PAHO Consultant - HR Interventions to Strengthen the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce

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:

November 21, 2025

Closing Date:

December 1, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HSS Health Systems and Services

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, 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 (HR), healthy life course; the Virtual Campus of Public Health (VCPH), 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. Provides evidence and information on the 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. 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. 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.

The Nursing and Midwifery Program is part of the HR Unit's technical cooperation, recognizing the crucial role these professionals play in health systems. Nurses and midwives are key to disease prevention, health promotion, emergency response, and building resilient health systems. However, investments are needed in education, leadership, and service delivery for this workforce. The Policy on Health Workforce 2030 focuses on strengthening governance, promoting national human resources for health policies and plans, regulatory mechanisms, workforce capacity-building, and improving working conditions for health workers.

The planned technical cooperation actions for the Nursing and Midwifery Program are aligned with the strategic lines of the Health Workforce 2030 Policy and the biennial work plan of the HR Unit. It is expected that this consultancy will facilitate its implementation, making it more effective and timelier. The consultant will support the technical cooperation activities, according to the priorities outlined below.

Responsibilities

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

a. Support activities to strengthen national capacities for the introduction, expansion, and consolidation of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) roles.

b. Plan, develop, and evaluate activities to strengthen nursing and midwifery in the Region.

c. Participate in technical and coordination meetings with HSS country advisors and national authority teams in the countries of the Region.

d. Support the organization of the International Nurses Day (IND) celebration event (May 12, 2026).

e. Prepare activity reports, technical documents, and communication materials.

f. Work inter-programmatically and collaboratively with other PAHO partners.

g. Support activities related to the Policy on Health Workforce 2030.

h. Prepare consulting reports.

i. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Specific products/deliverables expected

1. Strengthen national capacities for the introduction, expansion, and consolidation of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) roles.

Products/deliverables:

• 1.1. Technical report summarizing the results of the operational research conducted to identify core nursing competencies in primary health care (PHC) and analyze the regulatory framework for nursing professionals in selected countries. Due Date: February 27th, 2026.

• 1.2. Technical document providing a comprehensive guide for implementing the APN role, integrating three interrelated dimensions—education (curricula and competencies), regulation (norms and scope of practice), and labor insertion (practice models and work environments). Due Date: April 30th, 2026.

• 1.3. Report documenting the design, implementation, and evaluation of a pilot intervention to implement APN in selected PHC units, emphasizing interprofessional practice and the use of nursing clinical protocols. Due Date: July 6th, 2026.

2. Plan, develop, and evaluate activities to strengthen nursing and midwifery in the Region.

Products/deliverables:

• 2.1. Draft of a National Strategic Nursing Plan for a selected country, including recommendations and a proposed strategic framework aligned with PAHO’s Policy on the Health Workforce 2030. Due Date: April 30th, 2026.

• 2.2. Report summarizing the organization, content, and outcomes of the International Nurses Day (May 12th, 2026) event, highlighting achievements, country participation, and advocacy messages. Due Date: July 6th, 2026.

• 2.3. Development of a regional reference document compiling strategic guidance, evidence, and best practices for strengthening nursing and midwifery across the Region. The document should serve as a tool for governments, regulators, academic institutions, and professional associations, aligned with the Policy on the Health Workforce 2030 strategic lines. Due Date: July 6th, 2026.

Qualifications

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

• 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 PowerPoint and Word.

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

• Experience working in multicultural environments.

Professional experience:

Required: At least five years of combined national and international experience in the fields of nursing and midwifery education, health planning, project management, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields.

Desired:

• Training and experience in project management, and the development of technical documents, health policy briefs, and guidelines.

• Previous experience collaborating with an international organization or equivalent experience.

Education:

Required: Bachelor´s degree in nursing, health sciences, or in any other field related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.

Desired: Master´s degree in Nursing, Public Health, Midwifery or related disciplines.

Languages:

Required: Fluent in written and spoken Spanish and English.

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

Duration:

January 12th, 2026, to July 13th, 2026 (renewable based on performance and funds available)

IPC Band:

Band A

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Amount:

USD 24,000.00/installment per product (To be paid in three installments, the first corresponding to 25% of the total payment to be made on March 6th, 2026, upon delivery and acceptance of product 1.1; and 35% of the total payment to be made on May 8th, 2026, upon delivery and acceptance of product 1.2 and 1.3; and 40% of the total payment to be made on July 13th, 2026, upon delivery and acceptance of product 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3).

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.