International PAHO Consultant - Strengthening National Immunization Program Competencies in the Americas (HPV, Hepatitis & Vector-Borne Vaccines)

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:

April 17, 2026

Closing Date:

April 24, 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).
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• Provide a description of the purpose of the consultancy here.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

CONSULTANT: STRENGTHENING THE COMPETENCIES OF NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMS IN COUNTRIES OF THE REGION OF THE AMERICAS in HPV, HEPATITIS AND VECTOR-BORNE VIRUS VACCINES

Purpose of consultancy:

Provide regional-level technical support and coordinate closely with PAHO/WHO country immunization focal points to strengthen technical and operational competencies of national EPI programs in the following vaccines: 1) HPV; 2) Hepatitis; 3) arthropod-borne virus as yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and malaria

Background:

The Comprehensive Immunization Program (CIM) promotes and coordinates technical cooperation to support Member States in achieving sustainable and equitable reductions in morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), as part of the commitment to health as a fundamental right. For more than four decades, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has positioned the Region of the Americas as a global leader in the elimination and control of VPDs, including smallpox, poliomyelitis, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, measles, and neonatal tetanus. Since its establishment in 1977, national immunization schedules have expanded from six vaccines to an average of more than sixteen, significantly increasing population protection.

Cervical cancer remains the third most frequent cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women in Latin America and the Caribbean, despite being largely preventable. The 2020 Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer established the 90-70-90 targets for 2030. In 2024, HPV vaccination coverage in the Region reached approximately 76% in girls by age 15; however, progress remains uneven and introduction is still pending in a few countries.

An estimated five million people in the Americas live with chronic hepatitis B, resulting in approximately 20,000 deaths annually. The EMTCT Plus initiative aims to reduce HBsAg prevalence among children aged 4–6 years to ≤0.1% through timely birth-dose vaccination, completion of the three-dose HepB series, and integration of hepatitis B interventions into maternal and child health services.

Vector-borne diseases continue to pose a significant public health threat in the Region. In 2025, increased yellow fever activity, including cases outside the Amazon basin, highlighted persistent immunity gaps. Countries must maintain at least 95% vaccination coverage in at-risk areas and ensure strategic vaccine reserves for routine immunization and outbreak response. Concurrently, recurrent dengue outbreaks represent a major regional challenge, requiring technical support for vaccine introduction in line with recommendations from SAGE, SAG, and GACVS.

Under resolution CD59.R13, “Reinvigorating immunization as a public good for universal health,” approved in 2021, CIM seeks to strengthen immunization program capacities through best practices and innovative approaches aligned with the six strategic lines of action of the Regional Immunization Action Plan 2030 (RIAP2030): governance and financing; coverage monitoring and surveillance with digital intelligence; integration into primary health care; strategic communication; human resource strengthening; and evidence-based decision-making.

Within the framework of the Disease Elimination Initiative, CIM proposes the hiring of an immunization consultant to support PAHO/WHO Country Office focal points in accelerating the elimination and control of vaccine-preventable and vector-borne diseases, including cervical cancer caused by HPV and perinatal hepatitis B transmission, while strengthening the technical and operational capacities of national teams.

Activities:

The selected consultant will provide technical support to the regional advisors that coordinates vaccination of HPV, Hepatitis and Arboviral Diseases within the PAHO Comprehensive Immunization Program in the following topics:

1. Technical cooperation on HPV vaccination

·     Provide technical support for the introduction, expansion, and sustainability of HPV vaccination, including single-dose and gender-neutral strategies.

·     Contribute to the monitoring of HPV vaccine coverage and equity gaps and provide technical guidance on strategies to improve vaccination coverage.

·     Support the development and adaptation of communication and social mobilization strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and strengthen public confidence.

·     Support the strengthening of coordination and collaboration with the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) to assist countries in developing national plans for the elimination of cervical cancer, within the framework of the Elimination Initiative.

·     Provide technical guidance for updating HPV guidelines for countries in the region.

2. Technical cooperation on hepatitis B vaccination

·     Provide technical support to improve coverage of the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB-BD and HepB3), with a focus on countries that have not yet met the regional EMTCT Plus targets.

·     Contribute to regional monitoring of HepB-BD and HepB3 indicators and progress toward elimination targets.

·     Support the documentation and dissemination of best practices and innovative approaches to accelerate the elimination of perinatal HBV transmission.

·     Support the strengthening of coordination and collaboration with the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE) to advance toward the regional EMTCT Plus targets.

3. Technical cooperation on Vaccine Preventable Vector Borne Diseases

·     Provide technical support for the introduction of the dengue vaccine.

·     Contribute to monitoring yellow fever vaccine coverage and provide technical guidance on strategies to improve vaccination coverage.

·     Support the strengthening of coordination and collaboration with the Department of Public Health Emergencies (PHE) and the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE) to advance regional goals for the elimination of yellow fever epidemics and the control of dengue.

·     Provide technical guidance for updating guidelines on vaccination against vector-borne diseases.

·     Support the review, analysis, and documentation of evidence regarding new vaccines, such as those for chikungunya and malaria.

4. Other functions related to technical issues concerning HPV, HepB, YF, and Dengue vaccines:

·     Provide technical support for the implementation of training workshops for countries in the region as needed.

·     Assist in the preparation of scientific articles and technical documents to share regional experiences and innovations in immunization strategies at the global level.

·     Assist in the development of technical reference materials, analytical reports, and presentations for the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.

·     Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages:

Education

Essential:

·     University degree in health sciences and specialization in public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, or related field.

Work experience

Essential:

·     At least seven years of professional experience combined national and international, and experience in immunization, including HPV or hepatitis-related work, and in designing and implementing vaccination strategies.

Technical Skills/Knowledge

·     General work attitude: Maintains integrity and clear ethical approach; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes its values; accountable to supervisor and country focal points; respectful and trusted by colleagues.

·     Respect and promote individual and cultural differences relate well to diversity; treat all people with dignity and respect; avoid stereotypes; consider others’ perspectives.

·     Teamwork: Collaborates and cooperates with others; works well with team members and counterparts; assists when requested.

·     Communication: Writes effectively and shares knowledge; drafts clear, structured, logical documents; supports development of guidelines and policies; shares relevant information openly.

·     Technology and information: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); desirable knowledge of statistical tools for epidemiological data collection and analysis.

·     Technical experience: Planning, organizing, implementing, supervising, monitoring, and evaluating routine and campaign vaccination activities.

Language

·     Fluent in Spanish or English, with working knowledge of the other language; Portuguese or French desirable.

Localization:

·     Given that this is a deliverable-based contract, the contractor may perform their duties from any location, as support will be provided through virtual sessions and electronic communications via PAHO’s official platforms.

·     Full-time availability, with valid travel documents to undertake work missions of 10 to 20 days in different countries of the region.

Payment rate:

·     This consultancy is Band B, P4 level.

·     Maximum daily rate: USD 314

How to apply:

·     When submitting your application, please upload your CV and Cover Letter.

Additional information:

·     Successful candidates will be included in the shortlist and may subsequently be chosen for consulting assignments that are in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the shortlist does not guarantee selection for a consultancy contract. There is no commitment by either party.

·     Only candidates who are being seriously considered will be contacted.

·     All applicants must complete an online profile to be considered for this consultancy. For the evaluation of your application, make sure that your profile on the PAHO Careers page is up to date; All experience records must include a detailed description of the tasks performed at the time.

·     A written test may be used as a method of selection.

·     If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, 3 professional reference letters from previous work experiences, including the full name of the contact person, telephone number and address or email, and a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO/WHO only considers higher education qualifications obtained from an accredited/recognized institution 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 via the following 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 on the WHED and will require individual review.

·     Any appointment or extension of appointment is subject to the PAHO/WHO Regulations and e-Manual.

·     For information about PAHO, please visit: http://www.paho.org

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.