The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking experts to serve as members of the Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory Subgroup (OTS). This call for nominations provides information about the OTS, the expert profiles being sought, the process for expressing interest and the selection process.
Background
Onchocerciasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases targeted for elimination of transmission in the WHO road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030. As countries progress towards elimination, programmes face increasingly complex technical and operational questions related to mapping, treatment strategies, monitoring and evaluation, surveillance, and decisions on when mass drug administration (MDA) can safely be stopped.
The WHO Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory Subgroup (OTS) was established in 2017 to provide independent expert technical advice on matters relevant to the elimination of onchocerciasis. The OTS advises WHO’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD) through its Working Group on Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (WG-MER).
The OTS reviews emerging scientific evidence, identifies research and operational gaps, develops expert consensus where evidence is insufficient, and provides recommendations on strategies and approaches to accelerate progress towards onchocerciasis elimination.
Functions of the OTS
In its advisory role, the OTS has the following functions:
- Review current and evolving scientific evidence relevant to the elimination of onchocerciasis and make recommendations for consideration by the STAG-NTD WG-MER and/or WHO guideline and policy development groups.
- Identify gaps in the available evidence and recommend research priorities relevant to onchocerciasis elimination.
- Provide expert consensus where evidence is insufficient to make recommendations, enabling programmes to move forward with common strategies or operational research to generate the required evidence.
- Provide recommendations on the integration and coordination of onchocerciasis monitoring and evaluation activities with those for lymphatic filariasis, other preventive chemotherapy diseases and loiasis.
Operations and membership
The OTS comprises up to 10 members, who serve in their personal capacities and are selected to ensure an appropriate balance of technical expertise, geographical representation and gender.
Members are appointed for a period of two years and may be eligible for reappointment for one additional term.
The OTS normally meets one to two times per year, with additional teleconferences or virtual meetings convened as required. Membership is non-remunerated, and experts serve on a voluntary basis.
Who can express interest?
WHO welcomes expressions of interest from experts with demonstrated knowledge and experience relevant to onchocerciasis elimination.
Relevant areas of expertise may include:
- epidemiology and public health related to onchocerciasis;
- national onchocerciasis programme implementation and programme management;
- mapping and assessment of onchocerciasis transmission;
- monitoring and evaluation, including stop-MDA assessments and post-treatment and post-elimination surveillance;
- entomology and vector surveillance;
- treatment strategies and approaches for accelerating interruption of transmission;
- onchocerciasis and loiasis co-endemicity and approaches for safe treatment;
- operational research and implementation science;
- mathematical and epidemiological modelling relevant to programme decision-making; and
- integration and coordination of onchocerciasis activities with lymphatic filariasis and other relevant disease programmes.
Applicants should be able to review scientific and programmatic evidence critically, contribute constructively to multidisciplinary technical discussions and formulate recommendations relevant to onchocerciasis elimination.
WHO particularly encourages applications reflecting a diversity of technical perspectives, geographical regions and gender.
Submitting your expression of interest
To express interest in being considered for membership of the OTS, candidates should submit the following documents by 19 November 2026 to neglected.diseases@who.int, using “OTS” in the subject line:
- a motivation letter explaining the applicant’s interest in serving on the OTS, relevant expertise and experience, and confirming willingness and availability to serve; and
- a curriculum vitae or résumé.
After submission, expressions of interest will be reviewed by WHO. Selected applicants will be notified after 15 January 2027.
Important information about the selection process and conditions of appointment
OTS members serve in their individual expert capacity and do not represent governments, employers, institutions or other organizations in their work as members of the subgroup.
Members must respect the impartiality and independence required of WHO and must be free of any real, potential or apparent conflict of interest. Proposed members will be required to complete a WHO Declaration of Interests as part of the appointment process. They will also be required to comply with applicable WHO confidentiality requirements.
Selection will take into account relevant technical expertise and experience, as well as the need to achieve an appropriate balance of expertise, geographical representation and gender within the OTS.
WHO reserves the right to select members at its discretion in accordance with the needs and composition of the subgroup.
For further information, please consult the Terms of Reference for the Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory Subgroup (OTS) or contact neglected.diseases@who.int.