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 – National PAHO Consultant

Job Posting:

October 10, 2025

Closing Date:

October 20, 2025, 11:59 PM Atlantic Standard Time

Primary Location:

Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Organization:

ECC Office of the Eastern Caribbean Countries

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

This requisition is for a consultancy at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Provide a short description of the objective of the office/department here.
• Provide a description of the purpose of the consultancy here.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Full Terms of Reference (TORs) is attached

Terms of Reference

NPC Consultant – Achieving universal health in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through strengthening Human Resources for Health Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, improving the quality of care and reducing the burden of cervical cancer

Background:

1. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (VCT) is advancing universal access to quality, people-centred health services while managing pressures common to small-island developing states, including dispersed geography, climate-related shocks, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and the dual burden of noncommunicable and communicable diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical dependencies across the health system—most notably the availability, distribution, competencies, and protection of the health workforce; the consistency of infection prevention and control practices; and the role of quality-oriented systems to sustainably deliver essential services during crises. Building on lessons learned, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MoHWE) seeks to strengthen human resources for health (HRH) and improve the quality of care as mutually reinforcing priorities that also underpin pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (P-PPR).

2. HRH challenges in the country reflect global trends but are accentuated by the local context: persistent shortages and inadequate distribution across islands and levels of care; skills-mix gaps in critical cadres (for example, infection prevention and control practitioners, surveillance officers, biomedical engineers, and specialised nurses); competition for talent and outward migration; uneven access to continuing professional development; and fragmented workforce data for planning and performance management. These gaps constrain the shift toward integrated, community-anchored models of care and limit surge capacity when emergencies arise. Strengthening HRH therefore requires coordinated policy, planning, and management—linking strategic workforce forecasting, competency development, decent work and safety, and mechanisms to retain and support health workers.

3. Quality of care is central to public confidence and better health outcomes. While many services demonstrate committed leadership and good practice, variability remains in the use of clinical standards, measurement and learning systems, risk management, and patient safety practices. A systematic quality approach grounded in the World Health Organization’s fundamentals of quality health care—including clear governance, up-to-date standards and guidelines, patient engagement, regular audit and feedback, and routine use of data—can help reduce unwarranted variation, improve efficiency, and ensure equity across facilities and islands. Embedding quality as a continuous, organisation-wide function is essential both in routine times and during health emergencies.

4. Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a critical bridge between HRH and quality agendas. Strengthened IPC programs—comprising dedicated staffing and leadership, fit-for-purpose policies and standard operating procedures, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment practices, environmental hygiene and waste management, water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH) standards, surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance, and regular training and competency assessment—protect patients and health workers, reduce avoidable harm, and preserve service continuity. Robust IPC capacity is also a foundational element of pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR), ensuring that surge operations do not compromise safety or quality.

5. P-PPR capacity must be woven into routine service delivery and HRH systems. This includes delineated roles and surge arrangements for the workforce, readiness of essential public health functions, interoperable information systems for rapid detection and response, and scenario-tested procedures that can be activated without compromising the continuity of essential services. Strengthened IPC and PPR together create a safer baseline of care, mitigate risk during outbreaks, and improve day-to-day clinical outcomes.

6. At the same time, advancing P-PPR requires an integrated, “whole-of-system” approach aligned with the International Health Regulations and national emergency frameworks. Core capabilities include a protected, trained, and sufficiently staffed workforce; functional public health surveillance and laboratory networks; emergency operations and rapid response capacity; resilient supply chains; risk communication; and routine simulation exercises. Crucially, these capabilities must be institutionalized within everyday service delivery so that the system can flex without failing.

7. Within this agenda, implementing and scaling an effective cervical cancer screening program is a high-impact priority. Cervical cancer is largely preventable through vaccination, screening with high-performance tests, timely diagnosis, and treatment of precancerous lesions. Success depends on a capable and coordinated workforce, standardised pathways of care from screening to diagnosis and treatment, quality-assured laboratories, reliable referral and follow-up systems, and person-centred communication that supports informed choice and adherence. Strengthening these components will accelerate progress toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem while reinforcing broader quality and primary health care goals

8. Against this backdrop, the Pan American Health Organization seeks to engage a consultant to support its technical cooperation to MoHWE towards accelerating practical, country-owned improvements at the intersection of HRH, quality, IPC, and P-PPR. The consultant will support translating global and regional guidance into context-appropriate policies, tools, and practices; strengthen stewardship, governance, leadership and management arrangements; build local capacities through mentoring and training; and support the use of data for decision-making and accountability.

 

Objectives of PAHO’s technical support to MoHWE related to this consultancy:

1. Align strategy and governance. Provide technical support to align human resources for health (HRH), quality of care, infection prevention and control (IPC), and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) with national priorities and PAHO/WHO guidance.

2. Strengthen HRH planning and management. Support evidence-based workforce planning, role delineation, competency frameworks, and retention strategies-using tools such as Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) and strengthening HRH information systems such that staffing meets service delivery needs across levels of care.

3. Institutionalise quality of care. Facilitate the development and assimilation of a national framework for improving quality of care.

4. Build robust IPC programs. Strengthen national and facility IPC programs aligned with regional/global frameworks including a focus on governance, guidelines, training, surveillance, multimodal strategies, monitoring, infrastructure/WASH, workload/supplies, integrating antimicrobial stewardship and continuous auditing for improvement.

5. Support the integration of P-PPR capacities into routine care. Enhance capabilities for prevention, early detection, and response to public health threats-grounded in the International Health Regulations (2005), Joint External Evaluation benchmarks, and the WHO Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management framework-while safeguarding continuity of essential services through surge and cross-coverage HRH arrangements.

6. Implement and scale cervical cancer screening. Support adoption of screening, screen-and-treat pathways, quality-assured laboratories, and reliable referral/follow-up systems, contributing to the WHO 90-70-90 targets and PAHO”s regional efforts toward elimination.

The scope of work outlined in the following section provides details towards achieving these objectives.

Consultant’s Scope of Work:

Within the context of the six objectives outlined above, the consultant will deliver technical support as outlined below. The consultant will work collaboratively with counterparts from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MoHWE) and other actors/stakeholders, applying relevant PAHO/WHO frameworks and tools.

1. Conduct an alignment review of current national policies, strategies and plans (HRH, quality, IPC, cancer control, emergency preparedness) against PAHO/WHO guidance (e.g., PHC Operational Framework, Essential Public Health Functions, Integrated Health Service Delivery Networks, WHO HRH Strategy 2030).

2. Specific to strengthening HRH:

a. Support strengthening of HRH governance, leadership and management.

b. Plan and oversee a WISN application in select priority programs (e.g., IPC, cervical screening/PHC), including workload data collection tools, sampling plan, and analysis.

c. Map HRH information flows; recommend minimal data set for HRHIS, and assimilation of HRHIS in decision-making.

d. Develop HRH density standards that safeguard patient referral and critical care, oxygen systems and continuity of essential services based on the IHR (2005) and Joint External Evaluation.

e. Support defining surge staffing needs for patient referral and critical care, oxygen systems and continuity of essential services, integrating IPC, based on health scenarios planning.

f. Support development of proposed staffing norms, skill-mix options, and role delineation.

3. Specific to improving quality of care:

a. Support development and implementation of a national quality framework, including the establishment/strengthening of facility quality improvement (QI) teams.

4. Specific to infection prevention and control:

a. Support the update/development of facility IPC manuals/SOPs (standard and transmission-based precautions, hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, safe injection, waste management), integrating antimicrobial stewardship basics.

b. Strengthen HAI/IPC surveillance procedures consistent with national capacity.

5. Specific to the cervical cancer elimination program:

a. Attend regular communication and coordination meetings between the Ministry of Health, PAHO, and other stakeholders.

b. Support the development of national implementation plans and timelines for HPV screening rollout.

c. Support adaptation for collecting and reporting data on HPV vaccine, HPV screening coverage, treatment uptake, and program performance.

d. Support the Ministry in monitoring implementation progress, identifying barriers, and proposing solutions.

e. Contribute to the preparation of progress reports for the Ministry of Health, PAHO, and donors.

Additionally, the consultant shall:

1. Develop work plans, reports and policy briefs during the life course of the project as directed by the project manager.

2. Plan for, coordinate, or support as directed by the project manager and participate in virtual and in-country meetings/discussions/workshops, during the life course of the project. This shall include, but not be limited to:

a. Development of concept notes and meeting agendas.

b. Supporting the administrative procedures required.

c. Travel as required in furtherance of the objectives and scope of work outlined in the table above.

3. Collaborate with other PAHO colleagues, as well as relevant OECS and country level counterparts as required.

4. Other related responsibilities as directed by the project manager.

Timeframe:

1 year from October 2025 or the commencement of date, with possibility for extension.Qualification/Experience and Attributes:

Technical Advisors based at the PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, at PAHO Headquarters.

Education:
• Minimum postgraduate university degree in public health, social sciences, or related fields.
• Complimentary training in infection prevention and control, human resources for health, communicable diseases and continuous quality improvement will be an asset.
Experience:
• 3-4 years of relevant experience in infection prevention and control, human resources for health, communicable diseases and continuous quality improvement.
• Experience working with small island states of the eastern Caribbean, especially in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is desirable.
Skills/ Technical knowledge:
• Knowledge of PAHO/WHO frameworks related to infection prevention and control, human resources for health, universal health and cervical cancer elimination.
• Familiarity with relevant software tools or systems.
Language:
• Expert knowledge in written and spoken English.
• Report writing skills in English.
Other Attributes:
• Communication Skills: Ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely.
• Integrity and ethics: Commitment to honesty, trustworthiness, and confidentiality.
• Empathy: Understand and consider the feelings and perspectives of others.
• Attention to detail: Consistently produce accurate and high-quality work.
• Critical thinking: Evaluate situations and make reasoned decisions.
• Resilience: Handle setbacks and pressures effectively, maintaining productivity.
• Active listening: Be attentive to and understand the needs and concerns of stakeholders.
• Conflict resolution: Effectively mediate disputes and finds mutually beneficial solutions.
• Team player: Capable of collaborating effectively with colleagues.
• Adaptability: Willingness and ability to adjust to changing environments and priorities.
• Problem-solving skills: Aptitude for analyzing issues and developing solutions.
• Time management: Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time efficiently.
• Leadership potential: Demonstrate initiative and the ability to take on leadership of teams.
• Relationship building: Establish and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.

Diversity appreciation: Respect and understand the value of different cultural backgrounds and perspectives.
• Inclusive behavior: Foster an environment where all stakeholders feel valued and included.
• Service Orientation: Prioritise the needs and satisfaction of external stakeholders.
• Internal Client Focus: Understand the importance of supporting internal teams to achieve broader organizational goals.
• Awareness of stakeholder interests: Understand and manage the varying interests and priorities of different stakeholders and build consensus.
• Understand and apply PAHO vision and goals: Align stakeholder interactions with the broader objectives of PAHO.
Note: The consultant must provide his/her own computer for the full duration of the consultancy and must have access to email, telephone and video conferencing communication tools.

Compensation:
The Consultant will be contracted using the guidelines for the recruitment of PAHO International Consultants contained in the PAHO/WHO Contractual Mechanism, revision 8, September 2017. Compensation will be based on days worked.
• Pay band A (Mid: USD$4572) – Daily rate of pay – USD$228.60.
• Remuneration will be by deliverables as outlined:

Deliverable

• Inception report with a detailed work plan and timeline within the first month of assignment
• WISN study protocol & tools — Program selection, sampling plan, data tools, training for data collectors. Field-ready pack approved.
• HRH governance package — ToRs and schedule for HRH leadership/TWG; management strengthening plan. Endorsed by HRH lead.
• 1st Progress report summarising activities, achievements, and challenges related to the implementation of the cervical cancer elimination program
• HRHIS minimum dataset & use SOPs — Data dictionary, flow map, dashboard mock-ups etc.
• HRH density & surge framework — Density standards and surge staffing model for referral, critical care, oxygen, continuity of services (IHR/JEE-aligned)
• National Quality Framework & QI start-up — Draft NQF/NQPS roadmap; facility QI teams launched; PDSA toolkit. MoHWE consultation record + 2 facilities initiating QI
• PC program package — Updated IPC manuals/SOPs (standard & transmission-based precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning, injection safety, waste, AMS basics) + audit plan
• 2nd Progress report summarising activities, achievements, and challenges related to the implementation of the cervical cancer elimination program
• Final WISN study report
• Final framework detailing national HRHIS
• Final assimilation report on achievements and value added

Location:

The majority of work during the consultancy is expected to be conducted in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Travel will be as required and based on instruction of the Project Manager.

Project Manager:

All scope of work and deliverables are to be conducted under the lead of the Project Manager, Dr. Vishwanath Andy Partapsingh, Advisor, Health Systems and Services, PAHO/WHO Office of Barbados, and the Eastern Caribbean Countries. Additionally, the scope of work specific to the cervical cancer elimination program is to be conducted under the guidance of Dr. Taraleen Malcom, Advisor Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.

Reporting requirements:

The Consultant will communicate with the Project Officer for the consultancy on the progress and outline any challenges that can potentially affect achieving the objectives and scope of work. Specific to the scope of work related to the cervical cancer elimination program, the Consultant will communicate progress and outline any challenges to Dr. Taraleen Malcom, Advisor Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.

Invoices and Submission of Deliverables:

All deliverables are to be submitted to the Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment and the Project Manager to facilitate payment of fees. Deliverables specific to the scope of work related to the cervical cancer elimination program, are to be submitted to Dr. Taraleen Malcom, Advisor Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health for approval prior to sign off by the Project Manager for payment. Submissions must indicate work executed during the invoice period and details of key considerations influencing (facilitating and limiting) progress with achieving the deliverables and objectives.

• All deliverables should be supplied on digital media containing the text, tables and all appendices done in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Standards, written policies, and procedures are to be well documented and filed for future reference.

Ownership:

All products and materials resulting from this contract are the property of PAHO/WHO and are subject to the rules and regulations governing copyrights. The Consultant may not make use of information gathered during this project without the written consent of PAHO/WHO.

Travel:

In the event the Consultant is required to travel during the period of the consultancy as is customary for official travel undertaken on behalf of the Organization, the Consultant must complete a Spend Authorization prior to each travel segment and a corresponding expense report, after each travel segment has been completed. Per organization rules, expense reports must be submitted within 15 days after each duty travel. Cost for travel under the consultancy will be provided by the PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Countries.

Travel Per diem:

Consultants who are required to perform all or part of the work at a location other than their designated base duty station or their place of residence shall receive, in addition to CSA where applicable, the DSA rate for that location, i.e., per diem as per PAHO standard rates (which are subject to change by the ICSC and PAHO’s per diem policies. The payment of full per diem is conditional on the presentation of hotel or lodging invoices along with an expense report for all applicable nights. A maximum of full per diem rates are applicable for the first 60 days of continuous stay at any one place, after which it will be reduced to the “after 60-day” rate established by the ICSC for the duty station.

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