The World Health Organization (WHO) is inviting qualified professionals to submit expressions of interest to serve as members of its Technical Advisory Group on Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance for Public Health (WES TAG).
The expert group will provide independent scientific, technical and operational advice to WHO on the use of wastewater and environmental surveillance to strengthen public health decision-making. Applications are open to professionals with expertise across epidemiology, environmental microbiology, sanitation, wastewater systems, laboratory methods, data management, modelling, programme implementation, economics and ethics.
Deadline: 9 October 2026
About the WHO WES Technical Advisory Group
Wastewater and environmental surveillance involves analysing samples from sewage and other human-impacted environmental waters to generate population-level information that can support public health surveillance.
The field is developing rapidly and can complement other surveillance systems across a broad range of pathogens and public health priorities.
The WES TAG will advise WHO on the public health value and implementation of wastewater and environmental surveillance. Its work will also cover research priorities, methodologies, interpretation of findings, legal and ethical considerations, and integration of wastewater and environmental surveillance into wider public health surveillance systems.
The group will also consider the application of a One Health approach, recognising connections between human, animal and environmental health.
Areas of Expertise Sought
WHO welcomes expressions of interest from professionals with relevant expertise in areas including:
- Epidemiology
- Environmental microbiology
- Sanitation and wastewater systems
- Environmental and wastewater sampling
- Laboratory methods
- Data management
- Data analysis and modelling
- Public health programme implementation
- Economics
- Ethics
Experience working across different geographical regions, income levels and operational settings is particularly relevant.
Eligibility and Expert Profile
The opportunity is intended for professionals with demonstrated expertise relevant to wastewater and environmental surveillance and public health.
Applicants should be able to contribute independent scientific, technical or operational expertise to the work of the Technical Advisory Group.
Experience in multidisciplinary public health, environmental surveillance or related fields may be relevant, depending on the applicant’s area of expertise.
Selected members will participate in an individual expert capacity. They will not represent their employers, governments or other organisations.
Members must also be free from any real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest.
What Will Selected Experts Do?
Members of the WES TAG will provide independent advice to WHO on issues relating to wastewater and environmental surveillance.
The group’s work may include advising on:
- Scientific and technical approaches to wastewater and environmental surveillance
- Operational implementation
- Research priorities
- Sampling and laboratory methodologies
- Interpretation of surveillance results
- Legal and ethical considerations
- Integration with broader surveillance systems
- One Health applications
- Public health value and use of wastewater surveillance data
The advisory role provides experts with an opportunity to contribute specialist knowledge to international public health discussions and the development of approaches to environmental surveillance.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit three items:
- A short cover email explaining their motivation for applying and outlining their relevant expertise.
- A curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant professional experience, qualifications and expertise.
- A signed WHO Declaration of Interests form.
The Declaration of Interests form is available through WHO’s official ethics and declarations resources.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted by email.
Applicants should send their application to Aubrey Musngi-Anouar , with Joanna Esteves Mills copied into the email.
The subject line must be:
Expression of interest for the WES TAG
Applications must be received by midnight on 9 October 2026.
Applicants should ensure that their CV, cover email and signed Declaration of Interests form are complete before submission.
Why This Opportunity Is Valuable
Serving on a WHO Technical Advisory Group provides experts with an opportunity to contribute specialist knowledge to global public health work.
The WES TAG brings together expertise from multiple disciplines and geographical and operational settings to advise on an emerging area of public health surveillance.
Professionals working in wastewater surveillance, epidemiology, environmental microbiology, sanitation, laboratory science, data analysis, modelling, programme implementation, economics and ethics can contribute perspectives that may help strengthen the use of environmental surveillance for public health decision-making.
How to Strengthen Your Expression of Interest
Applicants should make their submission specific and evidence-based. Your cover email should clearly explain why you want to contribute to the WES TAG and what expertise you would bring to the group.
Your CV should highlight relevant technical experience rather than relying only on job titles. Where appropriate, demonstrate experience with wastewater or environmental surveillance, public health programmes, research, laboratory systems, data analysis, modelling, policy development or multidisciplinary collaboration.
Applicants should also carefully review the conflict-of-interest requirements and ensure that the Declaration of Interests form is completed and signed correctly.
Important Deadline
Application deadline: 9 October 2026 at midnight
WHO published the call for expressions of interest on 14 September 2026.
Interested experts are encouraged to prepare their documentation early and submit a complete application before the deadline.
Official Source and Application
For the full requirements, Declaration of Interests information, Call for Experts and Terms of Reference, applicants should consult the World Health Organization’s official website before submitting their expression of interest.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
Opportunity Summary
Opportunity: WHO Technical Advisory Group on Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance for Public Health
Organisation: World Health Organization (WHO)
Opportunity Type: Expert Advisory Group / Expression of Interest
Location: International / Multinational
Focus Areas: Wastewater surveillance, environmental surveillance, public health, epidemiology, microbiology, sanitation, laboratory science, data, modelling, economics and ethics
Deadline: 9 October 2026
Application Method: Email
Subject: Expression of interest for the WES TAG
