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 26, 2026
Closing Date:
March 4, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location:
Off Site
Organization:
HEO Health Emergencies Office
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).
Position Title: Integral RCCE support for PIP and ORV consultant
Purpose of contract:
The purpose of this consultancy is to support countries in strengthening RCCE components within their pandemic preparedness and response plans and PIP Output 3 work plans.
Description of deliverables:
The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response Policy.
The consultant will support countries in strengthening RCCE components within their pandemic preparedness and response plans, provide ongoing technical follow up to facilitate the implementation of PIP Output 3 activities, and contribute to key technical products such as the RCCE national strategy guidelines and the development of the RCCE online course, while also assisting countries in evaluating and improving their respiratory virus preparedness frameworks.
General responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Communications Specialist, Emergencies and the general supervision of the RMC Team Lead, the consultant will perform the following functions:
Responsibilities:
The Consultant will perform their duties from his/her place of residence. When necessary, he/she will be asked to travel to technical cooperation missions in the region connected to the following objectives. In those instances, travel costs will be covered by PAHO.
1. Support the review and enhancement of RCCE components in national pandemic preparedness and response plans for influenza and other respiratory viruses.
• Review the RCCE or Community Protection sections of pandemic preparedness and response plans from several countries.
• Ensure recommendations are actionable and tailored to each country’s context and existing capacities.
2. Support the implementation of PIP Output 3 activities in 10 countries, and the PIP Output 3 workplan at the regional level.
• Provide technical follow-up to PIP focal points in-country to facilitate the proposal and implementation of Output 3 activities related to RCCE.
• Advise PIP countries on strategic and operational approaches to strengthen RCCE implementation, which can include attending Output 3 PIP-related activities.
3. Support countries with their RCCE national strategy guidelines. In particular, for Central American countries. This may entail designing and leading workshops or other support activities.
4. Support the revision and evaluation of the respiratory virus framework in the countries that request it and support other SARI-related RCCE technical cooperation activities (including those related to Burden of Influenza Disease, PISA and others).
• Guide countries in the evaluation of the RCCE component of the respiratory virus framework. This can entail accompanying missions to countries that request this technical cooperation activity, attending online preparation meetings, and preparing and guiding countries in the evaluation forms and methodologies required for this activity.
• Support technical cooperation activities related to the implementation of respiratory virus frameworks: BoID, PISA.
5. Coordinate with the external recommended vendor for the design of an online course on RCCE applied to preparedness and response to Influenza and other respiratory viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Deliverables and payment schedule
The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following products/services related to these responsibilities with input from the respective project manager, the Communications Specialist, Health emergencies.
1. Product 1:
Development of the consultancy workplan and timeline aligned with PIP Output 3 and RCCE strategy priorities.
Introductory coordination calls with PIP countries; submission of initial follow-up notes summarizing baseline status of Output 3 plans.
Initial review and planning of potential respiratory framework activities that require RCCE support.
Due date: 30 April 2026
2. Product 2:
Report on technical cooperation activities implemented: this may include workshops, webinars, etc.
Report on follow up with Central American countries on activities related to national RCCE strategies.
Progress report on RCCE online course design – expanded module content and draft storyboard.
Due date: 29 May 2026
3. Product 3:
Submission of final technical support notes for all 10 PIP countries on Output 3 RCCE activities.
Follow up on infodemic management license acquisition for respiratory viruses. Liaise with PRO and other admin entities to complete ToR.
Due date: 26 June 2026
4. Product 4:
Review of RCCE sections for pandemic preparedness plans; updated annotated documents with new inputs and adjustments.
Updated planning for respiratory framework evaluation activities, incorporating new country timelines.
Due date: 31 July 2026
5. Product 5:
Coordination calls and periodic follow-up reports with PIP countries.
Progress report on RCCE online course – integration of visual design elements or user flow.
Progress report on infodemic management license related activities
Due date: 28 August 2026
6. Product 6:
Continued review of RCCE sections with focus on final adjustments and cross-country patterns.
Updated coordination and follow-up reports with countries on Output 3.
Technical refinement of respiratory framework evaluation planning tools.
Progress report on online course – review of draft modules and feedback integration.
Due date: 30 September 2026
7. Product 7:
Review of RCCE sections for preparedness plans; near-final recommendations for countries.
Continued coordination calls and follow-up reporting with PIP countries.
Updated planning and logistics for respiratory framework evaluation activities.
Progress report on online course – near-final module content and prototype.
Due date: 30 October 2026
8. Product 8:
Final set of RCCE section reviews for preparedness plans; closing comments for collaboration with IHM.
Final monthly coordination calls and follow-up reports with PIP countries.
Final planning overview for respiratory framework evaluation activities.
Due date: 30 November 2026
9. Product 9:
Due date: 18 December 2026
Note 1: The consultant must provide the manager with a comprehensive technical report detailing all work carried out during the consultancy, which must be submitted before the final invoice to the project manager.
Note 2: The hiring of the selected candidate will be subject to the presentation of the following documents (Note: These documents are NOT required to apply to this position but will be required before a contract can be signed):
Copy of diploma and/or certificate(s)
Three letters of professional references that include the full name of the contact person, telephone number, and address or email.
Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages
Education requirements (Qualifications)
Essential: A university degree in Social Sciences, public health, or a related area from a recognized institution.
Experience requirements
Essential:
At least nine years of combined national and/or international experience in risk communication, community engagement, or related fields within the context of public health emergencies or health systems strengthening. Experience must include:
· Supporting the development, review, or implementation of national or regional risk communications strategies or plans.
· Providing technical assistance to Ministries of Health or similar institutions, particularly in the areas of pandemic preparedness and response.
· Designing or advising on communication products and message guides for infectious disease threats (e.g., influenza, yellow fever, avian influenza).
· Coordinating with multi-stakeholder teams and managing follow-up processes across multiple countries.
· Drafting technical documents and synthesizing recommendations aligned with global frameworks.
Languages:
Excellent Knowledge of English and Spanish required
Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract
Band/range/B/ $ 314.00 Daily rate.
Total amount: $ 57,462.00
Expected duration: From March 15 to December 18, 2026
Location: Off site
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.