General
Description of assignment title
Integrated Service Delivery Officer
Assignment country
Somalia
Duty stations
Mogadiscio
Work location
On UN premises
Expected start date
12/01/2026
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Sustainable Development Goal
- Good health and well-being
Host entity
WHO
Modality
Onsite
Type
International
Volunteer category
Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Details
Mission and objectives
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
Working with 194 Member States, across six regions, and from more than 150 offices, WHO staff are united in a shared commitment to achieve better health for everyone, everywhere. Together they strive to combat diseases – communicable diseases like influenza and HIV, and noncommunicable diseases like cancer and heart disease. They help mothers and children survive and thrive so they can look forward to a healthy old age. We ensure the safety of the air people breathe.
Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Somalia operates in a highly dynamic and complex humanitarian environment. In alignment with the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy and the Federal Government of Somalia’s National Transformation Plan and its health sector equivalents, WHO supports the scaling up of the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS). The incumbent will provide technical guidance and policy support to operationalization of the EPHS through a primary health care approach, integrating essential services across the continuum of care, and all age cohorts. The incumbent will work under oversight of the WHO representative to ensure cross cutting support to all clusters, and under technical guidance of the UHC coordinator.
Task description
Under the strategic guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO ) Representative to Somalia and the direct supervision of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC ) team lead, the UNV Specialist will perform the following duties:
- Support the design of innovative technologies for the joint delivery of the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS ) through national standard treatment guidelines, essential medicines list, and other international standards.
- Facilitate the elaboration of licensure/accreditation, supportive supervision, and other tools for the operationalization of the EPHS.
- Guide the development of a capacity-building program for managers in planning, organization, management, and monitoring of integrated essential services.
- Support supervision and monitoring of EPHS implementation.
- Develop knowledge products relating to EPHS implementation.
- Set up and support an EPHS community of practice for Somalia
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 - 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Arabic, Level: Basic, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor's degree in Medicine (or. Equivalent) from an accredited, recognized institution.
Desirable: Master’s degree in public health (MPH), Health Policy, or Health Systems Management
Competencies and values
WHO Global Competencies: 1) Teamwork; 2) Respecting and Promoting Individual and Cultural Differences; 3) Communication; 4) Producing Results; 5) Moving Forward in a Changing Environment.
UNV Values: Inclusion, integrity, and volunteerism as tools to foster community-level resilience and sustainable local capacity.
Skills and experience
- At least 3 to 5 years of progressive professional experience managing or supporting integrated health service delivery, health system strengthening, or RMNCAH/nutrition portfolios particularly in a developing or crisis-affected country.
- Desirable: Direct prior experience collaborating with UN entities, or prominent international NGOs.
- Thorough knowledge of EPHS development, and implementation.
- Proficiency in digital health tools, data visualization packages, and health information software.
Area(s) of expertise
Nutrition, Public health, immunisation, Emergency preparedness, crisis response
Driving license
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
Somalia is a non-family duty station with a complex but rewarding humanitarian environment. Security conditions vary across locations and require strict adherence to UN security measures and movement protocols. The country has a tropical climate, with rainy seasons from April to June and October to December. International access is available through Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe, and Baidoa airports, served by commercial and UN flights. Paid accommodation is available in secure UN-approved compounds and hotels, generally providing meals, laundry, internet, and basic recreational facilities. Food, bottled water, telecommunications, and banking services are available in major duty stations, while medical support is provided through UN and private medical facilities. The US Dollar is widely accepted. Somalia is a predominantly Muslim and culturally conservative country. Respect for local customs, modest dress, and sensitivity to cultural norms are expected. Somalia is a unique country and a distinctive humanitarian operation. It offers a professionally enriching experience while requiring cultural awareness, resilience, flexibility, and a willingness to work in challenging and sometimes hazardous conditions. Adaptability and commitment are essential for a successful assignment.
You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.


