spatial modelling of onchocerciasis foci is also relevant to the position.
Previous experience working with WHO is desirable rather than essential. A strong publication record involving onchocerciasis or other neglected tropical diseases is also considered an advantage.
Skills and Technical Knowledge
Applicants should have strong technical knowledge of the epidemiology of onchocerciasis, including its transmission, geographical distribution and socioeconomic consequences.
Understanding disease control and elimination strategies within the African Region is important. Knowledge of lymphatic filariasis epidemiology and control approaches is also desirable.
Because geographical data play an important role in NTD surveillance and elimination, applicants should possess knowledge of GIS and remote-sensing techniques and tools.
Candidates should additionally be capable of supporting biological specimen analysis involving vectors and parasites and contributing to laboratory needs assessments and technical training.
The position is particularly suitable for professionals whose expertise connects laboratory science, epidemiology, disease surveillance, GIS and public health research.
WHO Competencies
WHO identifies several organizational competencies relevant to the position, including:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Producing results
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Successful applicants will therefore need more than technical expertise. The ability to collaborate effectively in an international and multidisciplinary environment will also be important.
Language Requirements
Expert knowledge of French is essential for this position.
Intermediate knowledge of English is listed as desirable. Applicants should review the language provisions in the official vacancy notice when determining whether they meet the requirements.
Salary and Employee Benefits
WHO states that salaries for staff members in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars.
For this P2 Research Officer vacancy, the annual base salary starts at US$56,046, subject to applicable mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance.
WHO also lists a variable post adjustment for the Ouagadougou duty station, currently stated at US$1,789 per month.
Depending on eligibility and applicable WHO rules, additional benefits can include:
- 30 days of annual leave
- Allowances for dependent family members
- Home leave
- Education grants for dependent children
The precise remuneration package may depend on the successful candidate’s individual circumstances and WHO rules.
Why This WHO Research Officer Opportunity Stands Out
This position provides an opportunity for an early-career or developing international professional to contribute directly to major public-health priorities in Africa.
Rather than focusing exclusively on desk-based research, the position connects laboratory research, molecular biology, epidemiology, GIS, surveillance and capacity development.
Experience gained through such a multidisciplinary role can be valuable for professionals building careers in global health, epidemiology, international development, disease surveillance and scientific research.
The P2 classification also makes the opportunity particularly relevant to professionals who have already obtained relevant academic training and have accumulated the required professional experience.
Additional Information for Applicants
WHO states that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test and/or asynchronous video assessment may be used during the recruitment process. Candidates progressing to later stages may also be required to provide documentation supporting their educational qualifications.
WHO emphasizes diversity and inclusion in recruitment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities and nationals of countries that are unrepresented or underrepresented within the organization.
Applicants should remember that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection. A strong application should clearly demonstrate how the candidate’s education, professional experience and technical expertise correspond to the duties described in the vacancy.
How to Apply for the WHO Research Officer P2 Job
Applications should be submitted through the official WHO careers system.
Candidates should first review the complete vacancy announcement, confirm that they meet the education, professional experience and language requirements, and prepare the required application information.
Because application deadlines displayed by WHO may reflect the system settings of an applicant’s device, candidates should avoid waiting until the final hours before submitting.
View the official WHO Research Officer vacancy and apply
Applicants should rely on the official WHO recruitment portal for the final eligibility requirements, deadline, and application instructions.
Application Deadline
The official vacancy lists September 11, 2026 as the closing date.
Since this is a time-sensitive vacancy, interested candidates should check the official WHO careers page immediately to confirm whether applications remain open in their location and submit before the deadline displayed by WHO.
Final Thoughts
The WHO Research Officer P2 Job in Burkina Faso 2026 offers a significant opportunity for professionals interested in public health research and the elimination of neglected tropical diseases.
With a 12-month appointment in Ouagadougou, the position brings together operational research, molecular biology, laboratory systems, GIS, disease surveillance and international public-health collaboration.
Professionals with relevant university qualifications, at least two years of appropriate experience, and strong French-language proficiency should carefully review the official vacancy and consider applying while applications remain open.
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