The World Health Organization is recruiting a Regional Emergency Director to lead emergency preparedness and response across the African Region. Based in Brazzaville, the senior D1 position will oversee epidemic preparedness, surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency operations, humanitarian response and coordination with countries and partners. Applications close on 18 July 2026.
When an outbreak begins, the first decisions can determine whether it is contained quickly or develops into a wider regional emergency. Countries need functioning surveillance systems, trained response teams, operational laboratories, reliable logistics and clear coordination mechanisms long before the first cases are confirmed.
To strengthen this work across Africa, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa — WHO AFRO is recruiting a Regional Emergency Director for its Emergency Preparedness and Response programme.
The position is based in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, and is offered as a full-time, fixed-term appointment for an initial period of 24 months. The selected candidate will provide technical and managerial leadership to support African countries in preventing, detecting and responding to epidemics, pandemics, humanitarian crises and other public health emergencies.
Leading emergency preparedness across Africa
The Regional Emergency Director will lead WHO AFRO’s work on health emergencies throughout the risk-management cycle.
The position covers preparedness before an emergency, rapid detection of outbreaks, risk assessment, operational response, recovery and the strengthening of national capacities under the International Health Regulations.
The successful candidate will advise the WHO Regional Director for Africa on policy, strategy and technical issues related to health security. The role will also support countries in assessing their risks and vulnerabilities and improving their readiness to manage emergencies.
Particular attention will be given to countries considered highly vulnerable to outbreaks and humanitarian crises. WHO country offices will receive guidance on preparedness planning, simulation exercises, surveillance, laboratory capacity and the development of core response systems.
Oversight of outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies
The Regional Emergency Director will have overall oversight of acute and protracted emergencies managed through WHO’s Incident Management System.
This includes supervising incident-management structures at country and regional levels, supporting the deployment of emergency personnel and coordinating surge capacity when national systems are overwhelmed.
The role also covers WHO’s response to infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies and prolonged crises.
Africa continues to face repeated outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola, Marburg virus disease, cholera, mpox, meningitis, measles and other emerging or re-emerging infections. Many of these threats require collaboration between public health authorities, veterinary services, laboratories, wildlife agencies and environmental institutions.
Although the vacancy requires a medical degree, its responsibilities intersect directly with veterinary epidemiology, zoonotic surveillance and the One Health approach. Information from animals and wildlife can provide early warning of emerging risks and strengthen assessments conducted by human-health authorities.
Main responsibilities
The Regional Emergency Director will lead the development and implementation of regional policies, strategies and plans covering:
- pandemic and emergency preparedness;
- health-emergency intelligence and surveillance;
- laboratory systems;
- operational support and logistics;
- epidemic response;
- humanitarian health interventions.
The successful candidate will also manage and develop staff, promote high professional and ethical standards and ensure that teams have the skills and resources required to perform effectively.
Other responsibilities include coordinating regional workplans, monitoring programme performance, overseeing the use of financial and human resources and ensuring the timely delivery of technical outputs and reports.
The Director will build partnerships with governments, United Nations agencies, regional institutions, donors, technical organizations and other emergency-response partners.
Resource mobilization will be another major part of the role. The position will help secure funding for preparedness, emergency intelligence, surveillance, laboratories, logistics and outbreak response across the African Region.
Supporting surveillance, laboratories and research
The vacancy places strong emphasis on evidence-based decision-making.
The Regional Emergency Director will monitor trends in epidemic preparedness, emergency intelligence, surveillance, laboratory capacity and humanitarian response. The role will identify research needs and encourage countries to strengthen their ability to generate and use scientific evidence.
The successful candidate will also document lessons from outbreaks and emergencies and promote the rapid exchange of information between WHO headquarters, other regions and country offices.
This work is particularly important for cross-border threats. Pathogens do not respect administrative boundaries, and delayed information-sharing can allow an outbreak to spread before coordinated control measures are implemented.
Qualifications required
Applicants must hold a medical degree and a postgraduate qualification in public health or a related field.
Specialized training or an additional degree in epidemiology, emergency response, humanitarian action, leadership or management will be considered an advantage.
Candidates must have at least 15 years of national and international experience in areas such as:
- health security;
- emergency preparedness and response;
- surveillance;
- infectious disease control;
- public health programme management.
At least three years must have been spent in a senior management position involving high-level advisory responsibilities and the management of human and financial resources.
Applicants must also demonstrate experience in policy and strategy development, the coordination of large-scale programmes or pandemic responses and collaboration with United Nations inter-agency emergency mechanisms.
Experience in both developing and developed countries is desirable. Professional exposure to governments, United Nations agencies, nongovernmental organizations or the private sector will be an advantage.
Languages and leadership competencies
Candidates must have expert knowledge of either English or French, combined with an intermediate command of the other language.
WHO is seeking a leader capable of working effectively in a multicultural environment and managing a large international health programme.
The main competencies include teamwork, communication, respect for cultural differences, results-based management and the ability to create an empowering and motivating working environment.
Strong writing, editing, analytical and decision-making skills are also required.
Salary and benefits
The position is classified at grade D1.
The annual base salary starts at USD 117,953, subject to deductions for pension contributions, health insurance and other applicable requirements.
A variable post adjustment is also provided. At the time of publication, it amounts to approximately USD 4,452 per month for the Brazzaville duty station.
Additional benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, home leave, allowances for eligible dependants and an education grant for dependent children.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through the official WHO Careers platform.
Candidates should search for:
Regional Emergency Director – Vacancy No. 2602504
Applicants are advised to ensure that their employment history, academic qualifications, language skills and supporting documents are complete and accurate.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. The selection process may include a written test, an asynchronous video assessment and an interview.
Applicants selected for interview may be required to provide copies of their degrees and professional certificates. Academic qualifications must come from institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database.
WHO does not charge any fee during the recruitment process.
Key information
Organization: World Health Organization
Position: Regional Emergency Director
Vacancy reference: 2602504
Grade: D1
Duty station: Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
Contract: Fixed-term appointment
Duration: 24 months
Schedule: Full-time
Required experience: At least 15 years
Closing date: 18 July 2026
Application: Online through WHO Careers
