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:

November 7, 2025

Closing Date:

November 23, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HIM Health Emergencies Information and Risk Assessment

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Purpose of contract:
Within PHE, the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit focuses on data collection, verification, database management, data analysis and risk assessment. The information gathered through HIM helps in PHE”s response to natural disaster events and epidemic disease events of potential public health concern. Currently, the HIM Unit focuses its efforts in providing the most accurate data and analysis.

Objectives of the Department:
The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response Policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

General responsibilities and deliverables:

Under the direct supervision of the Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit Chief. The consultant is responsible for supporting international communication and coordination mechanisms under the International Health Regulations (IHR), the INFOSAN Network, and PulseNet, with a focus on event-related communication and early warning. The consultant will deliver the following products and services:

1. Assessment Report: Functionality and Responsiveness of IHR National Focal Points

Objective: Evaluate the operational capacity and timeliness of IHR NFPs in maintaining 24/7 communication readiness.
Description: Conduct the 2026 regional IHR communication test, analyzing response times, accuracy, and communication protocols.
Deliverable:

• Comprehensive report detailing methodology, results, key gaps, and recommendations for strengthening IHR NFP functionality and inter-sectoral coordination.

2. Verification Report: INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points Annual Confirmation

Objective: Confirm operational readiness and contact validity of INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points across Member States during 2026.
Description: Coordinate with national INFOSAN EMERGENCY focal points to verify the accuracy of designated contacts and ensure alignment with national IHR structures.
Deliverable:

• 2026 Annual report summarizing confirmation outcomes, trends, and proposed actions to improve data accuracy and responsiveness.

 

3. Mapping and Confirmation Report: PulseNet and PAHOGen Contact Points

Objective: Update and verify the operational contact lists and response protocols of PulseNet and PAHOGen laboratories in the Region.
Description: Conduct a regional mapping of national network representatives, validating contact information and operational readiness.
Deliverable:

• Consolidated report of updated contact lists, institutional affiliations, and readiness assessments, identifying overlaps and communication bottlenecks across networks.

 

4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Communication Flowcharts

Objective: Support the implementation of standardized procedures and visual workflows to guide inter-network communication during public health event detection and notification.
Description: Generic SOPs defining information-sharing responsibilities between IHR NFPs, INFOSAN, PulseNet, and other laboratory networks, complemented by flowcharts illustrating communication chains.
Deliverable:

• Operational package including Generic SOPs, visual flowcharts, and templates for urgent communication and event notification under IHR.

5. Simulation Exercise Report: Testing SOPs and Communication Pathways

Objective: Test and validate SOPs and flowcharts through a cross-network simulation exercise.
Description: Design and conduct a simulation involving IHR NFPs, PulseNet laboratories, INFOSAN contacts, and other partners to test timeliness, interoperability, and data-sharing efficiency.
Deliverable:

• Exercise report summarizing design, execution, participant feedback, and lessons learned with actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.

 

6. Synthesis Report: Early Warning and Event Management under INFOSAN EMERGENCY Contact Point and IHR Regional Contact Point

Objective: Produce a consolidated regional synthesis of events notified and signal verified both, under IHR and INFOSAN EMERGENCY Contact Point.
Description: Synthetize the main events that pose international public health treats during the first semester of 2026, aligning with PAHO’s Collaborative Surveillance Framework.
Deliverable:

• Comprehensive synthesis report on public health events detected and confirmed during the first semester of 2026.

Deliverables payment schedule

# Product description

1 Deliverable

Due Date 28 Feb 2026

Amount $4,000.00

2 Deliverable

Due Date 31 Mar 2026

Amount $4,400.00

3 Deliverable

Due Date 30 Apr 2026

Amount $4,400.00

4 Deliverable

Due Date 31 May 2026

Amount $4,200.00

5 Deliverable

Due Date 30 Jun 2026

Amount $4,400.00

6 Deliverable

Due Date 31 Jul 2026

Amount $4,600.00

Total $26,000.00

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

EDUCATION
Essential: A bachelor”s degree in Public or International Relations, Law, Business Management, Administration, or a related field from a recognized institution.

EXPERIENCE
Essential: Minimum of five (5) of combined professional experience in event management, logistics coordination, Secretariat, and institutional relations, ideally within an international organization of public health context.

Desirable: Demonstrated experience working in or with multilateral institutions (e.g., WHO, UN agencies) and government entities. Familiarity with PAHO/WHO procedures and protocol is a strong asset.

 

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE SKILLS

IT Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize tools and software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook, ArcGIS, QGIS and R.

Language and level required
Excellent written and spoken English (and/or Spanish); working knowledge of Spanish (or English). Working knowledge of French or Portuguese would be an asset.

Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract

Band/range: A / $200.00 daily cost

Expected duration: From 1 February to 31 July 2026.

Location: Off site

Relocation required: No

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