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:
January 16, 2026
Closing Date:
January 23, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location:
Off Site
Organization:
LNG Languages Team
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.
The Languages Team (LNG) promotes multilingualism in the Organization and contributes to promoting PAHO as a source of authoritative, quality multilingual documents. LNG provides multilingual expertise in support of technical cooperation and advises on multilingual projects; includes translation services, including linguistic clearance of final versions, in the four official languages of the Organization, as well as editing support; contributes to style guidelines and establishes official terminology; and develops and maintains computer-assisted tools for editing, translation, and terminology.
The English Translator/Reviser Consultant will support the Organization’s communications, documentation, and reporting needs by providing high-quality translation and revision services in English. This consultancy aims to ensure linguistic accuracy, consistency, and clarity in all English-language materials translated by the Organization. He/she oversees quality control for external contractors to ensure they adhere to PAHO style and terminology in English. He/she translates and revises a wide variety of technical and scientific texts from Spanish into English with precision and clarity, contributing to the Organization’s program of work, and collaborates with other LNG staff to ensure consistency across the official languages.
• Provide a description of the purpose of the consultancy here.
• To provide accurate and contextually appropriate English translations of documents, reports, and communications from other PAHO official languages.
• To revise and edit English texts to ensure clarity, correctness, and compliance with organizational standards.
• To contribute to the quality assurance of written materials in English, supporting effective internal and external communication.
• To contribute to terminology projects to ensure appropriate and consistent use of technical terms.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Translate documents, reports, presentations, and correspondence from Spanish (translating from French and Portuguese is a plus) into English, maintaining the meaning, style, and tone of the original texts.
Review, edit, and revise outsourced English translations for grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, consistency, and technical accuracy.
Ensure that all translated and revised materials meet the Organization’s standards for accuracy and quality.
Consult with subject matter experts to clarify terminology and context as needed.
Maintain confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information contained in documents.
Provide timely delivery of translation and revision assignments according to agreed deadlines.
Provide dedicated English translation and editing support and coordinate all language support needs for this language during Governing Bodies meetings.
Support terminology projects conducted by LNG.
Keep records of work completed and participate in feedback and quality assurance processes.
Deliverables:
- Accurate English translations of assigned documents, delivered in the required format and by specified deadlines.
- Revised and edited English texts ready for publication, distribution, or submission.
- Reports on completed assignments, including any challenges encountered and solutions proposed.
Duration and Location:
The consultancy is expected to commence on 16 February 2026 and conclude on 15 February 2027, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. The consultant will work remotely.
Qualification and Experience:
- Excellent idiomatic and technical command of English as mother tongue and thorough knowledge of Spanish. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, in translation, linguistics, modern languages, public health, or in any other field related to the functions of the position. A master’s degree in a relevant field is an asset.
- Demonstrated high level of expertise in English translation, revision, and editing.
- Full command of all the skills involved in preparing technical translations, including the use of terminology databases, electronic dictionaries, online research, and post-editing of machine-translated output.
- Familiarity with translation software and editing tools.
- Attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards.
Payment term:Compensation will be provided in accordance with the consultancy agreement, based on monthly deliverables. Payment terms, rates, and invoicing procedures will be specified in the contract.
Maximum Contract Amount: USD $ 75,360
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.