PAHO Consultant - Innovation, Access to Medicines and Health Technologies (IMT)

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 - National PAHO Consultant

Job Posting:

November 20, 2025

Closing Date:

December 1, 2025, 11:59 PM Guyana Time

Primary Location:

Georgetown, Guyana

Organization:

GUY Guyana

Schedule:

Full 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:

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY:                     

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) seeks a national consultant to support the Government of Guyana’s efforts to enhance access to innovative medicines and health technologies. This includes advancing the adoption, regulation, and responsible use of medical products and services to improve health care delivery. The consultant will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health’s Materials Management Unit, the Government Analyst–Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), and health facilities across Guyana in implementing the activities outlined in this Terms of Reference.

BACKGROUND:

The PAHO/WHO has long supported national regulatory authorities and regional partners in strengthening regulatory systems for medicines and health products, ensuring their quality, safety, and efficacy. The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guyana has been actively reforming the national medicines regulatory system, with efforts focused on modernizing regulations, enhancing the capacity of the Food and Drug Department, and positioning Guyana as a regional hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution.

 

With PAHO/WHO’s support, the MOH has drafted a new Drug Act designed to guarantee the safety, effectiveness, and quality of medicines and vaccines imported into or produced within Guyana. Recognizing the importance of aligning with international standards, the MOH requested PAHO’s technical support to assess the GA-FDD using the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT). This assessment, completed in 2024, led to the development of a comprehensive Institutional Development Plan aimed at strengthening the GA-FDD’s regulatory functions and processes.

 

Guyana is also expanding its capacity in specialized health services. The passage of the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Act (2022) established the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Agency (HOATTA) and enabled the certification of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as a kidney transplant center. In addition, the country is modernizing its blood services by introducing automated processing systems and developing tailored blood components to enhance the availability of safe blood supplies.

 

This consultancy will contribute to PAHO/WHO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Guyana’s institutional capacity for regulating medicines, vaccines, health technologies, and specialized services, thereby advancing the country’s health care system.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Under the direct supervision of the PAHO-Guyana Advisor, Health Systems and Services, the consultant will provide expert technical assistance in advancing the regulation of innovation, medicines and technologies (IMT), including:
•
Reviewing and updating existing legislation and policies governing medical product regulation.
•
Updating of the Essential Medicines List, promoting rational drug use, and prevention of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
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Evaluating and strengthening regulatory frameworks and manuals for the registration and licensing of medical products.
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Enhancing pharmacovigilance systems for medicines, vaccines, and medical devices, including post-marketing surveillance.
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Building national capacity for the inspection and regulation of manufacturing plants, as well as the evaluation of medical products and services to ensure their safety, quality, and efficacy.
•
Strengthening laboratory quality management systems and processes to support lot release testing and clinical trials.
•
Developing training programs to enhance human resource capacity in regulatory functions.
•
Supporting capacity building in specialized services, including organ donation, transplantation, and blood safety, along with other IMT-related activities.
OBJECTIVES:
Objective 1: Strengthen the capacity of the GA-FDD to implement recommendations from the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Assessment.
•
Activity: Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to develop a two-year operational plan for implementing GA-FDD’s Institutional Development Plan (IDP), which was created based on the WHO GBT Assessment.
o
Deliverable: A draft operational plan for the GA-FDD’s IDP implementation, including clear timelines, assigned responsibilities, and required resources.
Objective 2: Strengthen national medicines regulatory systems and processes by supporting the rollout and implementation of improved regulations.
•
Activity: Support the Ministry of Health in developing operational tools and processes necessary for the rollout of the new regulations.
o
Deliverables:
▪
Draft harmonized guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and protocols aligned with the new regulations.
▪
Draft revised or newly developed official government forms for use in regulatory processes.
▪
Updated Essential Medicines List
Objective 3: Strengthen the MOH’s capacity in pharmacovigilance to monitor drug safety, detect adverse drug reactions, and report findings to the WHO global platform.
•
Activity: Support the GA-FDD in conducting pharmacovigilance training for health professionals across Guyana’s ten administrative regions.
o
Deliverable:
o
A comprehensive training package on pharmacovigilance
o
A detailed training plan for health professionals.
Objective 4: Provide technical support to Guyana’s organ transplant program Activities:
o
Support the Ministry of Health and HOATTA in organizing a workshop on organ donation.
o
Support the Ministry of Health and HOATTA in conducting training sessions for media personnel and faith leaders to raise awareness about organ donation and reporting.
o
Deliverables:
▪
A detailed training plan including potential participants, logistics, and timelines.
▪
Training report on organ donation and transplant.
Objective 5: Provide technical support to the blood transfusion services to strengthen services to ensure safe blood donation and usage.
•
Activity: Support the Ministry of Health in developing a five-year strategic plan for blood transfusion services.
o
Deliverable: Concept notes and an action plan for the development of a strategic plan for blood services in Guyana
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Education
Essential: Advanced degree in pharmacy, public health, laboratory or other health regulatory sciences.
2. Experience
Essential: Five years of professional experience in public health with particular emphasis on pharmaceutical systems, medicine quality assurance and regulation, health products supply-chain management, and access to medicine.
Desirable: Prior experience in reviewing and drafting legislation and regulatory policies for medicine and healthcare services. Prior experience working with regulatory authorities or providing support to national medicine regulatory authorities highly preferred.
3. Skills and Knowledge
Essential:
• Strong technical writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Excellent coordination, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to engage a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Project management skills and the ability to deliver results efficiently.
Desirable:
• Maturity, judgment, and skills to navigate complex political processes such asregulatory reform.
4. Competencies:
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Producing results
• Communication
• Ensuring effective use of resources
• Moving forward in a changing environment
5 Languages:
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English
 

LOCATION AND DURATION OF CONSULTANCY: The assignment will be based in Georgetown, Guyana Country Office with octagonal within Guyana. The contract is initially for 12 months from 5 January 2026 to 4 January 2027, with a possibility of extension for a maximum of 48 months including the initial contract period subject to availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and the continued need for the position.

REMUNERATION This position will be within Pay B for National PAHO Consultants, and the total payment will be GYD$ 7,200,000.00.

PROJECT MANAGER:

Dr. Garoma Denbeli, Advisor, Health Systems and Services

PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Payments will be made with approval by the Project Manager of the deliverables outlined below:

No Date Payment Deliverables

1 Feb 28, 2026 20% • Training package on pharmacovigilance and a

detailed training plan for health professionals.

2 April 30,2026 20% • Draft operational plan to implement activities

identified in the GA-FDD’s Institutional
Development Plan, with clear timelines,
responsibilities, and resources.

3 June 30, 2026 20% • A comprehensive training plan on organ

donation and reporting with the list of potential

participants, logistics needed, and timeline

/schedule.
• Training report on organ donation and trans

plant.

4 Sept 15, 2026 20% • Concept notes and an action plan for the

development of strategic plan for blood

services in Guyana
• Revised or new official government forms for

medicine regulation developed based on the

new regulatory process.

5 Dec 15, 2026 20% • Revised or new official government forms for

medicine regulation developed based on the

new regulatory process.
• Draft harmonized guidelines, standard

operating procedures, protocols developed

based on the new regulations.
TOTAL 100%

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.