PAHO Consultant - Canada Project

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:

December 3, 2025

Closing Date:

December 9, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

ASD Office of the Assistant Director

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The Office of the Assistant Director (AD) supports the PAHO Director in the fulfilment of the Organization’s mission, as well as the achievement of the PAHO Strategic Plan. The Office also provides leadership and good governance for public health in the Americas and in the other regions of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Office of the Assistant Director is responsible for managing and coordinating the Closing the Gaps in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Project, which is supported by the Government of Canada, through its Department of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in the amount of CAD$15M to be implemented over the period 2026-2030. The Project will support the achievement of PAHO’s Strategic Plan (2026-2031) goals and outcomes, as well as PAHO’s Biennial Work Plan at both the regional and country office entity levels.

The Project is aligned and responds to Canada’s international development priorities in sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and adolescent health. It is focused in six priority countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, and Peru). The Office of the Assistant Director is seeking a consultant to support the Technical Advisor in the coordination of the communications-related elements of this Project for its initial planning phase as well as general communications support for the Office.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Technical Advisor, and the general supervision of the Assistant Director, the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following: 

.Disseminate Project communications plan and support communications focal points in Project countries in its implementation.

·       Liaise with communication focal points in Country Offices of participating Project countries and technical entities to support the preparation of communications products related to the Project to ensure consistent messaging and accuracy, in collaboration with CMU.

·       Create and/or support the production of visually compelling elements such as custom data visualizations, charts, interactive reports, and other materials whilst ensuring visual branding standards and donor acknowledgment.

·       Assist in managing internal communications with PAHO staff involved in the Project and with the various stakeholders of the Project. This includes the production of digital assets to share updates, lessons learnt and progress of the Project through internal communications channels in an engaging manner.

·       Lead activities to pilot communications-for-health evidence generation relating to main Project themes.

·      Support efforts to strengthen the visibility of the Office of the Assistant Director across internal and external audiences.

·      Support the Senior Advisor, Public Health Policy in the Office of the Assistant Director with communications efforts related to One Health, including developing content of advocacy materials, such as social media posts and good practices, that highlight the technical cooperation of PAHO in One Health, including intersectoral and inter-programmatic work.

·      Support the drawing and reporting of lessons learnt, and recommendations related to communication aspects of the Project for progress reports to donor.

Deliverables:

• Meetings held with communications focal points in Project countries to disseminate Plan
• Communications materials on the evaluation of the previous CAN Project
• Communications materials prepared to highlight work of the AD
• Proposal for communications for health pilot
• Communications materials prepared on One Health
• Report of communications for health pilot (partial implementation)
• Support planning of Project focal points meetings
• Communications materials prepared to highlight work of the AD
• Communications materials prepared on One Health
• Report of communications for health pilot (final)
• Communications products (press releases, notes, videos, infographics) on CGAPs Project
• Communications products (press releases, notes, videos, infographics) on CGAPs Project

Management & Reporting Requirements

Management:

The Consultant will:

• Be contracted by the Office of the Assistant Director at PAHO Headquarters in Washington DC, USA. Accordingly, her/his contract will be managed by this office, while working remotely.
• Be accountable to and directly report to the Technical Advisor, with a general supervision by the Assistant Director.
• Be responsible to fully carry out all tasks and activities towards attaining established project results. 

4.  Location and Duration

Duration:

The Consultancy will run from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2026.

Location of the assignment:

The Consultant will work from a remote location.

Travel:

The Consultant may be required to travel, as needed, to Project Countries particularly, to support the collection of audiovisual materials that will be used to generate communications products related to Project activities.  

5.  Qualification Requirements

Academic qualification:

University (first-level) degree in communications, media studies, journalism or related area. A Master’s degree in communications, behavioral science or related field is desirable.
 

Experience:

• Seven to nine years of progressively responsible experience in communications and public information, with demonstrated proven track record in communications, media production, journalism or related field.
• The consultant must possess demonstrated experience in the development and
  implementation of communication strategies for health development projects, and experience in working with communication and media partners in Latin America.
• Experience working in gender communication and/or sexual and reproductive health is desirable. Experience working with multilateral institutions is desirable. Experience working in a Executive Management Office desirable.

Technical skills: Strong communication skills in writing and editing content and designing communication and outreach materials for international organizations.

Competencies: Drive for results, capacity to communicate in culturally diverse contexts; Good level of Teamwork and working with people; analysis, synthesis; accountability; knowledge management; information management; demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other communications-related software programs will be an asset (Adobe, Canva).

Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish is required

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.