WHO Public Health and Environment Job 2026: INR 4.9 Million Annual Salary in India
The World Health Organization (WHO) is inviting applications for a National Professional Officer (Public Health and Environment) position in New Delhi, India. The full-time opportunity offers a two-year fixed-term appointment and an annual starting base salary of INR 4,926,329, alongside 30 days of annual leave and other staff benefits.
Published on 15 October 2026, this WHO vacancy is aimed at experienced environmental health professionals who can support government policies and programmes addressing water safety, sanitation, air pollution, climate change and environmental health risks.
Important: This is a nationally recruited position. Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply.
WHO Public Health and Environment Job 2026: Overview
- Organisation: World Health Organization (WHO)
- Position: National Professional Officer (Public Health and Environment)
- Vacancy number: 2603949
- Job grade: NO-C
- Location: New Delhi, India
- Contract type: Fixed-term appointment
- Contract duration: Two years
- Work schedule: Full-time
- Annual starting salary: INR 4,926,329
- Annual leave: 30 days
- Date published: 15 October 2026
- Application deadline: 29 October 2026, at 10:59 p.m. UTC
- About the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a United Nations specialised agency responsible for international public health. Through its India Country Office, WHO works with the Government of India and other partners to strengthen health policies, improve access to quality health services and address the environmental factors affecting public health.
The Public Health and Environment programme focuses on areas such as drinking water safety, sanitation, hygiene, air quality, occupational health, climate change and the safe management of chemicals and healthcare waste.
The successful candidate will contribute to these efforts by providing technical advice, supporting national strategies, strengthening institutional capacity and coordinating environmental health activities with government departments and development partners.
About the Position
The National Professional Officer will support the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of environmental health interventions in India.
Working under the guidance of the WHO Representative and the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will collaborate with technical teams, government ministries, national institutions, international partners and other stakeholders.
The position combines technical programme management, policy development, capacity-building, research coordination and inter-agency collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following activities:
1. Environmental Health Programme Management
- Provide technical support for planning, monitoring and evaluating environmental health interventions.
- Manage the Public Health and Environment workplan, including prioritisation, budgeting, implementation and progress monitoring.
- Support initiatives addressing drinking water safety, sanitation, hygiene, air pollution, climate change and healthcare waste management.
- Promote the sound management of chemicals and pesticides throughout their life cycles.
2. Policy Development and Government Support
- Support the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other government ministries in developing environmental health strategies.
- Provide evidence-based technical advice on water and sanitation, air quality and climate change.
- Advocate for drinking water safety policies and appropriate air quality monitoring and surveillance systems.
- Work with national authorities to strengthen environmental health policies and implementation capacity.
3. Capacity-Building and Institutional Development
- Support national programme managers in promoting safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Strengthen capacity for effective waste management in communities, healthcare facilities and workplaces.
- Help build institutional capacity in other priority environmental health areas.
4. Research, Data and Technical Reporting
- Promote research on water, sanitation, air quality and climate change.
- Collaborate with national authorities, WHO collaborating centres, centres of excellence and research institutions.
- Contribute to international monitoring and assessment initiatives, including the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme and the Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water.
- Collect, analyse and share relevant environmental health information and statistics.
- Prepare technical reports and disseminate research findings to relevant stakeholders.
5. Partnership and Inter-Agency Coordination
- Coordinate with WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Office and headquarters.
- Collaborate with other WHO technical teams and health programmes.
- Participate in inter-agency working groups and workshops.
- Liaise with government departments, bilateral partners, United Nations agencies, donors and development organisations.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the essential education, experience and language requirements specified in the official vacancy notice.
Educational Qualifications
Essential:
A university degree in environmental sciences, including relevant fields such as water and sanitation or environmental engineering, from a recognised university.
Desirable:
A postgraduate degree or training in public health or a related field.
Work Experience
Applicants must have at least five years of experience working in public health and environmental programmes at the national level.
Experience with WHO or other United Nations agencies is desirable, particularly in the following areas:
- Healthcare waste management.
- Sound management of chemicals.
- Climate change and health.
- Water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate expert knowledge of both:
- English.
- Hindi.
These are essential requirements for the position.
Required Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Strong technical and policy advisory skills based on evidence.
- Knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines relevant to environmental health.
- An understanding of India’s environmental health priorities and national context.
- Leadership and programme management abilities.
- Experience working effectively with government institutions and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong communication, presentation and technical report-writing skills.
- The ability to build and maintain relationships with national and international stakeholders.
- Experience in work planning, monitoring, evaluation and budget management.
- Proficiency in computer applications and the preparation of technical reports.
Applicants should also demonstrate alignment with WHO’s core values and competencies.
Salary and Benefits
The position offers a competitive remuneration package under WHO’s applicable employment framework.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual starting base salary | INR 4,926,329 |
| Contract duration | Two years |
| Annual leave | 30 days |
| Work arrangement | Full-time |
| Additional benefits | Parental leave and flexible work arrangements |
The annual base salary is subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, where applicable.
WHO also offers staff benefits and flexible work arrangements intended to support work-life balance and professional development. The precise benefits applicable to an appointment are governed by the organisation’s rules and employment conditions.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be suitable for experienced environmental health professionals, environmental scientists, environmental engineers and public health specialists with the required qualifications and national-level programme experience.
Professionals who have worked on environmental health policy, water and sanitation programmes, air quality management, climate change and health, or healthcare waste management may find the responsibilities particularly relevant.
However, meeting the professional requirements is not sufficient on its own. Applicants must be Indian nationals, possess expert knowledge of English and Hindi, and satisfy the essential educational and experience criteria.
Applicants from other countries will not be considered for this National Professional Officer position.
How to Apply for the WHO Public Health and Environment Job
Applications must be submitted through the official WHO careers portal.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official WHO vacancy announcement using the application link below.
- Review the complete job description and eligibility requirements.
- Confirm that you meet the nationality, education, experience and language requirements.
- Prepare your application and provide accurate information about your qualifications and relevant professional experience.
- Submit your application through the WHO recruitment system before the closing deadline.
Candidates retained for further consideration may be required to complete a written test or asynchronous video assessment. Applicants shortlisted for interviews must provide scanned copies of the required academic qualifications and certificates in advance.
Successful candidates will also need to satisfy the applicable WHO medical clearance and vaccination requirements.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Application deadline: 29 October 2026, at 10:59 p.m. UTC. Applicants should confirm the closing time displayed on the official WHO recruitment portal.
Final Thoughts
The WHO National Professional Officer (Public Health and Environment) position offers experienced professionals an opportunity to contribute to environmental health policy, programme implementation and public health protection in India.
With a two-year contract, an annual starting base salary of INR 4.9 million and 30 days of annual leave, the vacancy may appeal to qualified professionals seeking to advance their careers in international public health.
Before applying, candidates should carefully review the official vacancy announcement and confirm that they meet all mandatory requirements, particularly the Indian nationality restriction and the requirement for expert knowledge of both English and Hindi.
Explore more opportunities: Visit our website for additional international jobs, United Nations vacancies, public health careers, fellowships and professional development opportunities.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes. The World Health Organization is responsible for the recruitment process, eligibility decisions and final appointment.
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