International PAHO Consultant - Coordination of Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 Immunization

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:

March 18, 2026

Closing Date:

March 26, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

CIM Comprehensive Immunizations

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:

INTERNATIONAL PAHO CONSULTANT – Coordination of Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 immunization

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)

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

CIM Comprehensive Immunization

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).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

1. Background

The Special Program, Comprehensive Immunizations (CIM) seeks to promote and coordinate technical cooperation and alliances to support, as part of the guarantee of healthcare as a right to all, the efforts from the Member States to achieve the sustainable and equitable reduction of morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) through control and elimination strategies to improve the quality and life expectancy of towns in the Americas.

For over 40 years, the success of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has made the Region of the Americas a global leader in the elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), such as smallpox, polio, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, measles, and neonatal tetanus. Since the creation of the EPI in 1977, countries have moved from using six vaccines in their national vaccination schemes, to an average of more than 16 vaccines, which represents greater protection for the population.

Under the framework of the "Reinvigorating Immunization as a Public Good for Universal Health" resolution approved in 2021 by PAHO's Governing Bodies, CIM seeks to revitalize immunization programs in Member States through the application of innovative approaches and best practices and through six lines of action: strengthen governance, leadership, and financing of immunization programs; enhance monitoring of vaccine coverage and surveillance, incorporating digital intelligence strategies into routine analysis; strengthen the integration of immunization programs into the primary health care system toward universal health; develop innovative and strategic communication approaches to build social awareness and trust in vaccines and increase access to services; strengthen human resource capacities for immunization programs; and use scientific evidence to guide decision making and program implementation

2. Objective.

Support CIM in implementing, strengthening, monitoring, and evaluating influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccination in the Region of the Americas, as a critical component of public health efforts, enabling evidence-based decision-making, resource optimization, and effective disease control.

3. Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Executive Manager of CIM and the direct supervision of the Advisor for Immunization, the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Plan, coordinate and implement activities in countries and territories for strengthening seasonal influenza, COVID-19 and RSV vaccination and provide technical support for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine introduction in priority groups.

b) Coordinate the regional Network for the Evaluation of Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in Latin America and the Caribbean (REVELAC-i) to generate strategic information to guide decision making at regional and country level.

c) Develop reports to contribute to the vaccine strain selection for influenza vaccines through the evidence generated by REVELAC-I. Bi-annual submission of GIVE reports to the WHO committee for vaccine composition.

d) Liaise with the PAHO/PHE influenza surveillance team to increase collection of key variables for vaccine effectiveness and impact evaluations as part of SARI sentinel surveillance information systems including the regional FluID platform.

e) Provide guidance and support to countries for conducting Behavioural and Social Drivers (BeSD) studies for identifying factors related with acceptance of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines in priority groups.

f) Develop tools, resources and materials to strengthen immunization programs in the Region and for monitoring and evaluation of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV immunization and.

g) Coordinate the implementation of influenza and RSV immunization programs evaluations (i.e. Facilitated Assessment of Influenza Review -FAIR), post-introduction evaluations -PIE, etc.)

h) Coordinate a multi-institutional working group (PAHO, WHO and CDC) for conducting RSV vaccination impact assessment in PAHO/WHO countries. Develop a standardised methodology and tools for impact assessment of RSV vaccination.

i) Plan, coordinate and implement -in collaboration with PAHO/WHO countries- influenza pandemic preparedness activities in for strengthening their capacities for an effective deployment and vaccination.

j) Conduct simulation exercises for development or update the National Deployment and Vaccination Plans (NDVP) for pandemic influenza and ORV with pandemic potential.

k) Develop workplans, allocate resources and monitor activities to ensure effective implementation of activities for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV immunization.

l) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Education requirements

Essential: Advanced university degree in a health-related discipline (e.g., medicine, pharmacy, veterinary, etc.) from a recognized academic institution and a post-graduate degree in epidemiology, public health, health management, immunizations, etc.

Experience requirements

Essential: At least 15 years of demonstrated international experience in epidemiology of infectious diseases and/or immunizations.

Desirable: Experience in influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunization, in particular in vaccine effectiveness and impact assessments, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of immunization programs. Experience in Latin America and the Caribbean will be an asset.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French Portuguese would be an asset.

Payment and other useful information

Duration of the consultancy: 1 April to 31 December 2026. Future extensions are subject to performance and availability of funds.

The daily rate applied to this consultancy is USD 380 (Band C).

Location: Offsite (remotely)

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.