JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Contractual Agreement:

Non-Staff – International PAHO Consultant

Job Posting:

September 4, 2025

Closing Date:

September 11, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HSS Health Systems and Services

Schedule:

Part time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Background
The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, support the transformation of national health systems to improve equity and resilience, strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC), and address the relevant issues related to human resources as health systems move towards the achievement of Universal Health. Its work encompasses the following areas: integrated services delivery, strengthening of health systems governance and stewardship; developing efficient and equitable financial mechanisms to ensure adequate public funding of the health system; human resources for health, life course; the Virtual Campus of Public Health, and Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health.

Unit Background

The Life Course Unit (HL) within the Health Services and Systems Department (HSS) supports the development and implementation of evidence-based multidimensional strategies to approach populations and individuals’ health needs, while considering demographic, epidemiologic and other transitions. Areas of focus include a Life Course Approach as a cross-cutting strategy, child health, adolescent health, ageing, sensory health, and oral health, and strengthening of multiagency and multisectoral alliances towards effective work in health and development for all at all ages, leaving no one behind.

The Regional Plan of Action for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health 2018 – 2030 (POA WCA)

In May 2016, Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) committed to the implementation of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health 2016-2030, through adoption of Resolution WHA69.2. In alignment with the Global Strategy, PAHO developed the integrated Plan of Action for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health (2018-2030), approved during the 56th Directing Council session in September 2018 (CD56/8, Rev. 1). The Plan of Action built on four separate regional plans for maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health, and proposed an integrated, life course approach to address the common challenges and barriers, to build health and well-being over time and across generations. The Plan of Action aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas 2018-2030 and resonates with the 2018 Astana Declaration.
The Plan of Action proposed impact targets for 2026 and 2030, and output and outcome targets related to the four Strategic Lines of Action (SLA) for 2022, 2026, and 2030. The first progress report was presented to the Member States in 2022. The report presented the results of a baseline assessment of and progress towards the 2022 SLA targets. The report drew from the following data sources: a) global and regional estimates from WHO and UNICEF; b) PAHO Basic Indicators; c) the 2018 WHO Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Policy survey; d) the Regional FPL PoA Survey, sent to Member States in English and Spanish in the last quarter of 2019 and completed by 24 Member States, e) relevant regional assessments, such as the regional school health assessment, and f) information from technical cooperation actions during the implementation period.

With approval from PAHO Executive Management, a second progress report will be presented to Member States in 2027, which will elaborate on progress towards the 2026 impact, outcome and output targets.

While the POA WCA is a regional strategy with implications across PAHO, leadership for its implementation is shared between HL and WH, the unit responsible for Women”s, Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health Unit (WH). These two units will coordinate the preparation of the progress report.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Dr. Sonja Caffe, Unit Chief, a.i., of Life Course (HSS/HL), and in close collaboration with Dr. Suzanne Serruya, Unit Chief of Women’s, Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health (HSS/WH), the consultant is expected to conduct the following tasks:

• Review the list of impact, outcome and output targets and the data sources for the 2022 progress report and identify reliable data sources for each indicator.
• Review and update data collection instruments used for the 2022 progress report, and design or adapt additional tools, as needed, to address the list of indicators.
• Develop a detailed implementation plan and timeline for data collection and report-writing that aligns with the PAHO calendar for development of Governing Bodies documents.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Specific products/deliverables expected

A progress report with a listing of the impact, outcome and output indicators and suggested data sources, identification of possible data collection challenges and proposed solutions for these challenges feedback. Due date: 30 October 2025. A final report with a detailed implementation plan with a proposed timeline and updated tools and instruments. Due date: 31 December 2025.

Installment schedule

Deliverable: Deliverable 1

Date: 30/10/2025

Pay: $2,500

Deliverable: Deliverable 2

Date: 31/12/2025

Pay: $3,500

Duration: 1 October to 31 December 2025 (3 months)

IPC Band: Band B

Time Type: Part time- 37% of FTE – 15 Hrs/week

Pay type: Installments per deliverable

Maximum contract amount: US$ 6,000

Professional experience:

Required: 1) At least 10 years of combined national and international experience in public health; 2) Knowledge and expertise in collection, interpretation and reporting on indicators. 3) Excellent writing skills.

Desired: 1) Experience with women’s, children’s and adolescent’ health programming and data collection.

Education:

Required: a bachelor’s degree in medicine, health, or social science.

Desired: a postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology, social science or any other field related to functions.

Languages:

Required: Fluent in written and spoken Spanish and English

Desired: Basic knowledge of Portuguese and French are a plus.

Qualifications:

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong motivation and organizational and management skills.
• Capable of being proactive when the situation requires.
• Advanced knowledge in the use of Word, Excel and other data analytical tools.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a diverse, team-oriented environment.
• Experience working in multicultural environments.
• Proven experience in public health
• Familiarity with PAHO/WHO guidelines and regional public health context
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with technical teams

Hiring is subject to the presentation of the following documentation:

• Certified Copy of Academic Diploma/ Certified Certificate(s)
• 3 Professional Letters of Reference including: full name of Reference, telephone number and address/email

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection for a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this consultancy. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile in the PAHO Career page is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are no accessible.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO/WHO Regulations, and e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
• PAHO/WHO is committed to providing a respectful and supportive workplace for all personnel .
• PAHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.
• PAHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.
• PAHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoings will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between PAHO and the Consultant.
• PAHO/WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by PAHO/WHO.

Level of Education: Master”s Degree (preferred for health positions)

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24 (health sector experience preferred)

Health Focus: PAHO works to improve health outcomes across the Americas