About the opportunity
The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking an Epidemiologist (Grade P3) for a one-year temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Working within the Department of Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (MNT) under the Strategic Information for Impact (SII) unit, the incumbent will design, plan, and implement applied analytics to generate robust evidence informing global and regional decisions, technical strategies, and guidance. Responsibilities include contributing to the production of the Annual World Malaria Report, reviewing analytical methodologies for burden of disease estimation, participating in sub-national tailoring of malaria interventions, and building collaborative partnerships across regional offices, UN agencies, and academic institutions.
Salary and benefits
- Annual base salary starting at USD 71,335, subject to mandatory deductions for pension and health insurance.
- Variable post adjustment reflecting the local cost of living in Geneva, currently amounting to USD 5,011 per month.
- 30 days of annual leave.
- Allowances for dependent family members and home leave.
- Education grant for dependent children.
- Parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance.
Who can apply?
- A first university degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related topic (essential); an advanced university degree at the Master's level or higher in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a related field is desirable.
- At least 5 years of professional experience working in malaria-endemic countries.
- Experience working with national malaria programmes (or NTDs) in one or more countries, with familiarity with the working and policy-making environment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Proven experience with survey and routine/programmatic data collection, management, analysis, and use in malaria and/or NTDs.
- Demonstrated exposure at the international level.
- Experience working with electronic surveillance platforms (e.g., DHIS2), data collection tools (e.g., ODK), and/or data visualization applications (e.g., Tableau).
- Expert knowledge of English; intermediate knowledge of French or another UN official language is desirable.
Required documents
- Scanned copies of required university degree(s), diploma(s), or certificate(s) accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) (required upon being retained for an interview).
- Updated vaccination card/evidence of required vaccinations during medical clearance.
When to apply
- Job Posting Date: August 28, 2026
- Application Deadline: September 18, 2026, at 9:59 PM UTC
How to apply
- Access the official WHO career portal job posting.
- Click the 'Apply Online' button to submit your application.
- Review detailed guidance on completing job applications via the official candidate instructions guide if needed.
Additional information
- This position is a temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4 for a duration of one year.
- A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a screening tool.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct, and conducts background verifications of final candidates.
- Successful candidates must confirm vaccination as required by WHO before undertaking the assignment.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Epidemiologists or biostatisticians with at least 5 years of professional experience in malaria-endemic countries.
- Professionals with hands-on experience using electronic surveillance platforms like DHIS2 and data visualization tools.
- Candidates familiar with the policy-making environment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
What should you think carefully about?
- This is a one-year temporary appointment, which may be less suitable for those seeking long-term permanent tenure.
- The role is based on-site in Geneva, requiring relocation for those not currently in Switzerland.
- Candidates should be prepared for a competitive selection process involving potential written or video assessments.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position provides an excellent platform for an epidemiologist to contribute directly to global health reporting and sub-national intervention strategies. It is a valuable opportunity for someone looking to gain high-level international experience within a specialized UN department while building a network across regional offices and academic institutions.
Our take
Highly recommended for mid-career epidemiologists with specific malaria expertise; those seeking permanent, long-term roles should note the one-year temporary nature of this contract.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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