"PAHO Consultant - Human Resources for Health"

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 24, 2026

Closing Date:

March 4, 2026, 11:59 PM Suriname Time

Primary Location:

Paramaribo, Suriname

Organization:

SUR Suriname

Schedule:

Part time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

This requisition is for a consultancy at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Provide a short description of the objective of the office/department here.
• Provide a description of the purpose of the consultancy here.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

1. Background

Suriname, like many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, is facing dynamic shifts in its health

sector landscape due to demographic changes, the epidemiological transition, climate-related

vulnerabilities, and health system transformation. These changes are creating new demands for a

responsive, equitable, and resilient health workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed

structural weaknesses and emphasized the urgent need to build stronger, more adaptable health systems

capable of addressing both routine and emergent health challenges.

Human Resources for Health (HRH) remains a critical pillar in achieving Universal Health Coverage

(UHC) and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3. Suriname is

currently operating with an up-to-date HRH policy framework that does not fully address the complex

realities of health service delivery today — including workforce distribution, migration, retention,

training, and capacity development.

In response, the Ministry of Health of Suriname, with technical cooperation from the Pan American

Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), seeks to develop a new, comprehensive

Human Resources for Health Policy and a plan of action for the period 2026–2030. This policy will align

with the country's health sector transformation goals, the CARICOM Regional Strategic Framework, and

global best practices such as PAHO’s "Policy on the Health Workforce 2030" and the WHO’s "Global

Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030."

2. Objective

1. To develop a comprehensive Human Resources for Health Policy for Suriname for the period

2026–2030.

2. To assess the current status, gaps, and priorities within the national health workforce.

3. To propose strategic directions, policy options, and implementation mechanisms that strengthen

HRH governance, production, deployment, and retention.

4. Develop a Plan of Action to support implementation.

5. To integrate principles of equity, gender-responsiveness, climate resilience, and health system

sustainability into HRH policy planning.

6. Create mechanisms to monitor, evaluate, and adjust the HRH Plan over the specified period

3. Scope of Work

The development of the HRH policy and plan of action is imperative to support the country's health sector goals. To ensure the success of this plan, the following key points should be considered:

Evidence-based Approach: Insights gathered from various sources, including recent pandemics and

assessment of Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) capacity, should inform the development of the HRH policy and plan. This ensures that the plan is responsive to current and emerging health challenges, thereby enhancing its relevance and effectiveness. It is essential to take into account the technical documents published by the WHO and PAHO. These documents include PAHO "Policy on the Health Workforce 2030: Strengthening Human Resources for Health to Achieve Resilient Health Systems," the "Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030" and the “Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021-2025"

Capacity Building: The policy and plan should include provisions for capacity building initiatives aimed at strengthening the skills and competencies of the healthcare workforce, particularly in areas identified as priorities through the gap analysis of EPHF capacity.

The consultancy will consist of the following tasks:

Document Review

• Review national health plans, workforce reports, strategic frameworks, and existing HRH-related

documents.

• Review regional and international HRH guidance (e.g., WHO, PAHO, CARICOM).

Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct interviews, consultations, and workshops with key stakeholders including government,

healthcare providers, professional councils, training institutions, labor unions, civil society, and

development partners.

HRH Situation Analysis

• Analyze workforce composition, distribution, skills mix, and migration trends.

• Evaluate education and training pipelines and regulatory frameworks.

• Assess labor market dynamics and projections for health workforce needs.

SWOT and Gap Analysis

• Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify internal and external factors impacting HRH development.

• Highlight key policy and implementation gaps.

Policy Development

• Draft a comprehensive HRH Policy with vision, guiding principles, policy objectives, and

strategic directions.

• Drafting of a plan of action to strengthen HRH in Suriname

• Outline governance, financing, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Validation and Finalization

• Present draft policy to stakeholders for feedback and validation.

• Revise and finalize policy based on validation input.

4. Deliverables and timelines:

Note: All deliverables must be submitted in English and in editable digital formats.

Key Deliverables: Due Date %

• Inception Report – 2 weeks after signing of contract 10%

including methodology,

timeline, and stakeholder

engagement plan.

• HRH Situation Analysis 6 weeks after signing of the contract 20%

Report – summarizing

findings from data review

and consultations.

• Draft HRH Policy and Plan 12 weeks after signing of contract 30%

of Action 2026–2030 – with

clear strategic objectives,

action areas, and

implementation framework.

• Final HRH Policy 16 weeks after the signing of the contract 40%

Document – incorporating

stakeholder validation and

technical revisions.

5.Duration of the Consultancy

The contract duration is expected to be 4 months from signing.

6.Responsibilities

Service Contractor

• Conduct all assessments, facilitate stakeholder processes, and develop draft and final policy

documents.

• Coordinate closely with the Ministry of Health and PAHO.

Ministry of Health, Suriname

• Provide access to data, relevant contacts, and facilitate coordination with stakeholders.

PAHO/WHO

• Provide technical guidance, review drafts, and support quality assurance.

7. Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in public health, health policy, human resources for health, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in HRH policy development, health system planning, or health

workforce research.

• Familiarity with Caribbean health systems and international HRH frameworks.

• Experience in multi-stakeholder consultation and participatory policy development.

Skills

• Strong analytical, facilitation, and writing skills.

• Proficiency in English (Dutch and/or Sranan Tongo an asset).

• Ability to produce formatted, publication-ready documents.

8. Ownership

All products and other materials resulting from this contract is the property of PAHO and subject to the

rules and regulations governing copyrights. The Service Contractor(s) may not use the completed

products without the explicit written consent of PAHO.

The service contractor shall treat all information obtained during the consultancy as confidential and shall

not disclose it to any third party without prior consent.

9. Reporting

The consultant will report directly to the Advisor, Health Systems and Services at the PAHO/WHO

Country Office in Suriname, with regular coordination and engagement with the HRH Coordinator in

the Ministry of Health.

Total Contract amount: USD 27,632,=

The incumbent will be required to do the mandatory training.

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.