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:
April 15, 2026
Closing Date:
April 30, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location:
Off Site
Organization:
DHE Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity
Schedule:
Part time
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
Objectives:
The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen national and regional capacities to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to heat related health risks by supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of heat health interventions, and by leveraging the PAHO/WHO Heat Health Hub as a regional platform for evidence, coordination, capacity strengthening, and technical cooperation.
Scope of work:
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor, Climate Change and Health, the consultant will undertake the following:
• Support the design, refinement, and operationalization of Heat Health Early Warning Systems (HHEWS), including thresholds, triggers, and communication protocols.
• Provide technical inputs for the development, updating, and implementation of Heat Health Action Plans (HHAPs) in selected Member States.
• Support the analysis of meteorological, epidemiological, and environmental data to inform risk thresholds and response actions in Member States
• Support Member States in adapting and applying Heat Health Hub resources for national and subnational implementation
• Support development of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks for heat health interventions.
• Facilitate coordination between PAHO, Ministries of Health, National Meteorological Services, and other partners.
• Support development of training materials and e-learning modules on heat health
• Organize and support technical meetings, workshops, and capacity building activities (virtual and in person) in collaboration with the Hub.
• Contribute to regional knowledge exchange platforms and communities of practice.
• Coordinate and facilitate regional knowledge‑exchange activities through the Heat Health Hub, including webinars, peer‑learning sessions, and communities of practice.
• Develop case studies, implementation notes, and lessons learned for publication on the Heat Health Hub.
• Promote use of the Heat Health Hub as a regional platform for multisectoral engagement.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Deliverables & Payment:
The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following products/services with input from the project manager
1. 30 July 2026
A report including - a workplan; an overview of national/subnational heat‑health risks; analysis of populations in situations of vulnerability and exposure pathways; review of existing policies, surveillance systems, and institutional capacities; assessment of meteorological–health data availability and gaps; support provided to the heat-health hub; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
2. 22 September 2026
A report including – a summary of current HHEWS status in the countries/region; Recommended thresholds, triggers, and alert levels; Communication protocols and risk messaging templates; Alignment with PAHO guidance and Heat Health Hub resources; engagement activities with the Heat Health hub; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
3. 16 November 2026
A report including - the components of a draft Heat health action plan (HHAP) for at least 3 countries, including governance structure and coordination mechanisms;heat‑health risk assessment findings; Surveillance and monitoring recommendations; Communication and community engagement strategies; Linkages to Heat Health Hub; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
4. 16 November 2026
A mid-year progress report including – a summary of activities completed in the first six months; Progress against workplan milestones; Country‑level technical cooperation delivered; Heat Health Hub contributions (content, webinars, case studies); Challenges encountered and mitigation measures; Updated priorities for the second half of the consultancy; Annexes (meeting notes, training materials, Hub analytics); participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
5. 25 January 2027
A report including - Description of the heat‑health interventions or processes implemented in selected countries; Key achievements and enabling factors; challenges, barriers, and mitigation strategies; Evidence of impact or early results; Lessons learned applicable to other LAC countries; Recommendations for scaling up or adaptation; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
6. 30 March 2027
Final consultancy report including - overview of consultancy objectives and scope of work; Summary of technical cooperation provided to Member States; Contributions to the Heat Health Hub (content, coordination, etc); Key achievements across HHAPs, HHEWS, training, and knowledge products; Analysis of regional trends and emerging needs in heat‑health;
Recommendations for PAHO’s future work and strategic positioning (in alignment with the Hub); Annexes (full list of deliverables, tools developed, Hub engagement summary); publication on state of heat-health; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
7. 14 May 2027
Final consultancy report including - overview of consultancy objectives and scope of work; Summary of technical cooperation provided to Member States; Contributions to the Heat Health Hub (content, coordination, etc); Key achievements across HHAPs, HHEWS, training, and knowledge products; Analysis of regional trends and emerging needs in heat‑health;
Recommendations for PAHO’s future work and strategic positioning (in alignment with the Hub); Annexes (full list of deliverables, tools developed, Hub engagement summary); publication on state of heat-health; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
Language and level required:
Language Level required
English: X Fluent/working knowledge
Spanish: X Fluent/working knowledge
Remuneration, band level range, and expected duration of contract:
Remuneration: $ 37,680
Band Range: Band B
Expected Duration: 1 June 2026- 31 May 2027
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.