Call for Volunteers: High-Level International Events

Ethiopia is proud to host a series of high-level international events over the coming months and years. The most prominent among these are:

• International Conference of Public Health in Africa (CPHIA)
  Venue: Medemer Artificial Intelligence University
  Date: November 23–27, 2026
• The Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly
  Venue: African Union Headquarters
  Date: February 8–15, 2027
• The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32)
  Venue: Medemer Artificial Intelligence University
  Date: November 2027 (lasting up to six weeks)

As the world's largest climate summit, COP32 brings nations together to advance global climate action. Hosted in Ethiopia, this landmark event will place a special emphasis on health preparedness as a vital component to protect delegates and participants.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health (MoH-E), the health sector will deliver comprehensive services through four key pillars:

• Pre-Hospital Services
• Clinical and Medical Services
• Public Health
• Food Safety, Hygiene, Sanitation & Environmental Health

Volunteers play a crucial role in the successful delivery of these services.

All applicants will undergo a screening and selection process. The overall management of the volunteers will be undertaken by the Human Resources for Health Development and Improvement Lead Executive Office under the Ministry of Health.

The management will comply with international standards and Ethiopia's Voluntary Services Implementation Guideline (2021), ensuring the highest standards of accountability and coordination.

Roles and Responsibilities

Multi-Event Engagement

Recruited volunteers will serve across all three major events.

The health sector will utilize each successive event—starting with CPHIA 2026—as a critical opportunity to train, test, and refine volunteer capabilities, ensuring peak readiness by COP32.

Note: Multi-event engagement is MANDATORY. Participation in the second and third events depends on successfully completing the first event.

• CPHIA + AU: Approximately 2–3 weeks of service.
• COP32: Approximately 3–4 weeks of service, with a potential extension to 6 weeks as COP32 negotiations might extend.

Prior to each event, participants will undergo a series of consecutive trainings, with each module taking approximately one week to complete.

Key Deployment Sites & Duties

Health volunteers will be strategically deployed across critical locations to ensure a coordinated and effective health response.

Points of Entry (Addis Ababa Bole International Airport)

• Support health surveillance of arriving delegates and visitors.
• Assist medical teams in managing emergencies.

Accommodation Sites (Designated Hotels)

• Provide basic medical response services.
• Conduct health surveillance.
• Ensure compliance with safety and hygiene protocols.

Tourism & Visit Sites

• Work alongside ambulance teams stationed at major destinations.
• Deliver on-site medical response.
• Coordinate seamlessly with nearby health facilities.

Ambulance & Pre-Hospital Services

• Assist paramedics in emergency care and patient transport.
• Ensure rapid response to health incidents.

Other Designated Sites

• Volunteers may be deployed to additional locations based on operational needs and emerging priorities as determined by the Ministry of Health.
• Flexibility and readiness to serve in diverse environments are required.

Eligibility Requirements

Citizenship & Age

• Must be an Ethiopian national.
• Must be between 18 and 35 years of age.

Education

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields or a closely related discipline:

• Health Sciences
• Emergency Medicine
• Nursing
• Public Health
• Emergency and Critical Care Nursing (EMCCN)
• Cardiology
• Anesthesiology
• General Medicine
• Other related health disciplines

The following applicants are also eligible to apply:

• Final-year students in Medicine, Nursing, and Health Officer programs
• General Practitioners
• Specialist Residents
• Specialists
• Subspecialists

Professionals in Environmental Health, Food Science, and Nutrition are strongly encouraged to apply.

Service Experience

• No prior work experience is required.

Language Skills

• Proficiency in English is mandatory.
• Proficiency in additional United Nations official languages is considered an advantage.

Commitment

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A willingness to serve on a voluntary basis without financial incentives.
• Availability throughout the preparation phase, event operations, and post-COP32 sustainability activities.

Conduct

Applicants must maintain:

• Good professional standing and discipline.
• A commitment to the values of professionalism, inclusivity, integrity, and ethical conduct throughout the volunteer program.

Competency Requirements

Clinical & First Aid Skills

Applicants with certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), Buddy First Aid, or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training will be given preference.

Operational Readiness

Applicants should be able to:

• Perform effectively in high-pressure environments.
• Follow the Incident Command System (ICS).
• Adhere to established medical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Communication Skills

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Effective patient-provider communication.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Strong counselling and interpersonal skills.

Adaptability

Applicants should possess:

• Resilience and emotional intelligence.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Conflict de-escalation abilities.
• Flexibility to work in diverse operational settings, including the Blue Zone, Green Zone, airports, and city corridors.

Experience in Mass Gathering Events

Previous experience in emergency management, disaster response, regulatory services, or large-scale public health events will be considered an advantage.