The Jigjiga One Health Initiative (JOHI) is a research-development project currently implemented in the Somali Regional State (SRS) in Ethiopia to create innovative integrated health systems for the improvement of health and wellbeing of pastoral communities. It is a 10-year (2015-2025) project co-funded by the Swiss agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and Jigjiga University (JJU). Prior to the beginning of the first phase of the project, an inception phase took place from January-June 2015. The project involves three main actors: Jigjiga University (JJU) for legal status, development of One Health research, capacity development and building of a diagnostic laboratory at the university; Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) for policy and research support as well as technical collaboration; and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute providing extensive technical expertise.