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:

December 5, 2025

Closing Date:

December 16, 2025, 11:59 PM Guyana Time

Primary Location:

Georgetown, Guyana

Organization:

GUY Guyana

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:

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY:

PAHO/WHO requires a national consultant to provide technical support to mental health programs and suicide prevention initiatives in the Guyana Country office. The consultant will support the improvement of governance and coordination of mental health promotion and suicide prevention efforts and strengthen the capacity of health systems to prevent and respond to mental disorders and suicidal behaviors.

BACKGROUND:

Given the high and rising suicide rates in the Region of the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has obtained funding to provide scaled up technical support to three countries (Guyana, Suriname and Brazil), as part of a regional Suicide Prevention Initiative, with the goal of reducing suicide mortality through evidence-informed interventions. The initiative will aim to create a much-needed transformation in leadership and governance for suicide prevention to achieve impactful and sustainable long-term reductions in suicide mortality.

This initiative will focus on addressing the urgent need for suicide prevention and improved mental health care, especially among vulnerable populations. It will aim to improve clinical pathways for identifying, diagnosing, and treating at-risk individuals, while ensuring adherence to care and follow-up, ensuring a continuum of support. It will support countries in building networks that link healthcare systems, particularly mental health services, with communities, through community and civil society organizations.

PAHO/WHO Guyana Country Office has worked closely with the Ministry of Health, Government of Guyana to provide support for the implementation of programs outlined in the National Mental Health Action Plan and National Suicide Prevention Plan 2024-2030. Over the past five years PAHO has supported the passing of polices, laws, strategic and action plans in support of mental health and suicide prevention Guyana. PAHO has also supported the implementation of WHO evidenced-based programs and the integration of mental health into primary care. This initiative will allow PAHO to continue that support.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

The consultant will be expected to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance systems to enhance mental health and suicide prevention programs. These activities form an integral part of a continuous quality improvement cycle. The work will also involve facilitating and monitoring programs aimed at increasing access to and improving the quality of mental health care across all levels of care with a focus on primary care. The consultant will also be expected to collaborate with communications specialists to support public awareness campaigns and the development and dissemination of communication materials.“Include summary of terms of reference (TORs) and attach full description of ToRs”

OBJECTIVES
Objective 1: Strengthen multisectoral actions plans and governance structures for mental health disorders and suicide prevention
1.1 Support the national Mental Health Unit in developing regional coordination teams with mental health and suicide prevention competency
1.1.1 Deliverable 1: Concept note, agenda and budget plan for Implementation workshop for teams from all 10 regions
1.1.2 Deliverable 2: Twice yearly status reports on regional coordination implementation
1.2 Support the phased implementation of the national suicide surveillance system through the delivery of training and revision of training materials for data collection, quality assurance, and data analysis
1.2.1 Deliverable: Report on two suicide surveillance prevention training sessions delivered
1.2.2 Deliverable: Revised suicide surveillance training materials

Objective 2. Support programmes aimed at increasing access to and improving the quality of mental health care across all levels of health care
2.1 Develop/strengthen standardized protocols and clinical pathways, including telehealth when feasible, to ensure routine screening, assessment, clinical management and follow-up as well as referrals for suicide and self-harm
2.1.1 Deliverable: Standardised clinical protocol/pathway for assessment, risk evaluation, safety planning and follow-up for mental health and self-harm
2.2 Support training to (1) specialised mhGAP providers in the implementation of mhGAP (2) non-specialised health workers on the WHO mhGAP intervention guide
2.2.1 Deliverable: Report on planning and delivery of at least two WHO mhGAP trainings for non-specialised health workers
2.3 Support training to community gatekeepers to strengthen mental health response, substance use management, suicide and self-harm prevention and surveillance
2.3.1 Deliverable: Concept note, training agenda, budget plan and quarterly reports for gatekeepers workshops in ten regions
2.3.2 Deliverable: Twice yearly reports on the status of the impact of the gatekeepers initiative
Objective 3: Support capacity building and programmatic initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and reducing stigma associated with suicide
3.1 Collaborate with national media professions bodies/universities/collaborating centres to strengthen national reporting guidelines
3.1.1 Deliverable: Concept note, budget, report on national consultation meeting on reporting guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS
1. Education
• Essential: First degree in medicine or related field and a postgraduate degree in public health, psychology or related field.
• Desirable: A degree with a focus on mental health would be an asset

2. Experience
• Essential: Previous experience of at least 5 years at the national and international levels in projects/programs management focused on integrated, people-centred health services and care and Mental Health
• Desirable: Experience working in mental health care in primary care or community settings would be an asset

3. Skills and Knowledge
• Essential:
o Ability to use vital statistics and core health indicators to generate evidence about the health situation of the population and vulnerable and at-risk groups.
o Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software for developing presentations and reports
o Excellent coordination, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
o Knowledge and skills and previous engagements with mental health and suicide prevention programs and tools are necessary
Desirable:
• Excellent project management skills; working knowledge of relevant data and mapping software

4. Competencies:
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Producing results
• Communication
• Ensuring effective use of resources
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Languages: Exceptionally good knowledge of written and spoken English.

LOCATION AND DURATION OF CONSULTANCY:
The position will be for one year, from January 12, 2026, to December 31, 2026 with the possibility of extension for an additional year subject to satisfactory performance. The successful candidate will work on-site in the PAHO Guyana Country Office.

REMUNERATION
This position will be within Pay Band B for National PAHO Consultants in the sum of G$600,000.00. The total payment for the consultancy will be determined according to the successful candidate’s qualifications.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
Payments will be made with approval by the Project Manager of the deliverables outlined below:

No Date Payment (GYD) Deliverables
1 February 20% • Concept note, agenda and budget plan

for Implementation workshop for teams

from all 10 regions
• Concept note, training agenda and budget

plan for gatekeepers workshops in one re

gion
2 April 15% • 1st of twice-yearly status report on

regional coordination teams
• 1st of twice-yearly reports on implementa

tion of the gatekeepers suicide support

3 June 15% • Standardized clinical protocol/pathway for

assessment, risk evaluation, safety planning

and follow-up
• Report on two suicide surveillance preve

-ntion training sessions delivered
4 August 15% • Report on planning and delivery of at least

two WHO mhGAP trainings for non-specialized health workers
• Revised suicide surveillance training materials

5 October 15% • 2nd of Twice-yearly status report on regional

coordination teams
• 2nd of twice-yearly reports on implementation

of the gatekeepers suicide support
6 December 20% •Concept note, budget, report on national consultation meeting on reporting guidelines

PROJECT MANAGER: Natasha Sobers-Grannum, Advisor, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health

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.