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:

October 24, 2025

Closing Date:

November 1, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HSS Health Systems and Services

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Position title: PAHO Consultant – “Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas”

Background
The primary objective off 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, healthy life course; the Virtual Campus of Public Health, and Women’s, Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Dr. James Fitzgerald, Director, HSS, in coordination with Dr. Ernesto Bascolo, Unit Chief HSS/PH, the consultant is expected to provide overall technical, strategic and managerial support to the Secretariat of the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas with the following responsibilities which include:

a. Support regional and country-level strategizing, planning, and management of the Alliance Secretariat’s program of work. This includes conceptualization and organization of the Alliance’s strategy for the incorporation of countries, initiatives and planning of partner meetings; establishment of a network of collaborators among partner institutions; and development of processes aligned with country needs and priorities to ensure effective strategic and managerial engagement the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (at regional and country levels) with countries through formal coordination mechanisms, with PAHO Country Offices (PWRs, HSS focal points, technical counterparts), Ministries of Health, PAHO Technical Departments, PAHO Executive Offices, and other partner organizations, also managing the alignment of initiatives with similar objectives.

b. Guide and manage the processes to expand the Alliance of PHC to additional countries. This includes:

• Facilitating policy and technical dialogue and sharing of experiences with PAHO Country Offices, Ministries of Health, and regional/country representatives of the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank towards Allaince participation.

• Reviewing of current and prospective lending portfolios and technical assistance work of the IDB and World Bank.

• Analysis of political context and country capacities to assess readiness to join the Alliance.

• Drafting the Acta de la Mesa Consultiva formalizing country-level collaboration, coordinating required legal reviews, and organizing high-level signing ceremonies with Ministries of Health and the banks.

• Consolidating an Alliance working technical agenda with finance (national budgets offices) representatives within the Mesas Consultivas, towards establishing a strategic collaboration between health and finance at the country level.

• Organizing strategy sessions with PAHO country PWRs and HSS focal points in countries with Mesas Consultivas.

c. Support in strengthening PAHO Country Office engagement with Alliance members, and in enhancing the Ministry of Health’s leadership role in guiding the Alliance’s Mesas Consultivas.

d. Support engagement with potential new member countries, including:

• Providing introductory briefings to prospective countries via PAHO Country Offices on Alliance modalities, processes, and opportunities for participation.

• Identifying entry points during election cycles and government transitions, maintaining an active Alliance engagement with countries.

• Identifying the Alliance’s role in addressing challenges in the implementation of WB and IDB’s investment plans.

e. Ensure the effective functioning of the Alliance’s Mesas Consultivas by:

• Guiding the strategic functioning of the Mesas Consultivas and the development and implementation of a standardized Guía de Funcionamiento of the Mesas Consultivas, supporting the preparation of agendas of meetings, and ensuring they are held on a regular basis and have records and follow-up.

• Guiding the development and implementation of the Alliance’s priority areas around national priorities, supporting the drafting of a work plan and complementarity matrixes, and the establishment of technical thematic groups reporting to the Mesa.

• Positioning the technical/strategic work of HSS in the Mesas Consultivas technical and strategy dialogue.

• Providing guidance to Country Office and Ministry focal points, sharing best practices, organizing technical orientation sessions and workshops as needed.

• Developing and instituting a standardized reporting mechanism for monitoring progress.

f. Prepare and coordinate Alliance regional meetings, including quarterly partner planning meetings, ad hoc meetings, high-level strategy meetings, and Regional Alliance meetings. Responsibilities will also include facilitating discussions with PAHO and bank staff on lending portfolios and pipelines; drafting remarks, concept notes and talking points for PAHO’s executive and senior leadership, positioning the Alliance in PAHO’s corporate programs and initiatives and elsewhere; and supporting joint regional engagement strategies.

g. Track progress across the Alliance’s three principal areas of action:

• Country action: Support prioritized country proposals, under the Ministry’s leadership, linked to investment planning. Collaborate with PAHO Country Offices and World Bank/IDB Task Team Leaders in planning and monitoring, reviewing national health plans and bank strategies, and providing intelligence on country engagement.

• Regional technical public goods: Contribute to the identification and systematization of policy briefs, technical consensus on key areas relevant to the Alliance’s objectives, and context-specific consensus on strategic areas that strengthen investment planning in PHC-based health systems, leverage innovations, and accelerate PHC transformation.

• Strategic dialogue: Develop the 2026-2027 agenda for strategic engagement of the Alliance (bilateral meetings, side events, Governing Body meetings, WB/IMF Spring and Fall meetings, etc.). Support a working health-finance (national budget offices) sector engagement in selected countries and facilitate the Alliance’s positioning during PAHO leadership country visits and participation in global and regional events.

h. Lead Alliance communications, including drafting and reviewing joint statements, communiqués, and press releases for major regional and global announcements, as well as materials for intergovernmental and partner organization meetings.

i. Support HSS Department positioning by:

• Analyzing and proposing strategic approaches for PAHO’s engagement in regional and global health platforms.

• Positioning the work of HSS within the Alliance and other policy and strategy platforms.

• Collaborating in the HSS Department effective participation in Governing Body meetings, Advisory Groups, Regional Strategic Networks, Task Forces and strategic initiatives related to PHC, maternal mortality reduction and human resources for health.

• Drafting concept notes, agendas, and resource mobilization plans for strategic initiatives related to PHC, human resources for health and maternal mortality reduction, and contribute to drafting the Alliance participation in the Department corporate planning and with partner organizations’ partnerships.

Specific products/ Deliverables expected

*Product payment with Certifying manager approvals is only issued once Mandatory Courses have been completed in PMIS system.

Deliverable Description 1

Activity 1: Second Regional Alliance of Primary Health Care Meeting

Product 1: Prepare concept note, agenda, background documents and planning document.

31-Jan-26

$6,500.00

 

Deliverable Description2

Activity 2: Annual Alliance for PHC workplan and implementation strategy 2026

Product 2: Workplan and implementation strategy document

25-Feb-26

$6,200.00

 

Deliverable Description3

Activity 3: Alliance Regional Technical Public Goods for 2026

Activity 3: Develop Alliance’s strategic list of Regional Technical Public Goods that advance its objectives

15-Mar-26

$2,800.00

 

Deliverable Description4

Activity 4: Acta for the Mesa Consultiva PHC in Bolivia

Product 4: Development of Acta and management of legal review, and development of high-level agenda and relevant documentation to formalize the Alliance for PHC in Bolivia

31-Mar-26

$3,700.00

PAYMENT 1:Product 1 – 4:

31-Mar-26- Total $19,200.00

 

Deliverable Description5

Activity 5: Finance sector (national budget offices) regular participation in the Alliance’s Mesas Consultivas of 3 countries.

Product 5: Process developed to support dialogue that incorporates finance (national budget offices) in the Mesas Consultivas in three Alliance countries.

30-Apr-26

$6,600.00

 

Deliverable Description6

Activity 6: Alliance Partners Meeting

Product 6: Preparation of agenda, background material, discussion of agreements and follow-up

30-Apr-26

$3,200.00

Deliverable Description7

Activity 7: Alliance Participation at the 13-19 IMF/WB Spring meeting

Product 7: Development of agenda and program for the WB/IMF Spring

30-May-26

$1,500.00

Deliverable Description8

Activity 8: Acta for the Mesa Consultiva PHC in a country

Product 8: Development of Acta and management of legal review, and development of high-level agenda and relevant documentation to formalize the Alliance in the country

30-May-26

$3,700.00

 

PAYMENT 2 Product 5-8

31-May-26 – Total $15,000.00

Deliverable Description9

Activity 9: Standardized Progress Report on the Alliance of Primary Health Care

Product 9: Development of the Alliance’s Standardized Progress Report to document functioning and progress of the Mesas Consultivas, with the development of a process to incorporate in countries with Mesas Consultivas.

30-Jun-26

$6,800.00

 

Deliverable Description10

Activity 10: Alliance Partners Meeting

Product 10: Preparation of agenda, background material, discussion of agreements and follow-up

25-Jul-26

$3,200.00

 

Deliverable Description11

Activity 11: Annual strategy meeting with PWRs in countries with Mesas Consultivas

Product 11: Development of concept note, agenda, and process for discussion

30-Aug-26

$3,800.00

 

PAYMENT 3- Product 9-11

31-Aug-26- Total $13,800.00

Deliverable Description12

Activity 12: Alliance strategic participation at Governing Body meetings

Product 12: Development of agenda for bilateral Alliance meetings with health authorities and proposal preparation for a high-level side event on health and finance sectors at the Directing Council, or at a leading think tank during the DC.

30-Sep-26

$6,600.00

 

Deliverable Description13

Activity 13: Acta for the Mesa Consultiva PHC in a country

Product 13: Development of Acta and management of legal review, and development of high-level agenda and relevant documentation to formalize the Alliance for in the country

15-Oct-26

$3,700.00

 

Deliverable Description14

Activity 14: Annual strategy meeting of HSS Focal Points in countries with Mesas Consultivas

Product 14: Development of concept note, agenda, and process for discussion

30-Oct-26

$4,500.00

 

PAYMENT 4- Product 12-14

31-Oct-26- Total $14,800.00

Deliverable Description15

Activity 15: Alliance Partners Meeting

Product 15: Preparation of agenda, background material, discussion of agreements and follow-up

24-Nov-26

$3,200.00

 

Deliverable Description16

Activity 16: Alliance for PHC website

Product 16: Improve Alliance website as repository of Alliance’s three areas of work- country action, regional technical public goods and strategic dialogue

15-Dec-26

$3,500.00

 

Deliverable Description17

Activity 17: Analysis of the WB and IDB lending in Alliance principal areas of work

Product 17: Prepare analysis of the WB and IDB lending trends in Alliance’s principal areas of work

21-Dec-26

$2,500.00

PAYMENT 5-Product 15-17

31-Dec-26- Total$9,200.00

Contract Duration: 01 January 2026- 31 December 2026

*Possibility of extension based on Funding

 

IPC Band: Band B

Time Type: Full Time- 100% of FTE – 40 Hrs/week

Pay Type: Installments per deliverable

 

Maximum Contract Amount: USD $ 72,000.00

 

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in strategic institutional positioning in health, and in liaising with country authorities across Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as with senior-level staff within international organizations and/or international financing institutions.
• Demonstrated experience in guiding and managing strategic initiatives on Primary Health Care and other health related topics at technical and strategic level.
• Proven ability to coordinate effectively across institutional levels, and with senior management and technical staff.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to conceptualize and draft high-level strategic materials.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with fluency in English and Spanish required.

Professional experience:

Required: At least 10 years-15 years of combined national and international experience in public health and policy development in the Region of the Americas

Desired: Previous experience working with international financial institutions, and PAHO on related topics at a strategic level.

Education:

Required: A degree in health, public policy, or in any other field related to the functions of the post, and a master’s degree in public health or public policy development.

Desired: Postgraduate degree in public health and public policy development.

Languages:

Required: Fluent in written and spoken Spanish and English

Desired: Basic knowledge of Portuguese and French are a plus

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