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:
February 27, 2026
Closing Date:
March 8, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location:
Off Site
Organization:
HIM Health Emergencies Information and Risk Assessment
Schedule:
Full time
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
Purpose of contract:
Within PHE, the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit focuses on data collection, verification, database management, data analysis and risk assessment. The information gathered through HIM helps in PHE's response to natural disaster events and epidemic disease events of potential public health concern. Currently, the HIM Unit focuses its efforts in providing the most accurate data and analysis.
The purpose of the consultancy is to position a regional resource dedicated to supporting the Event Based Surveillance implementation with a special focus on Community Event based Surveillance (CEBS), both, at PAHO and in Member States through the implementation and adoption of public health intelligence frameworks and tools.
Objectives of the Department:
The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response Policy.
The Detection, Verification and Risk Assessment working group (DVA) is responsible for the detection, verification, assessment and follow up of acute public health events for epidemic intelligence and event management. One of the current activities being led by the DVA team is the Epidemic intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) initiative.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
General responsibilities and deliverables:
Under the general supervision of the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment Unit Chief (PHE/HIM), and the direct supervision of the team lead of Detection, Verification and Risk Assessment unit (DVA), the incumbent is responsible for supporting the development of regional EBS–CEBS integration frameworks, methodological guidance, training modules, quality assessments of community signals, lessons‑learned syntheses, and performance indicators to strengthen community‑based contributions to early detection and epidemic intelligence. The consultant will deliver the following products and services:
***Products for initial contract upon signature to 31 August 2026.***
1. EBS–CEBS Integration Framework
Deliverable: Technical document describing how to align regional event‑based surveillance (EBS) with community‑level early‑warning mechanisms.
Due Date: 31 March 2026
Amount: $5,160.00
2. Methodological Guide for Incorporating Community Signals
Deliverable: Technical proposal to standardize the integration of information originating from community networks into regional epidemic‑intelligence workflows.
Due Date: 29 April 2026
Amount: $5,418.00
3. Training Module on Detection and Triage of Community Signals
Deliverable: Development of training materials (presentation, practical exercises, and technical notes) for capacity‑building in event‑based surveillance and CEBS.
Due Date: 31 May 2026
Amount: $5,676.00
4. Quarterly Report on the Quality Assessment of Community Signals
Deliverable: Analysis of the sensitivity, timeliness, and usefulness of signals from community networks compared with other sources.
Due Date: 30 June 2026
Amount: $5,676.00
5. Lessons‑Learned Document on CEBS–EBS Integration
Deliverable: Synthesis of best practices and challenges related to incorporating community‑based surveillance into regional early‑warning systems.
Due Date: 31 July 2026
Amount: $5,934.00
6.Proposed Indicators to Measure CEBS Performance in Early Detection
Deliverable: Set of indicators aligned with the IHR and epidemic‑intelligence frameworks to assess CEBS contributions to early detection.
Due Date: 30 August 2026
Amount: $5,160.00
Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages
Education requirements (Qualifications)
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in any of the health, social sciences, or related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: Advanced (Masters level or higher) university degree in epidemiology, public health, international/global health or related field OR a degree (undergraduate level or higher) in epidemiology, public health or related field.
Experience requirements
Essential: At least 7 years of combined national and international experience in surveillance, event-based-surveillance, epidemic intelligence.
Desirable: Experience in detection, verification, alert and response and International Health Regulations (IHR-2005) are significant assets.
Technical knowledge skills
IT Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize tools and software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook, ArcGIS / QGIS and R.
Language and level required
Excellent written and spoken English (and/or Spanish); working knowledge of Spanish (or English). Working knowledge of French or Portuguese would be an asset.
Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract
Band/range: B / $258.00 daily cost
Expected duration: From the signature of the contract to 31-Aug-26.
Location: Off site
Relocation required: No
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.