PAHO Consultant - Event-based Surveillance

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.

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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

General responsibilities and deliverables:

Under the general supervision of the Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit Chief and direct supervision of the Advisor on Detection, Verification and Risk Assessment, the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Provide technical support for the implementation of activities under the entity's program of work, the PROTECT Project funded by the Pandemic Fund, and the application of the International Health Regulations (IHR).

b) Collaborate in the detection and verification of signals with the potential to cause a public health emergency of international concern, as part of IHR implementation.

c) Assist and facilitate the Organization’s epidemic intelligence function by reviewing current procedures and practices, identifying opportunities for improvement, and issuing recommendations.

d) Contribute to the review of procedures and content of daily reports on signals and events with the potential to cause a public health emergency of international concern, which are distributed to Member States; identify opportunities for improvement and issue recommendations.

e) Collaborate in reviewing the current weekly and monthly reports on signals and events under global monitoring, identifying opportunities for improvement, and issue recommendations.

f) Perform other related duties as assigned.

Product 1

Mass Gathering Event Intelligence Risk Assessment Report

Comprehensive pre-event and during-event Rapid Risk Assessment (RRA) analyzing public health threats associated with the mass gathering and how this mass gathering affect or could affect countries that are part of the PROTECT project. The report will assess risks related to communicable diseases, cross-border spread, seasonal patterns, and concurrent outbreaks, and will include recommendations for enhanced surveillance and preparedness measures before, during, and immediately after the event.

Due Date: 30 April 2026

Amount: $6,600.00

Product 2

Event-Specific SOP for Enhanced Surveillance and Signal Management

Development or adaptation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for signal detection, verification, and risk assessment during the mass gathering period. The SOP will define:

• Enhanced monitoring protocols

• Surge workflows

• Escalation criteria

• Coordination mechanisms with WHO HQ, host countries, and participating Member States

• Internal clearance and communication pathways

Due Date: 28 May 2026

Amount: $6,600.00

Product 3

Enhanced Monitoring and Daily Event Intelligence Performance Review

Analytical report evaluating the timeliness, completeness, and quality of daily signal detection and reporting during the event, focusing on countries that are part of the PROTECT project. The report will include performance metrics (e.g., time from signal detection to verification, verification to dissemination, and dissemination to IHR NFPs), with lessons learned and operational recommendations for future mass gatherings.

Due Date: 30 June 2026

Amount: $6,270.00

Product 4

Cross-Border and Multicountry Information Flow Mapping for the Mass Gathering

Technical mapping of information exchange mechanisms among host countries, participating countries, PAHO, focusing on countries participating in the PROTECT project, during the event period. The product will identify potential bottlenecks in verification, communication, and reporting processes and propose measures to strengthen interoperability and real-time coordination.

Due Date: 30 July 2026

Amount: $6,270.00

Product 5

Post-Event After-Action Review (AAR) and Strategic Lessons Learned Report

Comprehensive after-action review documenting:

• Surveillance performance

• Signal verification effectiveness

• Communication with IHR NFPs

• Stakeholder engagement

• Gaps and strengths in preparedness

The report will include strategic recommendations to enhance epidemic intelligence readiness for future mass gathering events in the Region.

Due Date: 31 August 2026

Amount: $7,260.00

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

EDUCATION
Essential: A Master’s degree in a health, social, or environmental science from a recognized institution.

Desirable: PhD in health science, public health or related discipline to emergency response.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum of nine years (9) of combined national and/or international experience in public health.

Desirable: Experience in or sound knowledge of PAHO and WHO processes for epidemic alert and response.

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 and Outlook.

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 / $314.00 daily cost

Expected duration: From the signature of the contract until 31 August 2026. This consultancy is expected to entail a full-time commitment.

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.