Who We Are
WHO in African Region
The WHO Regional Office for Africa is one of WHO’s 6 regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO African Region, which comprises 47 Member States with the Regional Office in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. As the lead health authority within the United Nations (UN) system, we work with the Member States in the African Region and development partners to improve the health and well-being of people.
Our work involves translation of global health initiatives into regional plans that respond to the specific needs and challenges of countries in the Region. We support countries to achieve better health outcomes through technical and policy advice, development of norms and standards, generation and sharing of knowledge and convening health partners. Together with countries, we attain health objectives by supporting national health policies and strategies.
Our main areas of work include health sector development, combating diseases – infectious diseases like TB and HIV, and non-infectious diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. We prepare for and rapidly respond to disasters and emergencies and help mothers and children survive and thrive, so they can look forward to a healthy old age.
WHO staff are united in a shared commitment to ensuring that all people have access to good quality affordable health care without falling into poverty.
What We Do
WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable.
Our goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being.
For universal health coverage, we:
- focus on primary health care to improve access to quality essential services
- work towards sustainable financing and financial protection
- improve access to essential medicines and health products
- train the health workforce and advise on labour policies
- support people’s participation in national health policies
- improve monitoring, data and information.
For health emergencies, we:
- prepare for emergencies by identifying, mitigating and managing risks
- prevent emergencies and support development of tools necessary during outbreaks
- detect and respond to acute health emergencies
- support delivery of essential health services in fragile settings.
For health and well-being we:
- address social determinants
- promote intersectoral approaches for health
- prioritize health in all policies and healthy settings.
Through our work, we address:
- human capital across the life-course
- noncommunicable diseases prevention
- mental health promotion
- climate change in small island developing states
- antimicrobial resistance
- elimination and eradication of high-impact communicable diseases.
Careers at WHO
Who We Need
We are looking for talented and passionate people to work for health.
WHO is committed to achieving workforce diversity, aiming to achieve a broad representation of nationals of our member countries. Particular attention is paid to candidates from developing countries and gender balance. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. All posts are filled in accordance with WHOs competency model.
There are two key categories of staff at WHO: professional (P) or directors (D) who are internationally recruited and general (G) or national professional (NPO) staff who are recruited locally for both fixed or short-term positions. We also run internship and opportunities for junior professional officers (JPOs).
What We Offer
We offer a dynamic and international work environment with a multi-cultural workforce, opportunities for professional development and a competitive remuneration package. At WHO we have a mobility policy to give staff the opportunity to gain experience in different parts of the world.
Build your career at WHO
We invite you to explore the many opportunities and benefits of joining WHO.
We offer professionals a unique opportunity to contribute to saving lives and support people’s health worldwide. Candidates appointed to an international fixed-term position with WHO may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
Vacancies/profile – external candidates access »
Vacancies/profile – WHO access »
Application Process
We are committed to establishing a long-lasting partnership with our staff.
A thorough review of all applications is essential. Our recruitment process takes several months as it involves a number of steps which may include screening, written test, interview, and assessment centre.
Competency Based Interviews
All posts are filled in accordance with WHOs competency model.
Need help?
- Need help filling in your online profile?
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See the instructions for candidates
Should you experience any issues with the submission of your application, please email us at: globalservicedesk@who.int.
Contact Information
WHO Country Office
PO Box 3444
9000 – Windhoek
Namibia
Email
afwcona@who.int
Telephone
+264 61 229825
Fax
+264 61 2046202