Health Emergency Preparedness Officer (UN Volunteer)

About the role

The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking an International UN Volunteer Health Emergency Preparedness Officer in Mogadishu, Somalia. The assignment supports the WHO Health Emergencies Programme in strengthening national and subnational preparedness and response capacities, implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and improving coordination of health emergency responses. It contributes to addressing public health threats from disease outbreaks, floods, droughts and other humanitarian emergencies.

Key responsibilities

• Support Federal and State Ministries of Health and the National Institute of Health in assessing and monitoring emergency preparedness capacities in line with the IHR 2005.
• Monitor alerts through the Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) and support timely response actions.
• Facilitate all-hazards emergency preparedness planning with national health and disaster management authorities.
• Lead rapid multisectoral public health risk assessments in newly accessible or climate-affected areas and prepare targeted response profiles.
• Organize tabletop exercises and functional simulation drills to assess and strengthen emergency readiness.
• Manage and regularly update WHO's emergency contingency stocks, prepositioning plans and supply distribution pipelines.
• Support integrating health emergency preparedness with nutrition, food safety, water and sanitation interventions.
• Facilitate One Health initiatives to strengthen multisectoral collaboration in Somalia.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Disaster Management, Epidemiology, Global Health Policy or a related field; a Master's in Public Health, Health Policy or Health Systems Management is desirable.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in public health emergencies, disaster management or international humanitarian response.
• Experience supporting emergency preparedness, risk assessments and humanitarian response operations.
• Previous field experience with WHO or another UN agency in a complex emergency setting (Grade 2 or Grade 3) is desirable.
• Fluent English required; basic Arabic is desirable.

Required skills

• Familiarity with the WHO Incident Management System (IMS) is a distinct advantage.

What we offer

• A benefits package including a monthly living allowance, health insurance and learning opportunities.