Health Emergency Preparedness Officer

About the role

The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports countries in preparing for, detecting and responding to public health emergencies. In Somalia, the Health Emergency Preparedness Officer will support the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), strengthen emergency preparedness capacities, enhance early warning systems and improve coordination for health emergency response.

Key responsibilities

• Support national and sub-national emergency preparedness capacity assessments in line with IHR (2005).
• Monitor and follow up on alerts from the Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN).
• Support all-hazard preparedness planning with government and emergency management partners.
• Conduct public health risk assessments and develop response profiles for crisis-affected areas.
• Organize and facilitate simulation exercises and emergency preparedness drills.
• Manage contingency stocks, prepositioning plans and emergency supply pipelines.
• Promote integration of health emergency preparedness with nutrition, WASH, food safety and other sectors.
• Support One Health initiatives and multisectoral collaboration.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Disaster Management, Epidemiology, Global Health Policy or a related field (required).
• Master's degree in Public Health, Health Policy or Health Systems Management (desirable).
• Minimum 3 years of experience in public health emergencies, disaster management or humanitarian response.
• Fluent English (required).

What we offer

• Standard UN Volunteer package, including a monthly living allowance of US$ 3,790 to US$ 4,240, insurance, leave and other entitlements under UNV Conditions of Service.
• Application deadline: 2 November 2026.