PAHO Consultant - Health Labor Market Analysis (HLMA)

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 12, 2026

Closing Date:

January 20, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HSS Health Systems and Services

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Background

The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services is to strengthen health
systems based on Primary Health Care, to support the transformation of national health systems to
improve equity and resilience, strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC), and address the relevant issues
related to human resources as health systems move towards the achievement of Universal Health. Its
work encompasses the following areas: integrated services delivery, strengthening of health systems
governance and stewardship; developing efficient and equitable financial mechanisms to ensure
adequate public funding of the health system; human resources for health, healthy life course; the
Virtual Campus of Public Health, Women´s, Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Unit Background

The Human Resources for Health (HSS/HR) Unit is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and implementing the Organization's technical cooperation to strengthen human resources for health (HRH) for resilient health systems. The HSS/HR Unit supports the implementation of strategies and plans to improve the availability, distribution, and quality of the health workforce, strengthen governance, and promote national policies and plans for HRH. It provides evidence and information on HRH, using standardized indicators and tools to develop or strengthen HRH information systems, and analyzes the health labor market for strategic HRH planning and forecasting. Its promotes the development and consolidation of regulatory mechanisms related to HRH that take into account the quality of health workforce training, scope of practice, and legal and remuneration frameworks. It also promotes the strengthening of interprofessional practice by providing evidence, tools, and support for the formation of interprofessional teams and their integration into integrated PHC-based health services networks. The Unit supports the education and training of the workforce to address population health priorities and public health emergency preparedness and response; develops and implements policies and measures to promote decent work for health workers and ensure their physical and mental protection; and assists countries in the recruitment, deployment, protection, and retention of health workers, particularly in remote, rural, and underserved areas.

Background of consultancy

Progress toward universal health access and universal health coverage in the Region of the Americas is hindered by the lack of an adequate, competent, and fit-for-purpose health workforce capable of delivering equitable, high-quality services that are accessible to the entire population. The Health Labor Market Analysis (HLMA) is a key component of a package of interventions that can be used for this purpose. This consultancy aims to provide technical assistance to develop the Health Labor Market (HLMA) process in selected countries and build national capacity. It also supports the design of a virtual course on the HLMA in coordination with the HSS/HR and Virtual Campus of Public Health (VCPH).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Unit Chief of Human Resources for Health of PAHO/WHO Dr. E. Benjamin Puertas, the consultant is expected to:

a. Develop a work plan, schedule, methodology, and tools to reach the targets of the consultation.

b. Develop concept notes (CN) that include background information, purpose of the activity, and expected results.

c. Participate in technical and coordination meetings with the HRH technical team.

d. Participate in technical and coordination meetings with HSS country advisors (Jamaica and Dominican Republic).

e. Preparation of consulting reports.

f. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Specific products/deliverables expected

1. Provide technical cooperation for the development of HLMA in prioritized countries (To be confirmed: Jamaica and Dominican Republic) that request assistance.

• 1.1 Report on the process of team socialization and immersion of the HLMA tool in one prioritized country: Jamaica. This includes starting the process, assistance in the conformation of the technical working group, time planning for the HLMA process, and assistance in the design of the TORs for consultants.

  Due date: March 30th, 2026.

• 1.2 Intermediate report on technical assistance in Phase 2, design and development of TOR for consultants conducting an in-depth HLMA, as a part of the ongoing country process.

  Due date: May 29th, 2026.

• 1.3 Final report on initial implementation of Phase 1 of the HLMA in the country starting the process (review of products of consultant for quality assurance, desk review of relevant policies, data sources and mapping of actors) and advances in phase 2 of country continuing the process (review of consultant products for quality assurance).

  Due date: July 24th, 2026.

2. Provide support for the implementation and promotion of the introductory self-learning course on HLMA in coordination with the Virtual Campus of Public Health (VCPH).

• 2.1 Initial report on the mounting, testing, and adjusting, in coordination with the VCPH, of the developed content (all the modules) for the HLMA introductory course.

  Due date: March 30th, 2026.

• 2.2 Intermediate report on the promotion and launch of the HLMA introductory course and organization of a regional webinar for the South American and Central American subregions, to disseminate the course among technical staff and other interested parties.

  Due date: May 29th, 2026.

• 2.3 Final report on the progress of the usage of the course and, from feedback collected from registered users in coordination with the VCPH, propose improvements and adjustments for future versions.

  Due date: July 24th, 2026.

3. Technical assistance for the edition and design of the HLMA country profiles reports in countries from the Caribbean and Central American sub-regions, and for the development of regional consolidated reports and presentations (dissemination material) based on HLM country profiles from SAM, CRB, and CAM.

• 3.1 Report on the complete edited and designed drafts for publication process in Pubtrack for CRB and CAM HLM country profiles.

  Due date: March 30th, 2016.

• 3.2 Intermediate report on the progress in Pubtrack for CRB and CAM reports. Drafts of consolidated products and presentations for SAM, CRB and CAM HLM country profiles.

  Due date: May 29th, 2026.

• 3.3 Final report on the completed publication in Pubtrack for CRB and CAM country profiles and final documents and presentations of consolidated regional products in HLM.

  Due date: July 24th, 2026.

4. Technical assistance to identify opportunities for complementarities, reach, scale, validation and implementation of the HSS/HR unit’s tools and instruments to integrate and potentiate technical cooperation in the countries of the Region.

• 4.1 Report on the results of the characterization of the Unit's available tools and instruments about purpose, stage of development, implementation, characteristics (scope and scale) and other relevant features.

  Due date: March 30th, 2026.

• 4.2 Intermediate report on the opportunities for integration based on complementarities of the unit's tools and their features in scale and scope.

  Due date: May 29th, 2026.

• 4.3 Final report with recommendations for the integrated application of HSS/HR tools and instruments in specific regional contexts.

  Due date: July 24th, 2026.

• 4.4 Report on technical cooperation provided for the validation and implementation of tools in selected countries to strengthen HRH.

  Due date: July 24th, 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in research, policy implementation, and design.

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with strong attention to details.

• Strong motivation and organizational and management skills.

• Capable of being proactive when the situation requires.

• Advanced knowledge in the use of Excel and other data analytical tools, as well as Power Point, and Word

• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a diverse, team-oriented environment.

• Experience working in multicultural environments.

Professional experience:

• Required: At least three - five years of experience in topics related to labor market analysis, health economy, HRH planning or health systems.

  Experience in multi-disciplinary labor market and employment analysis.

• Desirable: Experience in health labor market.

Education:

• Required: A university degree in health, economics or economics.

• Desired: Master's degree in any area of economics.

Languages:

• Required: Fluency in written and oral English (advanced) and Spanish (Expert).

• Desired: Basic knowledge of Portuguese and French are a plus.

Estimated Duration: February 2nd, 2026 to July 31st, 2026.

IPC Band: Band A.

Time Type: Full time, 40 hours/week.

Estimated Contract Amount: USD 22,500 paid in installments.

Payment Schedule and Deliverables

• First Installment: $5,625 on April 6th, 2026, for delivery of 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, and 4.1.

• Second Installment: $7,875 on June 5th, 2026, for delivery of 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, and 4.2.

• Third Installment: $9,000 on July 31st, 2026, for delivery of 1.3, 2.3, 3.3, 4.3, and 4.4.

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.