The World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergency Preparedness Department in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), is inviting qualified experts to express their interest in joining the External Review Group (ERG) for the review of documents developed under the their joint Emergency Ready Primary Health Care (ERPHC) approach which was developed to to position community-centred, emergency-ready PHC systems as a core component of all-hazards emergency preparedness and response, and enhance community and PHC capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emergencies while continuing to provide essential services.
ERPHC strengthens four integrated capacities: Connect – deepening community engagement and communication, Detect – improving surveillance at the community and facility levels, Protect – ensuring infection prevention and control, Treat – maintaining essential and emergency care services.
The ERPHC Framework aligns with global frameworks like the WHO Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Resilience (HEPR) framework, the International Health Regulations (IHR), PHC operational framework and Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF), supporting integrated, context-specific implementation that ensures systems work cohesively. These connections offer opportunities for overlapping investments that can drive progress across multiple global health agendas. A package of accompanying ERPHC Operational Tools has also been developed.
Purpose and tasks of the group
Ensuring that ERPHC guidance documents and tools are technically sound, operationally relevant, and aligned with global standards is central to this effort. The purpose of the ERPHC ERG is to provide independent, expert guidance and validation for the ERPHC Framework and Operational Tools. The ERG will ensure that the ERPHC Framework is contextually appropriate, technically sound, and aligned with global health emergency frameworks, including the WHO HEPR framework, the IHR, and the Operational Framework for PHC. The ERG will contribute to strengthening the role of PHC in health emergency readiness by ensuring the ERPHC Framework and Operational Tools are coherent, implementable, and responsive to the needs of frontline health systems and communities.
Specifically, the ERG will ensure:
- Technical quality & community-centred approach: Review the ERPHC Framework and tools for technical rigor, alignment with best practices and global standards, and integration of community-centred, inclusive approaches to emergency preparedness and response.
- Alignment with global frameworks: Verify coherence with key global initiatives, including the WHO HEPR framework, IHR, the 7-1-7 target for outbreak readiness, and PHC-oriented UHC strategies.
- Contextual Relevance: Evaluate the applicability, adaptability, and feasibility of the Framework across varied country contexts, including fragile and crisis-affected settings.
- Strengthen Implementation Feasibility: Examine the implementation model for clarity, scalability, sustainability, and its potential to improve frontline service delivery and emergency response performance.
The review process will involve an independent document review, the provision of written feedback, and participation in consultation meetings (virtual or face-to-face), as required. Members should be able to work collaboratively while maintaining impartiality and adhering to confidentiality and conflict-of-interest standards.
This is a non-remunerated position. ERG members will serve for an initial 3-month term, which is expected to run from 01 January to 31 March 2026.
How to apply?
Interested experts are invited to submit the online form, and send a brief curriculum vitae (maximum three pages) to the Secretariat at communities@who.int by 30 November 2025, 23:59 Geneva time (CET). Both the online form and a brief curriculum vitae are required to be considered.
Expressions of interest will be reviewed jointly by WHO and RTSL. Selected members will be notified directly and provided with further details on the scope of work and timelines.
For any clarification or further information, you may contact Dr. Kai von Harbou, Unit Head of Community Protection and Resilience (CPR), at vonharbouk@who.int and Dr. Rim Kwang Il, Technical Lead in the CPR unit, at rimk@who.int.